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  • front-page-news
  1. News

Front page news

Welcome to the latest news about honeybees and beekeeping!

We are here to help you produce great stories by providing you with topical news, features and comment. We place a very high value on quality media coverage and we look forward to working with you to achieve this.

The stories we tell reflect the BBKA's leading role as a Education charity working to improve honey bee health, in support of beekeepers throughout the country and the environment that supports them. 

Our Press Officer Diane Roberts can be contacted by email: [email protected]


The BBKA's objectives are to advance the education of the public and beekeepers in the craft of beekeeping and promote the importance of bees in the environment.

Importing Bees

Importing Bees "against best practice for our environment"

Beekeeping Associations, from all around the UK, are in agreement that the importation of bees from overseas is totally against best practices for the protection of our environment. Read more

Published: 24th March, 2021

Updated: 25th March, 2021

Author: Diane Roberts

Winter Survival Survey 2021

Winter Survival Survey 2021

Please fill in your form by the end of April to have your results included in the 2021 Winter Survival Survey Read more

Published: 23rd March, 2021

Updated: 3rd April, 2021

Author: Diane Roberts

Promote No Mow

Promote No Mow

To help members promote positive actions for all pollinators we've created a few graphics and a press release to send to radio and local papers Read more

Published: 16th March, 2021

Updated: 21st April, 2021

Author: diane drinkwater

Defra publishes blog about bee importation row

Defra publishes blog about bee importation row

A blog has been published on the Defra website setting out the law as it relates to bee importation following recent stories about a Kent importer who wanted to import bees from Italy and had been told he could not. Read more

Published: 22nd February, 2021

Author: Diane Roberts

25,000 Beekeepers Demand Govt Withdraw Neonic Licence

More than 25,000 beekeepers voted to demand that the government withdraw the neonic licence for sugar beet and allow no further breaches of the ban. Read more

Published: 18th January, 2021

Updated: 26th January, 2021

Author: Diane Roberts

BBKA Very Disappointed by Neonic Derogation

BBKA Very Disappointed by Neonic Derogation

British Beekeepers Association is sending a letter to associations expressing extreme disappointment in the neonic licence issued by government for sugar beet & is urging all members to express their objections to a public consultation on pesticides. Read more

Published: 9th January, 2021

Updated: 26th January, 2021

Author: Diane Roberts

National Hive Count 2020

National Hive Count 2020

Please don't forget this year's Hive Count! Read more

Published: 8th December, 2020

Author: Julie Horbury

November 2020 - NBU Starvation and Varroa Alert

November 2020 - NBU Starvation and Varroa Alert

The National Bee Unit says their inspectors across the UK are reporting some colonies of bees are becoming short of food and need feeding Read more

Published: 7th December, 2020

Updated: 24th December, 2020

Author: Julie Horbury

Winners of Photo Competition Announced

Winners of Photo Competition Announced

The winners of the Photo Competition we ran in the BBKA's Asian Hornet Week in September have been announced. Read more

Published: 27th November, 2020

Updated: 24th December, 2020

Author: Diane Roberts

2021 International Meeting of Young Beekeepers Cancelled

2021 International Meeting of Young Beekeepers Cancelled

The 2021 International Meeting of young beekeepers which was due to take place in Slovenia has been cancelled. In the current pandemic, the organisers have decided that to ensure the wellbeing of participants the meeting cannot go ahead Read more

Published: 25th November, 2020

Updated: 26th November, 2020

Author: Diane Roberts

New Exam Board Secretary

New Exam Board Secretary

Introducing the new BBKA Exam secretary... Read more

Published: 2nd November, 2020

Author: diane drinkwater

First Asian Hornet of 2020

First Asian Hornet of 2020

The first Asian Hornet of 2020 has been confirmed in Gosport in Hampshire. Read more

Published: 10th September, 2020

Updated: 24th September, 2020

Author: Diane Roberts

Veterinary Medicines Warning

Veterinary Medicines Warning

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is warning beekeepers to use veterinary medicines safely, effectively and legally. Read more

Published: 11th August, 2020

Updated: 8th September, 2020

Author: Diane Roberts

November Exams Cancelled

November Exams Cancelled

We have taken the difficult decision to cancel the BBKA assessments for the remaining part of 2020 due to the global outbreak of Covid-19. Read more

Published: 20th July, 2020

Updated: 28th August, 2020

Author: Diane Roberts

Queen Rearing Courses are a Hit

Queen Rearing Courses are a Hit

The BBKA introduced Queen Rearing Courses last year to encourage people to breed their own queens. Now surveys show high satisfaction with the knowledge they gained. Read more

Published: 7th June, 2020

Updated: 8th June, 2020

Author: Diane Roberts

More than 40% of beekeepers say they had a better honey harvest in 2019

More than 40% of beekeepers say they had a better honey harvest in 2019

The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) annual survey of how much honey they have harvested from their bees shows the highest yield in 10 years. The average crop was 40.25 pounds of honey. Read more

