As far as passions go, there’s nothing that Co Armagh woman Christine Marshall has a buzz for more than beekeeping.
The Markethill native says that nothing could ever persuade her to quit – even the bee allergy that once put her in A&E!
Christine (29) started her business, Marshall Beekeeping, back in 2020 and since then it’s grown from a humble two hives to 50.
Recently, Christine was honoured with a Gold Award at the London International Honey Awards, a prestigious accolade that has solidified her produce as the ‘bee’s knees’ across the world.
Speaking to Armagh I, the newly crowned ‘Global Honey Star’ explained: “I would do markets and people would tell me it’s the best honey they’ve had, but to then be up against the world is quite a different scale, so I really can’t complain!”
June 23 marked the fourth anniversary of the operation, which just continues to spread its wings!
At the start of her career four years ago, Christine met a number of challenges including the cancellation of a beekeeping course she was due to take because of COVID.
She also was refused work out in Australia and New Zealand due to fears she may have been allergic to bees – she later discovered, ironically, she was!
Despite that, Christine says she decided to “plough on anyway” with what she knew would become her passion.
She’s no bumbling fool and started with humble beginnings, tending to her own bees, and growing from there, with the ultimate aspiration of becoming, “the biggest honey provider in Northern Ireland” in the future.
“The idea is that we’ll be able to provide everything from a hive,” she said. “Because we’re making all these products, it’s all research and development right through to the finished products ourselves. We’re not outsourcing anything.”
And by all accounts, Christine has been ‘pollen’ in attention from enthusiasts across the board.
“I do the likes of Balmoral which is good for getting spotted. I’ll try and do markets anywhere and if it’s a good one, I’ll go back, so you could see me in Coleraine or Armagh itself.
“I have people that come to me when they see me, or they plan to come to a market just to see me.
“It’s great to see that I’ve built something that people are willing to travel to get.”
She continued: “We’re slowly building up in that regard and as someone from Northern Ireland, we hold Northern Ireland quite high.
“The likes of our apple cider vinegar, we source that from Armagh orchards, so I’m trying to build the local economy whilst building myself. There’s no point outsourcing stuff further afield when we have it readily available and better quality here.
“I’ve built a network, or a small family, of fellow traders and I know beforehand. It’s one thing going to a local orchard and buying apple cider vinegar but it’s a completely different thing when you know the person, you know their story, you know how they started and they’re trying to help you as much as you’re helping them. It’s more than just a product then.”
She added: “My primary focus is always going to be Marshall Beekeeping. I’d like to get to the point where I’m able to hire other beekeepers and expand that way and expand our range.
“With all the stuff that hives make there really is so much you can do.”
Christine also cites the “varied” health benefits of honey.
“I think people take for granted all the stuff that you can grow in your garden or that you can produce yourself if you really are determined.”
Christine is busy as a bee running her hives but says there’s nothing else she could do.
She said: “I don’t actually know what I’d do if I wasn’t doing what I’m doing.
“I can’t remember what I did before I was so busy. I’m kind of scared to go back, I think I’d end up filling the time with more bees!
“It’s a completely different world when you’re going through a hive. I’ve never found anything that compares to it.
“I started these hives myself and built the numbers, so I’ve seen them from the first few frames of age right up to the full production hive.
“It’s really encouraging when you are having a good season or when you see hives prosper.”
Continued Christine: “It’s not just me going to sell a jar of honey. It’s me selling something that’s taken me all year to produce.
“There’s a lot of hard work and time and energy and money and so much behind the scenes.
“I would highly recommend that anyone start beekeeping or even just their own business. There are a million things can go wrong and it’s not easy but it’s well worth it!”
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