A bee-line to a hive of activity

Jan 30 2008 By Gurdip Thandi

A COLLEGE is bidding a fond farewell to a lecturer who is buzzing off after more than 33 years.

Maggie Gay has said goodbye to her colleagues and students at Tamworth and Lichfield College to start a new chapter in her life - as a bee-keeper.

She started there on September 2, 1974, as a biology technician.

Throughout the years she took on a variety of roles including part-time teaching for the nursery nurse students.

In 1984, Maggie started working full-time with people with learning difficulties, specialising in horticulture.

A leaving celebration was held for Maggie at the end of the college's autumn term where she was presented with several gifts from friends and colleagues.

She was also given a special gift from the students - a beehive.

A spokesman for the college said: "Maggie had mentioned some time ago that she may take up bee-keeping when she retires, so the students had co-ordinated a project to design and construct a beehive.

"The art group researched the design and drew up plans.

"The DIY works group constructed the beehive and the office works group researched and designed a beekeeping manual."

He added: "Maggie was over-whelmed with such a thoughtful gift and as it was made by the students that she had taught for the past few years, it was extra special.

"Maggie is in the process of completing a part-time holistic therapy course which she has been studying in the evenings.

"Once her course is complete she hopes to move to France and set up a new home and business, and her new hobby of bee-keeping is sure to keep her busy.

"Everyone at Tamworth and Lichfield College wishes Maggie all the best in the future."