Backyard Hives to National Spotlight: Our Founder Dafydd Pett on BBC Countryfile

A Sweet Moment to Celebrate

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news: I, Dafydd Pett, founder of The Welsh Honey Company, have been named a national finalist in the prestigious BBC Food & Farming Awards category – the Young Countryside Champion Award, which will be featured on BBC One’s Countryfile this Sunday at 17:20.

It’s a moment of real pride for our family-run company, our bees, and our entire Welsh honey community.

How it All Began: From 1969 to Today

The story starts in 1969, when my grandfather, Mike Pett, began beekeeping in his back garden in South Wales. At age 11 I was given my first hive, and in 2017, when my grandfather passed away, I inherited around 30 hives – a turning point that led to the creation of The Welsh Honey Company.

Since then we’ve grown – not just in volume but in purpose. The hives are more than honey producers: they’re guardians of Welsh biodiversity, pollinators of our landscape, and a living link to tradition.

Why the Young Countryside Champion Recognition Matters

The Young Countryside Champion Award celebrates young people making a difference in rural life. Being shortlisted affirms that our work – producing premium Welsh honey, promoting sustainable beekeeping, and engaging communities – is being seen.

For us, it’s not just about the honey: it’s about inspiring others (especially younger people) to engage with nature, understand the role of bees, and appreciate the countryside. We hope our journey will ignite more interest in beekeeping, honey production and the environment.

Tune In – Sunday at 17:20 on BBC One

Set your watch for Sunday at 17:20 on BBC One, when Countryfile will feature the finalists for the Young Countryside Champion Award. I’ll be representing The Welsh Honey Company and talking about what we do, why it matters, and how we envision the future of Welsh honey.

Whether you’re a beekeeper, nature-lover, or just love good honey, I’d love you to watch and share. It’s a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on Wales, Welsh honey, and the countryside.

What This Means for The Welsh Honey Company

• Raising awareness: More people will hear about our raw, ethically-kept Welsh honey – the kind made by Welsh bees, in Welsh landscapes, using sustainable methods.

• Supporting growth: With increased visibility, we hope to expand our reach – into more shops, more homes, more honey lovers.

• Reinforcing our values: We always keep one foot firmly in tradition (bees, hives, natural extraction) and another in innovation (digital marketing, online shop, community outreach).

• Inspiring the next generation: Young beekeepers, future farmers, environmental advocates – we’re committed to helping them find their voice.

Join Us – Celebrate, Share, Support

Here’s how you can help:

• Watch the show on Sunday at 17:20 on BBC One to catch our segment.

• Share this blog post or our social posts with friends & family who care about honey, nature, and Wales.

• Visit our website www.welsh-honey.uk to browse our honey range, learn about our process, or sign up for our newsletter.

• Think green: Buy local, support sustainable honey, spread the word about the importance of bees in our countryside.

Final Thought

From my grandfather’s hobby hives to being a national finalist for the Young Countryside Champion Award, this has been an incredible journey. None of it happens without our bees, our team, our customers, and our commitment to the Welsh landscape.

Thank you for being part of it. Let’s keep the buzz going.

Warmest regards,

Dafydd Pett

Owner & Beekeeper – The Welsh Honey Company www.welsh-honey.uk