During a recent episode of the BBC programme Countryfile, presenter Adam Henson shared an emotional story that resonated with viewers. The segment focused on the finalists for the Young Countryside Champion award, part of the upcoming BBC Food & Farming Awards 2025. Among the finalists was beekeeper Dafydd Pett, a 22-year-old from Bridgend, whose heartfelt dedication to beekeeping emerged after a personal loss.
In introducing the finalists, Henson explained, “Back in June, we asked you to put forward a Young Countryside Champion for the BBC Food and Farming Awards 2025.” The award recognizes young individuals making significant contributions to the UK countryside. Henson continued, “From all the brilliant nominees, we’ve had to narrow it down to just three finalists. So let’s find out more about those who made the shortlist.”
Dafydd Pett’s journey into beekeeping began at the age of 11, inspired by his grandfather. He recounted, “My grandfather first got me into beekeeping when I was 11 years old. At first, it was just one day a weekend, and then we ended up spending the whole weekend together doing the beekeeping. At that time, I completely fell in love with it.”
Tragedy struck in 2017 when Pett’s grandfather passed away. The loss was profound, particularly as no other family members shared his grandfather’s passion for bees. Pett reflected, “If I didn’t take them on at 14 years of age, they would have been abandoned, and that’s not what my grandfather would have wanted.” This responsibility instilled a sense of purpose in him.
Opening his first hive without his grandfather was daunting. “The first time I opened the hive, I’ll be completely honest, I lost some confidence because I didn’t have my grandfather. I kind of stepped up and just thought to just get stuck in and run them the way that my grandfather would have wanted them to be run,” Pett shared. His determination to continue his grandfather’s legacy speaks to the deep emotional connection he has to beekeeping.
Pett emphasized the importance of beekeeping not only for personal pride but also for environmental impact. “I knew that having those bees made a positive impact on our ecosystem. It made me feel really proud,” he said.
The segment on Countryfile highlighted the vital role that young individuals like Pett play in promoting sustainability and preserving traditional practices in agriculture. With passionate advocates like him, the future of beekeeping in Wales appears promising.
For those interested in following Pett’s journey and the other finalists, BBC Countryfile is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
