The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is a

charitable organisation A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good). The legal definition of a ch ...

registered in

England and Wales England and Wales () is one of the three legal jurisdictions of the United Kingdom. It covers the constituent countries England and Wales and was formed by the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542. The substantive law of the jurisdiction is Eng ...

that was founded in 1874. It is made up of 75 associations in England & Wales plus one in Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Jersey. At end of 2018 there were 26,555 members. Its patrons include the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers and

Jimmy Doherty Jimmy Doherty (born 24 May 1975) is an English television presenter and farmer. A childhood friend of Jamie Oliver, Doherty is known for the show '' Jimmy's Farm'', detailing the operation of the Essex Pig Company that he and his wife Michaela ...

. The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is an independent charity with a membership formed of 75 associations and 170 branches. It acts as an umbrella group for them and co-ordinates a swarm collection service for the public, administers training for

beekeeper A beekeeper is a person who keeps honey bees. Beekeepers are also called honey farmers, apiarists, or less commonly, apiculturists (both from the Latin '' apis'', bee; cf. apiary). The term beekeeper refers to a person who keeps honey bees i ...

s including a new scheme to encourage more beekeepers to use locally raised queens, administers grants for researchers looking at aspects of bee health and welfare and has recently encouraged the setting up of

Asian Hornet The Asian hornet (''Vespa velutina''), also known as the yellow-legged hornet or Asian predatory wasp, is a species of hornet indigenous to Southeast Asia. It is of concern as an invasive species in some other countries. Appearance ''Vespa velu ...

Awareness Teams.

Charitable objectives

The BBKA’s charitable objectives are: * To further and promote the craft of

beekeeping Beekeeping (or apiculture) is the maintenance of bee colonies, commonly in man-made beehives. Honey bees in the genus '' Apis'' are the most-commonly-kept species but other honey-producing bees such as ''Melipona'' stingless bees are also kept. ...

* To advance the education of the public in the importance of bees in the environment

Activities

Beekeeping associations and branches are local organisations of differing size, history and origins. They have a common interest in training people to be beekeepers and keeping the craft of beekeeping and understanding of honeybees alive. The majority of groups will maintain a training apiary and have a schedule of meetings in the summer and in the winter when beekeeping ceases. The BBKA operates services for the public by means of a swarm map which directs the public to local beekeepers who can help with the removal of honeybees. Along with the other national beekeeping associations in the UK and Ireland the BBKA promotes the education of beekeepers in the craft of beekeeping by offering courses and exams and a correspondence course for those unable to attend training sessions. UK schools are also embracing beekeeping. In 1946 the BBKA established a committee to promote research activities. Every year, the BBKA makes funds available for University and PhD research into bee behaviour and health. This is administered by a panel who consider applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Following the discovery of the first Asian Hornets on the UK mainland in 2018 the BBKA has encouraged the setting up of an Asian Hornet Action Team in every area. The BBKA also offers a Bee Friendly Holiday Park benchmark scheme operated by the

David Bellamy David James Bellamy (18 January 1933 – 11 December 2019) was an English botanist, television presenter, author and environmental campaigner. Early and personal life Bellamy was born in London to parents Winifred May (née Green) and Thoma ...

Conservation Award Scheme (DBCAS) which looks at the forage plants they provide for bees, what they do to provide homes for bees and how they promote bee conservation. In 2010 the BBKA worked with the

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and the National Diploma of Beekeeping Board to train 400 experts in bee husbandry. This was funded by DEFRA as part of their Healthy Bees Plan. Two years previously the BBKA had submitted a Beekeeping Research paper to Lord Rooker of DEFRA. The NDB and the BBKA also introduced courses to raise local queens under the Healthy Bees Plan. The BBKA along with the other national beekeeping groups takes part in the Government's Bee Health Advisory Forum to contribute towards policies to respond to threats faced by bees. The monthly membership magazine published by the BBKA is ''BBKA News''. The BBKA is not a direct member of Apimondia. Its interest is represented instead via its membership of the Council of National Beekeeping Associations of the United Kingdom and Ireland (CONBA). The BBKA has celebrated the first National Honey Day, 21st October, Anne Rowberry, President of the BBKA, gave the King a jar of honey to celebrate National Honey Dayhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/11/19/beekeeper-persuades-palace-guards-let-deliver-sweet-treat-king/

References

External links

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British Beekeepers Association, registered charity number 1185343Bees on the BBCHow to become a beekeeper
{{Authority control Charities based in Warwickshire Beekeeping in the United Kingdom Organizations established in 1874 1874 establishments in the United Kingdom Beekeeping organizations Agricultural organisations based in England