A practical book for new beekeepers and those interested in keeping their own bees, explaining everything they need to know to get started. It also covers how to make your garden attractive for bees.

Roger Patterson started keeping bees in 1963 as a 15-year-old, soon after the hard winter of 1962/3. He became a committee member of his local Beekeepers' Association (BKA) at the age of 17, chairman at 23 and county chairman at 25. At one stage he kept 130 colonies. He is a practical beekeeper, concentrating on the basics and keeping things simple. He manages the local BKA apiary where there are usually 20-25 colonies for instruction. He has been a demonstrator and lecturer for well over 35 years, and believes beekeeping should be fun.