Alison's adventure in beekeeping began in 1998, when she returned to the UK after working as a Legal Executive in Singapore. She saw a poster advertising a talk being given by John Hamer, then took his theory course at Merrist Wood and practical course at the Blackhorse Apiary. Ambitiously, she started her first hive with a swarm collected from a apple tree. She has worked as the Company Secretary and Administrator for Bee Craft magazine. Alison is particularly interested in trying out different uses for the surplus beeswax (beeswax soap making being a favourite project) and the role that bees and other insects play in the environment. In August 2000 she appeared as 'the beekeeper' on Channel 4 television's Post Modern Pastimes. She is currently collecting material for a book about Plants for Bees, Butterflies, and Birds, and lives in Godalming.