The Bras And The Bees
I love a good story. I especially love tales of entrepreneurs and how their ideas can change the way we live and make our life a little bit better.
Bees have obviously existed very happily for tens of thousands of years without any ‘new ideas’. The beekeeper, however, has benefited from an explosion in new technology. Some choose not to exploit it but, for me, it makes sense to make use of the innovation that helps my beekeeping mission. Basically I need all the help I can get!
While Elon Musk is the man who wants to fly us all to Mars and Dyson is the dude who’s dedicated to keeping our carpets clean, Brian Sherriff is the beekeeping maverick who keeps beekeepers like me sting-free.
You might not have heard of Brian before but he’s a bit of a saviour in my eyes. Yes, you old school types can use your affinity with the bees, but me? Well, I need beekeeping armour.
This is the story of how Brian Sheriff created the Bentley of bee suits…
The Bras
Before Brian Sherriff became a beekeeper, he was a designer of military uniforms, lingerie, corsetry and swimwear for top international high street stores like Marks and Spencer’s.
From B-cups to beekeepers – we both need support I guess?
His bra designing skills lead to an interest in technology and a lifelong devotion to working with quality, local people to product long-lasting products.
When he became a beekeeper in the 60s, it made sense to apply all his skills to his new passion.
After a few too many stings, the Sherriff suit was born!
Quality Bee Suits
50 years on, the bee suits are now sold around the world. They’re not made on a production line but by a skilled team of seamstresses in Cornwall, England. Each piece of protective clothing is individually hand-cut, using professional and traditional tailoring methods in the industry. Each item has its own unique serial number, meaning they know which roll of fabric the garment was cut from, who cut the cloth, the seamstress who brought it to life and who quality checked, every detail, each and every seam.These dudes are devoted to making quality suits!
Today Brian is joined at the helm by his daughter Angela (well every Sherriff needs a Deputy!). It’s lovely to see a proper family business producing great British products 50 years on.
Angela Sherriff
The Book
Sherriff have been exhibiting at BBKA conventions since the 1970s and will be exhibiting at the BBKA Spring Convention on the 13-15 April 2018.
As part of Sherriff’s 50th anniversary celebrations there will be an opportunity at the convention to sign up to receive Brian Sherriff’s biography ”The Bras and the Bees – the Remarkable Life of BJ Sherriff”. I suspect he’ll tell his story a bit better than me and I’m sure it will be worth a read.
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