Our advisory leaflet ‘Starting Right with Bees’ has been updated. This leaflet describes the basics of beekeeping for new beekeepers or for those who are considering taking up the craft. It provides a clear, jargon-free introduction into the basic biology and management of honey bee colonies and provides plenty of…
Dear Barnsley Council
We are writing to you with love — for bees, for blossoms, and for Barnsley.
Pollinators are the pulse of our planet, and Barnsley has the power to help them thrive. From back gardens to bus stops, from schoolyards to roundabouts, we have the tools — and the heart — to reimagine our borough as a pollinator paradise.
With the right plants, a little patience, and a commitment to growing not mowing, we can transform even the smallest patches of green into vital habitat for bees, butterflies and hoverflies. Let’s give power to the flowers — not just in May, but all spring long.
Join us in creating a blooming brilliant Barnsley.
Planting for Pollinators in Barnsley: A Beekeeper’s Guide to a Buzzing Garden
Looking to plant for pollinators? 🌿
Elaine’s top 10 includes Oregano, Catmint, and Eryngium.
🌈 Stick to blues, purples, yellows & whites for maximum buzz! #BeeFriendly #BarnsleyGardens #PollinatorParadise
Hive Count 2024 – Results
Over 9,500 beekeepers updated their details on BeeBase during the 2024 hive count compared to over 8,500 in 2023. The 2024 hive count produced a figure of 252,647 colonies in the UK. This is slightly higher than the 2023 figure of 252,577. Responses indicated there was a decrease of 0.2…
BeeBase e-learning module update
The e-learning module is now online again. To access it please log in using your BeeBase username and password. If you would like to complete the course but are not registered with BeeBase, please go to our registration page.
Temporary unavailability of Beebase e-learning module
The e-learning module is currently off line. We are working to make it available as soon as possible and will update you through these pages once it is.
Awards
Congratulations to our members who received awards for their module and practical BBKA exams. If you are interested in joining our certified beekeepers, speak to Val, our Education Secretary.
Barnsley Beekeepers Host an Inspiring Talk on the Miller Method of Queen Rearing
On a lively evening at the Barnsley Beekeepers Association, members were treated to an engaging and insightful presentation by Master Beekeeper Dave Bonner. Speaking on the Miller Method of Queen Rearing combined with the use of a cloake board, Dave shared his wealth of experience, offering practical techniques and invaluable…
March Beekeeping Update
Listen. Can you hear that? It’s the sound of the beekeeping season creeping ever closer. A tentative hum on the mildest days, the odd forager appearing at the entrance with pollen-laden legs, and—if you’re lucky—the first real glimpses of spring activity inside the hive as you top-up feed or peer…
New study published using NBU annual husbandry data
A new study examining data from the National Bee Unit’s annual husbandry survey to better understand Varroa treatment practices throughout the UK has just been published. Thomas O’Shea-Waller from the University of Exeter along with colleagues from Newcastle University and Fera Science Ltd assess the relative importance of treatment adherence,…
Swarm Season is here!