Conwy Archives: Buzzing about National Insect Week
If you hear buzzing, it’s because we’re entering Insect Week, a time to think about the interesting impacts insects have on our lives. Here at Conwy Archives, although we wouldn’t welcome any in as guests, we do have a better relationship to bees than you might expect. This is due to the seven-hundred-year-old Conwy Honey Fair, and the tradition of local beekeeping that supports it. The archive holds several collections related to the Honey Fair, dating back – sadly not the full seven hundred years! – throughout Conwy’s history.
There must be something special about Conwy bees (and beekeepers) as honey hailing from here has always been popular, enjoyed by everyone from town residents, to King Edward 1st himself[1], who was recorded as purchasing honey from the area. The fair has always attracted large crowds throughout the years, becoming a hive of activity as the stalls are set up.
This picture, showing the fair in Rosehill Street during the late 1960s, really gives you a feel for the size of the crowd drawn in by the promise of Conwy honey.
This photo, taken in 1965, lets us see the famous Welsh honey that has brought everyone out to the fair that day.
However, the stars are still the bees themselves, and you can take a look at the hardworking creatures in these photos from August of 1956. The pictures show beekeepers (known as gwenynwyr in Welsh) extracting honey from their hives, while a team of insects hover overhead.
©Conwy Archive Service
Although more than a few generations of bees have come and gone since these photos were taken, their descendants today are no doubt just as talented tiny honey makers as ever, and one of Conwy town’s favourite traditions rests on their stripy backs.