The past president of Fife Beekeepers Association, Robert Baird Simpson, has died aged 74.

* By Craig McManamon
* Published in the Courier : 15.07.10
* Published online : 15.07.10 @ 05.22pm

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Born in Crail in 1936, Mr Simpson worked in the St Andrews area as a nursery man and gardener.

This was a private venture before getting a job at St Andrews University's grounds department.

He went on to work with Fife Council at Cairngreen near Cupar before retiring due to ill health in the early 1980s.

At a young age, Mr Simpson displayed a keen interest in bees, having got his first hive when he was seven.

From that point on he developed a passion for the creatures, and at one stage had more than 60 hives.

The hobby grew to a more serious level when he started an agency for beekeeping equipment called Flower of May Apiaries.

Along with his wife Joan, Mr Simpson promoted beekeeping and its products to the public.

The couple had a stand at several agricultural shows throughout central Scotland and the borders.

Over a number of years Mr Simpson carried out numerous talks and displays at schools, guilds and other organisations.

He also demonstrated to beekeeping associations across the country spanning from Wick to the borders and from Oban to St Andrews.

He was a lifelong member of the Fife Beekeepers Association and a long-standing member of the Scottish Beekeeping Association, serving several years on its committee.

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