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David last spoke to NSBKA a year ago. He is widely known among beekeepers for his blog site ‘The Apiarist ’ through which he shares his scientific exploration of the craft of beekeeping. He is also Professor of Virology at St Andrews University. David keeps bees in Fife and Lochaber, not for agricultural or commercial purposes (though he does sell some bees, queens and honey), but because beekeeping is an engrossing hobby that allows him to work outdoors, to be just a little bit self-sufficient, to indulge his interest in photography and to spend long hours making things from bits of wood during the winter. This talk covers topics as diverse as recycled For Sale signs, the number of jars of honey it takes to pay for a Toyota Hilux (and how to move hives slightly more economically), foundationless frames and wasp-resistant hive entrances. It is an entertaining look at some of the things that either aren’t available commercially, or that can be built at home both better and cheaper. None of the items discussed require any specialist, expensive (or even power) tools . . . though a pizza cutter will come in useful. Several of the items described have won prizes in beekeeping shows (for readers of The Apiarist, unfortunately not for David). This talk is intended to convince you that the bees don’t need fancy woodwork, and to inspire you to build something yourself.