British Beekeepers Association

British Beekeepers Association
AbbreviationBBKA
Formation1874-05-16
Founder
Registration no.Charity No: 1185343
Legal statusCharitable organisation
PurposeTo further and promote the craft of beekeeping
HeadquartersThe National Beekeeping Centre, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG
Region
United Kingdom
Membership (2018)
26,555
President
Stephen Barnes
Chair
Diane Drinkwater
Vice Chair
Clare McGettigan
Key people
Main organ
Board of Trustees
Websitewww.bbka.org.uk

The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is a charitable organisation registered in England and Wales[1] that was founded in 1874, holding its first meeting on 16 May.[2][3] It is made up of 75 associations in England & Wales plus one in Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Jersey.[4] At end of 2018 there were 26,555 members. Its patrons include the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers and Jimmy Doherty.[5][6]

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 beekeepers 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 Awareness Teams.[7]

  1. ^ "BRITISH BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION - Charity 1185343". register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  2. ^ "The History of the BBKA" (PDF). 9 November 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 November 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  3. ^ Knight, Sam (21 August 2023). "Is Beekeeping Wrong?". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Find beekeeping near You". British Beekeepers Association. 22 September 2023.
  5. ^ Lanham, Stu (29 August 2020). "Can Jimmy Save the Bees. Jimmy's Big Bee Rescue. Jimmy Doherty". Jimmy's Farm. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Our Patrons". British Beekeepers Association. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Asian hornet team". British Beekeepers Association. Retrieved 26 May 2021.