Telling the bees about Philip

Philip McCabe 1945-2018

It was a shock for the beekeeping world to learn of the untimely death of Philip McCabe, President of Apimondia, the World Federation of Beekeepers Associations. Philip died in Ireland in late October. Apimondia chose 7 December, the day celebrated in many nations as St Ambrose’s day, as a fitting day for a memorial for Philip.

Philip was a third generation beekeeper, well known in Ireland as a beekeeping lecturer, eventually becoming President of the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations in 2002. Philip stepped into the international beekeeping world by masterminding the 2005 Apimondia Congress in Dublin – a highly successful event. Organising this Congress sparked Philip’s interest in Apimondia – a venerable organisation with a long and complex history, and indeed by 2015 he had become its President! Philip was building an international network of beekeeping contacts by whom he was highly regarded. It was my pleasure to work with Philip during these years. He was a man gifted with phenomenal energy, who began tirelessly travelling and presenting Apimondia across the globe. People quickly warmed to Philip for he was always interested, always courteous, always striving to achieve the very best for beekeepers and for Apimondia.

In the run up to the Dublin Congress – and to create publicity for the event – Philip decided to attempt the World Bee Beard Record. He took the chance to raise sponsorship for an Irish charity and Bees for Development too. The world’s press assembled on the appointed June day, as Philip stood in front of them dressed only in goggles and underpants! His carefully prepared bees were persuaded to assemble upon him. Watching this I began to appreciate Philip’s confidence and verve!

As President of Apimondia, Philip was just getting into his stride, achieving good prospects for the organisation. Under his leadership last October’s Congress in Istanbul was an immense success. When beekeepers from many diverse cultures assemble, there are the inevitable communication challenges, and Philip showed his diplomatic skills – eager always to see everyone’s contentment. We will miss him.

Telling the bees: The illustration above shows the custom whereby families must inform their bees of births, marriages and deaths. In the picture, Grandma is telling the bees that her husband, the beekeeper has died. She has arrived a little early in the evening and while placing some black material, has annoyed one bee which has lodged in Maude’s hair! Sister Hannah looks on with supressed merriment.

Picture reproduced with kind permission from Mr David Charles

Nicola Bradbear Director, Bees for Development