Doug Purdie’s East Sydney terrace holds many secrets. Downstairs, the walls are lined with crime novels spanning over four bookshelves in the darkness amongst the large tubs of honey. The honey has been produced by the many beehives that can be found on Sydney’s best restaurants rooftops. Upstairs – the light tumbles in through the arched windows onto a side reading room. The rooftop balcony reveals a family of bees working hard to produce honey amongst the hustle and bustle of the city. Doug is an urban apiarist (beekeeper) who has learnt everything he knows about his intriguing  profession through his love of books. 

My knowledge has always come from reading books instead of  a classroom environment –  I left school very young.  I started  reading and researching about bees three – four years ago. Research led me to the issues that are affecting  bees around the world and it inspired me to let people know that bees are under threat. We are one of the only countries in the entire world without the issues others are dealing with but we need to be prepared. The Varroa mite has not managed to get to us because of our isolation but  eventually it will find its way here and then there will be major problems. Bees are incredibly important to our environment  and in life and without them we are be in trouble. Within the last year people are starting to get it.

I have every bee book known to man – I have this classic collection upstairs and more downstairs. At the moment there are no other bee books I want to collect – I have really got the all ones I want for now. The Clemson was the hardest to get and my copy is irreplaceable. 

ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture by A.I.Root – The bible of beekeeping into its 41st edition now – although mine is the 31st and was published  in 1959.

Honey and Pollen Flora by Alan Clemson –This book is indispensible in checking the trees around prospective hive sites to see exactly what’s going to be in the honey.

Bee Keeping Naturally  by Michael Bush – A no nonsense book with many ideas that challenge the norm for beekeeping. A good book to refer to when looking for a balanced view when looking for a solution.

The Honey and Pollen Flora of NSW by  W.A. Good Acre (published 1938) – A very useful book showing tree species across NSW from beekeepers eyes of the day and include lost of anecdotal notes.

I will read anything but I enjoy reading crime novels, history  and history based novels.  I enjoy cooking so  I collect a lot of cookbooks. Within Dougs cookbook collection is a dusty copy of  Patrica Cornwell’s  Food to die for: Secrets from Kay Scarpetta’s Kitchen.

We also discover  a copy of an airconditioning manual – Instead of taking it in to get fixed I actually just bought the manual and fixed it myself.  Revealing a stint in film –  American Cinematographer manual by Charles G Clarke makes an appearance.

Even though I love  and read a lot of books I have crossed over to a kindle for my  crime novels.  I think it is more ecological sound to read novels that are basically throw aways on a e-reader. I have passed on hundreds of books and I will be giving away my collection downstairs to make room. 

Books I know I will re-read – I buy to keep. 

Sitting within the vast crime and history  collection is a row of beautiful hard-covered books that have followed Doug from his childhood into adulthood. As a child I would read the World Encyclopedia in bed  from about the age of six. My mum would  always find me propped up in bed with my books.

The Three Commanders by W.H.G Kingston

The Air Patrol by Herbit Staring

Peter the Whaler by W.H.G. Kingston

Holiday at Sandy Bay by E.S. Beauties

Air Aces of Worth by Bracebridge Hemyng

William the Outlaw by Richmal Crompton

The Crimson Caterpillar by Sercombe Griffen  was one of my favourites as a child. I remember the story fondly along with a number of Famous Five books. I also read all the Biggles books. War seemed so exciting as a young boy.

Also sitting amongst the shelves of books we find  jars of honey, bee wax candles, spare hives and  samples of honey. Books and bees are large part of Doug’s life. We supplied 14 kilos of honey for TedX Sydney a few weeks ago. We set up a beehive within Royal Botanic Garden under a giant fig tree to produce honey for the event. We are hoping this will be an ongoing hive.

A lot of people have a fear of bees but they are actually quite harmless if you respect them.  Each hive has its own personality and there is an old saying about beekeepers and it relates to how they are attached to their hives.  When the beekeeper dies – the partner of the beekeeper has to go out and  tell the bees.

About Doug Purdie

Doug Purdie established The Urban Beehive with Victoria Brown where they focus on hive hosting. Hives are supplied to provide pollination services and local urban honey from your rooftop or backyard.  Doug is the president of the NSW Amateur Beekeepers Association.

 Leigh Russell and Kathy Luu chatted with Doug on Friday 17 May 2013. Images by Kathy Luu.

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