A young Welsh entrepreneur has been honoured with one of the UK's top countryside accolades. Dafydd Pett, a beekeeper from Bridgend, has been crowned the BBC Countryfile Young Countryside Champion for 2025. The prestigious award was announced during a special segment on BBC One, celebrating his exceptional contributions to rural life and environmental stewardship.
From Family Passion to National Recognition
Dafydd's journey into the world of apiculture began in 2014, inspired by his grandfather. What started as a shared hobby took on profound significance following his grandfather's death from sarcoma cancer in 2017. Determined to continue this legacy, Dafydd expanded his efforts from maintaining a few hives to establishing a fully-fledged business. At just 17 years old, he launched The Welsh Honey Company, which now supplies its produce to independent farm shops, butchers, and delicatessens across Wales and the wider UK.
A Multifaceted Champion for Bees and Youth
Dafydd's work extends far beyond commercial honey production. His commitment to youth engagement and pollinator awareness was a key factor in his award win. He has represented Wales at the International Meeting of Young Beekeepers in Slovakia and serves as both a trustee and youth representative for the Bridgend Beekeepers Association. Recognising the need to inspire his peers, he also creates and shares educational YouTube videos to mentor young people interested in beekeeping.
This outreach is crucial, as Dafydd is passionate about addressing the ageing demographic within UK beekeeping, where the average practitioner is around 65 years old. He is actively working to lower this barrier and encourage a new generation to connect with nature and take up the craft.
A Platform to Inspire Future Generations
Speaking after receiving the award, which saw him selected from thousands of nominees and shortlisted as one of three national finalists, Dafydd expressed his pride. "This is a huge honour and a proud moment not just personally, but for Welsh beekeeping and young people involved in the countryside," he said. He reflected on how a passion nurtured with his grandfather has evolved into a national business and a vital platform to motivate others to protect bees and the natural environment.
The BBC Countryfile Young Countryside Champion 2025 award formally recognises Dafydd's tireless work in beekeeping, his successful youth engagement initiatives, and his efforts in raising public awareness of the critical role that bees and other pollinators play in sustaining the British countryside.
