OBITUARIES
Richard Sherwood
We remember two valuable members of the Bedfordshire Beekeepers' Association who died
recently within a week of each other
IAN BEATY ALAN SUNMAN Bob Hammond in November
1976 whilst he was1940–2008 1929–2008
Chairman and also acting
On Sunday 5 October, eight On 12 October Bedfordshire as Secretary. At that
days short of his 68th Beekeepers’ Association lost meeting Alan was elected
birthday, Ian Beaty lost his a second eminent member Chairman and myself as
fight for life in St John’s when Alan Sunman passed Secretary.
Hospice, near Bedford. He peacefully away with his Alan was a great help as I
leaves behind wife Val, family around him. He never had much idea what
daughter Laura, son-in-law leaves behind wife Anne, was required of me! He was
Alan and three daughter Mary and three very articulate, had a skilful
grandchildren. sons Phillip, Anthony and use of words and a sharp
Simon. Our sincereHe also leaves a 30-year wit, never being lost for a
condolences are with themlegacy of dedication to the reply. I recall he gained my
at this sad time. Executive Committee of the for the Kempston area. Ian admiration when he steered
Bedfordshire Beekeepers’ was Treasurer for four years Alan had survived Ian Beaty us safely through a couple
Association. Honorary and not long afterwards by seven days. These seven of difficult Annual General
membership was bestowed took up the secretarial pen days dealt a severe blow to Meetings.
upon him earlier this year again in 2005. our association on the loss In 1986 he accepted the
when his failing health of these two men who Presidency from Wilfred Ruff
forced him to stand down as Some years back he attended contributed so much in the and I recall him stating how
General Secretary, a post he a skep-making course run by shaping of policies over the honoured he was to receive
had held for four years. George Hawthor ne. He was past 30 or so years. it. He remained President
soon instructing ourIt was in 1975 that Ian In 1965 Alan and Anne until 1992 when he handed
association members at theenrolled onto a beginners’ moved to Bedfordshire over to Lt Col Robert Porter.
many courses he ran. Thebeekeeping course run by where he was appointed as
skeps he made were excellent Alan was elected threeRobert Hammond, NDB, who a teacher at Arnold School
and regularly won first prizes times as Chairman – 1977at that time was County in Barton. Later he moved
at the National Honey Show. to 1984, 1988 to 1994 andBees Officer and Chairman to Brooklands School in
He kept several colonies in 2002 to 2004, a total of 15of the Bedfordshire Leighton Buzzard where he
skeps which he used for years. As the holder of theBeekeepers’ Association. became Deputy Headmaster
demonstrating ‘Driving Bees’ Intermediate Certificate heand from where he took
It was not long before Bob at open days at his out- gave lectures to membersearly retirement. He was a
realised how keen Ian was apiaries. wishing to sit the exam. HeSchool Governor, loved
and recruited him onto the never missed an AGM evenHe was a member of the music, local history,
Committee as an Elected when out of office and IBee Farmers and of North gardening and, of course,
Representative. He was later looked forward to seeingBuckinghamshire beekeeping.
to become Librarian, Show him there for a chat. Beekeepers’ Association.
Secretary and Apiary Manager. Alan joined the association I feel I was very fortunate to
in 1968 and within a yearWhen a Trading Sub- So all in all it was a have met and worked with
found himself Secretary inCommittee was formed he pleasure to have known Alan. I feel sure he had
which post he continuedasked to be on it and and worked with Ian but his many other attributes in
until 1971. remained so up to the last. passing leaves a deep hole other spheres of his life but
He ran beginners’ courses, to us in Bedfordshire – we I first met Alan at an without question we in
organising the practical owe so much to him. RIP. Emergency Meeting held in Bedfordshire Beekeepers’
sessions as well as There was no funeral as he Brooklands School, Leighton Association recognise his
lecturing. Another role he donated his body to Buzzard. The meeting had past contribution and
took on was District Adviser medical research. been called on the death of dedication. RIP.
Bee Craft digital January 2009 Page 41
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