Published: 25th October, 2019

Updated: 18th May, 2020

Author: Diane Roberts

Second Asian Hornet nest found & destroyed at Christchurch

Second Asian Hornet nest found & destroyed at Christchurch

A second Asian Hornet nest has been found near the first in Christchurch in Dorset. Read more

Published: 12th October, 2019

Updated: 18th May, 2020

Author: Diane Roberts

Bermondsey Street Bees raises more than £1,000 for Apiary Project

Bermondsey Street Bees raises more than £1,000 for Apiary Project

Bermondsey Street Bees, based in London, have raised more than a £1,000 for the BBKA's Apiary & Education Project. The money mostly comes from a honey cocktails event they held with Aberfeldy Whisky. Read more

Published: 7th October, 2019

Updated: 18th May, 2020

Author: Diane Roberts

Asian Hornet nest near Christchurch destroyed

Asian Hornet nest near Christchurch destroyed

An Asian Hornet nest has been found high up in an oak tree near Christchurch in Dorset and has been destroyed. More details on two other sightings in other parts of the country have been given. Read more

Published: 4th October, 2019

Updated: 18th May, 2020

Author: Diane Roberts

Fourth Asian Hornet found in Dorset

Fourth Asian Hornet found in Dorset

A fourth Asian Hornet this year has been found and confirmed at Highcliffe in Christchurch in Dorset. Like the 3 other sightings it was reported by a member of the public. Read more

Published: 1st October, 2019

Updated: 18th May, 2020

Author: Diane Roberts

Asian Hornet found in Ashford in Kent

Asian Hornet found in Ashford in Kent

An Asian Hornet has been found and captured in Ashford in Kent. This is the third confirmed sighting in 2019. Read more

Published: 11th September, 2019

Updated: 18th May, 2020

Author: Diane Roberts

Asian hornet and nest located & destroyed in Staffordshire

Asian hornet and nest located & destroyed in Staffordshire

An Asian Hornet nest was located in Staffordshire as a result of a sighting by a member of the public on Sunday 2nd Sept. The nest has now been destroyed Read more

Published: 8th September, 2019

Updated: 26th September, 2019

Author: Diane Roberts

Bees Needs Week

Bees Needs Week

One of the world's most famous shopping destinations in London, Carnaby Street will be renamed Carnabee Street for Bees Needs Week 8-14 July 2019 Read more

Published: 9th July, 2019

Updated: 12th April, 2021

Author: Diane Roberts

First Asian hornet of 2019 found in Hampshire

First Asian hornet of 2019 found in Hampshire

The first Asian Hornet of 2019 on UK mainland has been found in New Milton in Hampshire close to the New Forest. Read more

Published: 5th July, 2019

Updated: 18th May, 2020

Author: Claire Hartry

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Showing 10 of 86

Latest

  • Advanced Husbandry Assessment training courses 2021

    Advanced Husbandry Assessment training courses 2021

    Advanced Husbandry Assessment training courses 2021

  • Say no to the mow!

    Say no to the mow!

    To help members promote positive actions for all pollinators we've created a few graphics and a press release to send to radio and local papers

  • AHW 2021 Press Release

    AHW 2021 Press Release

    The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is calling on the public not to be complacent about Asian Hornets

  • Catch-up on Spring Convention

    Catch-up on Spring Convention

    If you've missed any lectures or demonstrations from Spring Convention 2021 then you can catch up here

Most read

  • Swarm removal

    Swarm removal

    Beekeepers are often approached about winged, flying creatures, especially in the spring and summer period, when they are their most active simply working and are no cause for alarm. We can only help if they are honeybees.

  • Find beekeeping near You

    Find beekeeping near You

    Please scroll over our BBKA map to find branches and members who can help you on your way to becoming a beekeeper.

  • Courses and education

    Courses and education

    Our charity raises the standards of beekeeping through its exam structure

  • Log in information

  • How do I become a beekeeper?

    How do I become a beekeeper?

    How do I become a beekeeper? - Why you should join a local association? - Where can I find out about courses? - books that will help

  • The Asian Hornet

    The Asian Hornet

    If you suspect you have sighted an Asian Hornet please find more information here about what to do next!

  • Gardening for bees

    Gardening for bees

    We could all do more to plant our gardens for our hungry honeybees.

  • Honey

    Honey

    Honey bees are the only insect which makes food that is harvested by humans. Honey is hailed as and used by humans as a super-food because of its rich antibacterial properties, which has helped to boost the immune systems of those who take it in its raw form for thousands of years.

  • Asian Hornet Traps

    Asian Hornet Traps

    News from the Government about the best traps to help catch and identify Asian Hornets over the coming season

  • Written exams

    Written exams

    The written exams of the BBKA are known as modules. There are 7 modules covering a wide range of aspects of beekeeping.

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© The British Beekeepers Association
The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 1185343.
The National Beekeeping Centre, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG | 0300 020 0649

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