16-year-old Martham beekeeper's passion for bees and honey

When he was nine, he was stung while visiting a bee display at the Royal Norfolk Show.

While there, members of the Norfolk Beekeeping Association gave him a fresh batch of honey and told him more about the lives of bees and all the effort that goes into maintaining them.

And now the 16-year-old beekeeper from Martham has represented England at an international meeting for beekeepers in Slovenia.

Cullen Brown tending to one his bee hives. Picture - Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)

From that first sting, Cullen began researching the insects online and saved up for his first hive at the age of 15.

"Ever since I can remember, I've just loved bees," Cullen said.

"I've been stung a few times, but you get to understand how bees behave and you see just how important they are in helping produce the food we eat."

Cullen Brown holding one of the queens from his hives. Picture - CJBee Honey (Image: CJBee Honey)

Housing his hives in the "bee corner" of his grandparents' garden and more at Colman's Farm in Ormesby, Cullen continued to develop his knowledge and skills.

It was not long until he was recognised by the British Beekeepers Association and invited to the International Meeting of Young Beekeepers in Slovenia in July.

At the event, Cullen was shown traditional methods for marking queens, housing hives and keeping bees happy.

Cullen Brown in front of some of his hives. Picture - Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)

"My next goal is to have 50 hives," he said.

"I really like rearing queens and making sure the colonies have enough food for the winter.

"But I love the honey side of it."

Cullen said the money he raises through selling honey at Colman's Farm Shop goes directly back into making his goal of having 50 hives a reality.

Cullen Brown, with his mother Lisa, by some of his new hives. Picture - Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Cullen's mother, Lisa Brown, said it has been amazing to see her son follow his passion for beekeeping.

"I thought it was a phase at first," she said.

"But I'm very proud of how much work and energy he has put into this. As a family, we've all learnt so much from Cullen's beekeeping and it would be great to see more young people take it up.

"Looking after bees has such a huge positive effect on local farm produce and all the food we eat."

For more information on Cullen's beekeeping, visit CJBee Honey on Facebook or Cullen's Big Bee Fundraiser on JustGiving.

CJBee Honey on sale at Colman's Farm Shop. Picture - CJBee Honey (Image: CJBee Honey)