British Beekeepers Association

• Bees' Needs Week

  The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is proud to support Bees’ Needs Week, running from 13th - 19th July, as part of Wild Again: Restoring England’s Wildlife – the government’s campaign to help recover native species and habitats across the country. Bees and other pollinating insects are essential to the health of the environment and play a crucial role in food production. Their decline threatens biodiversity, crop yields and the resilience of our natural world. “Every beekeeper knows how vital pollinators are – but Bees’ Needs Week reminds us that every gardener, every school, every community group can make a difference,” said BBKA Chair Clare McGettigan. “Protecting pollinators is a shared responsibility, and small changes add up.” Bees and other pollinators urgently need more reliable sources of nectar and pollen, and the public can play a vital role in providing that food...

• Honey-roasted Courgettes and Chickpeas

  This fresh green sauce is the perfect addition to honey roasted courgettes and chickpeas – an easy, summery dish with plenty of flavour. Chilli and raw garlic bring heat to the sauce, preserved lemons give a deep, salty-citrus burst and a touch of honey rounds everything off; I love it with Mediterranean vegetables, crispy baked chickpeas and halloumi – and there are endless variations to try. If you haven’t used preserved lemons before, they’re worth using for this recipe. Their fermentation softens the bitterness of the rind, creating an intense, fragrant citrus flavour that makes the sauce more complex and delicious. Any leftover preserved lemons are great chopped through a potato salad or stirred into a stew. Servings:   2–3 plus extra sauce           Preparation:  45 minutes Ingredients Sauce:  30g                Coriander 20g &...

• Invasive Species Week: 22nd – 28th June 2026

  Organised by the Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS), this annual event aims to raise awareness about the environmental and economic threats caused by invasive non-native species and what we can do to prevent their spread. Invasive plants and animals are a threat to our native wildlife, cost the UK economy approximately £2 billion a year and can also be harmful to our health.  Information about how you can get involved together with resources to help raise awareness can be found on the NNSS website. A non-native invasive species which affects honey bees is the Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet (YLAH) which poses a significant threat.  We need everyone to be actively looking and to report sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app.  Additional information from the NNSS website. Illustration by Sarah Bunker The BBKA, with support from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), has developed a new, FREE, fully re...

• Pollinator Protectors!

  The British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA), with support from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), has developed a new, FREE, fully resourced educational project designed to support schools in exploring pollinators, biodiversity, and invasive species - through meaningful, real-world learning. Pollinator Protectors: Monitoring the Yellow-legged Asian Hornet is a classroom-based citizen science programme that introduces pupils to the ecological impact of invasive species, with a particular focus on the Yellow-legged Asian hornet. Through structured activities, pupils will learn how monitoring supports national efforts led by the National Bee Unit (NBU), helping to protect pollinators and wider ecosystems.                             Full Resource Available now!        Click Here                     &nbs...

• Burnt Basque cheesecake with honey-macerated strawberries

  Basque cheesecake is a famously simple, creamy, crustless baked cheesecake with a deep brown, almost blackened top. A high oven temperature creates that burnished skin and rich caramel flavour while keeping the centre soft and custardy. Achieving the perfect texture depends on combining the ingredients in the right order - a smooth emulsion is the difference between a silky interior and one that ends up grainy or dry.  My honey version is just as straightforward as the classic and lets the honey shine through. Use a strong, characterful honey if you have one. This is a make-ahead dessert: the cheesecake needs time to cool and then set overnight in the fridge. Serve with fresh strawberries – letting them sit for a few minutes in a small drizzle of honey really lifts the sweet-sharp contrast.  Ingredients 600g Full‑fat cream cheese, room temperature 170g Honey 225g Double cream 4 Lar...