Help the British Beekeepers’ Association raise essential funds for research into the threats which honeybees face.  Please give generously. Current Research Projects  These are some of the exciting projects we are currently supporting. Dr Barbara Smith, University of Coventry  Dr Smith is planning to evaluate the effect of particulate matter (pollution) on honey bee colonies by placing sensors in apiaries which will monitor the presence of particles of 10 microns and smaller ones of 2.5 microns.  She is looking to recruit beekeepers in the Midlands to take part in this study and to provide samples of bees and hive products. To take part in this project register on this page https://www.thrivinghive.co.uk/take-part or Email Dr Barbara Smith for more information. Professor Juliet Osborne and Dr Peter Kennedy.  University of Exeter  This group have a large project working on various aspects of the Asian Hornet some of whic...

The following training courses for 2022 have now been released:- Bee Handling and Husbandry Course - Five Days - Monday 25th to Friday 29th April 2022 Microscopy - Beginners Course - One Day - Saturday 26th or Sunday 27th February 2022 Microscopy - Intermediate Course - Two Days - Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th February 2022 Queen Rearing Course - One Day - Saturday 23rd April 2022 For further information and to book your place please click here.

Help BBKA raise funds for our new schools learning Apiary which will be a live resource for learning about the environment and pollinators YouTube Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVWzifzgfRE Filmed by fridaysky : www.fridaysky.co.uk   Our offices in Stoneleigh provide the perfect location for our new visitor centre as we are in the heart of England and can welcome visitors from all over the UK. Children will come with their school classes and learn about bees and mini-beasts and food security and have a live bee display with one of our beekeepers. Lots of children get ‘bitten by the bug’ this way and with their interest in beekeeping awakened, will return to it in later years. It’s imperative we train a new generation too as the average age of a beekeeper in the UK is 65. What your donations have paid for The paths around the area have been laid out and the base of the cabin has been installed. The building is expected to go up shortly.&n...

If you are interested in taking up the fascinating hobby of beekeeping you will no doubt have lots of questions and here we aim to provide some of the answers to help you find out exactly what might be involved. Where do I start? What equipment will I need? Will I be stung? Where can I keep my bees? How much time does it take? What kind of hive should I buy? What bees should I buy? Where can I obtain bees? When can I start to harvest any honey? Do I need to feed my bees? How do I prepare my bees for winter? Suggested books for beginners:   Where do I start? Contact your local BBKA Association for advice, tuition and support and consider becoming a member.  Most associations run ‘Taster Days’ which are ideal for obtaining a basic understanding of bees and what is involved in beekeeping.  This can be followed by an ‘Introduction to Beekeeping’ course where you can learn some of the theory required to be a good beekeeper and gain valuable pra...