Members of the Hive
Sharon Jervis, Artist & Founder
Sharon has spent many years painting as a miniaturist in watercolour, and finds her inspiration from her close relationship with the natural world. During her childhood she developed a passion for birds and a love of drawing. She has painted for the gift trade as a commercial illustrator for the past 25 years. Recently Sharon’s love of wildlife through her bird watching connected her to completing an MA in Contemporary Art. Her research area became the plight of the honeybee and it was on a trip to Romania that the idea for beefayre was born.
Sam Gandy, Sharon's son, went to Romania with her, to the foothills of Transylvania, to meet beekeepers and document their practice. They discovered an ancient tradition of bee keeping there and beautifully pure honey, pollen and propolis. Sam has had a lifelong interest in wildlife and Insects. As a toddler he preferred a stick to poke under stones to reveal bugs than he ever did conventional toys! He studied BSc Physical Geography at the University of Leicester and completed his thesis in honey analysis, comparing British and Romanian honeys. He has since completed a Masters degree at Imperial College London in Entomology and is now working on a PhD on termites at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen.
Chris Ward, Creative Director
Chris is an established freelance designer, stylist and magazine publisher. Chris is responsible for beefayre‘s image, designing all the packaging, website and marketing materials. In his spare time he is a keen photographer and digital artist. He has also recently become a new beekeeper of the beefayre hives in East Farndon!
Bex Hewetson, Sales and Market Director
After a ten year career in London raising money for film finance, Bex decided to trade city life for country living and the green fields of Northamptonshire. Sheis now passionately learning about bees and their habitats and enjoying marketing the beefayre products and developing the online side of the business.
Alyxandra Weston, Account Manager
Alyx has a varied role which involves looking after our trade customers and their orders as well as the invoicing and accounts. Having spent her childhood at Farndon Grange, she had an early education on wildlife and bees, a passion which has translated well into working life. This year, she hopes to make her first visit to Transylvania and learn more about the plight of the honeybee.
Stephanie Neathway, Fulfilment
Steph is our newest member of the team and manages the stock room and sending out all the orders. She is invaluable in setting up the stands at the trade exhibitions and expert at dealing with the menagerie of animals that live in the Farndon Grange wildlife sanctury!
