Statement from DEFRA Bee Health Policy Defra is very grateful to all the staff in the Animal and Plant Health Agency and in particular the National Bee Unit (NBU) who are working on the response to YLH. Beekeepers and Yellow-legged Asian Hornet Teams have also provided very valuable support. Defra…
Is nest destruction a dangerous delusion, and is spring trapping the lesser of two evils?
Based on Andrew Durham’s webinar given to the BBKA 03/09/25 Twenty years after Vespa velutina nigrithorax arrived in south-west France, nest numbers and predation have surged across large parts of Europe. Andrew, a Cambridgeshire beekeeper who has studied the hornet since 2014, argues that once the hornet establishes, large scale…
New apiculture programme published
The England Apiculture Programme for 2025-2028 has been published on BeeBase. The programme provides measures to support beekeepers and bee farmers by training events on bee health and husbandry practices as well as improving identification of pests and diseases through hive-side advisory inspections. The programme is delivered by APHA’s National…
‘Starting Right with Bees’ advisory leaflet updated
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.
Swarm Season is here!