BBKA

• National Honey Day

  The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is proud to announce the celebration of National Honey Day on 21st October 2025, a nationwide initiative to spotlight the golden goodness of local British honey and the dedicated beekeepers who produce it. This year’s theme is simple and powerful: Buy Local Honey! Whether from a neighbourhood beekeeper, farm shop, market stall or independent retailer, choosing local honey supports British bees, biodiversity, livelihoods and the craft of beekeeping.  “We want everyone to experience the joy of tasting the spring and summer through honey. Each jar of local honey tells a unique story - of flowers like hedgerow bramble, clover, heather or lime - and the weather that shaped the season,” said Diane Drinkwater, Chair of the BBKA. Despite the UK’s rich beekeeping heritage, only around 14 per cent of the honey consumed domestically is produced here. This year has been marked by exceptionall...

• BBKA Calls for Major Awareness Campaign for the Yellow-legged Asian Hornet

  Concerned by the continuing threat of the invasive, non-native Yellow-legged Asian Hornet, the British Beekeepers' Association has written to the The Rt Hon Emma Reynolds PC MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, requesting a government-led public awareness campaign and the continuation of the eradication phase of the incursion.                                                  BBKA Letter to Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs All potential sightings should continue to be reported so experts can take quick and effective action. The best way is to use the 'Asian Hornet Watch' app where the home screen allows users to check similar species and report a sighting.  A photo is requested as key to identification. Date and location are auto completed and brief comments...

• Becoming a Beekeeper

  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. Keeping bees healthy and productive requires knowledge and skill. Beekeeping is made much easier by belonging to a local BBKA Association where you will be given advice, tuition and support.   Where do I start? Contact your local BBKA Association for advice 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 practical experience before you make any investment in equipment and honey bees.  Your local association may also be able to assign you a mentor who will be...

• Thank you for joining the BBKA

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• Pain d’épices

  Pain d’épices or spice bread is a classic French quick bread which originated in the Middle Ages. Aside from grinding spices, the cake takes just minutes to prepare and keeps well. In fact, like many honey or spice cakes, it tastes best a couple of days after baking when the spices and honey meld and soften. Grind the spices with a pestle and mortar, spice grinder or use fresh ground spices. If you can’t find all the spices pre-ground, Chinese 5 spice (which typically contains star anise, cloves, cinnamon, pepper and fennel) would be a good substitute alongside ground coriander and ginger. This recipe was kindly sent in by Lucie Chaumeton who now lives in London but comes from France. Lucie recommends serving it with a low sugar fruit compote such as Bramley apples or red currants and I enjoyed it spread with butter. The bread is traditionally made with rye flour, but Lucie says it also works with bread flour or gluten-free alternatives.  Serves:  &nb...