The BBKA celebrates 150 years championing honey bees and beekeepers at three-day convention

Last weekend the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner was delighted to be invited to the opening day of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) Spring Convention at Harper Adams University and to plant a commemorative tree as part of their 150 year celebrations.

Thousands of members of the British Beekeepers Association from all over the UK and further afield attended their Spring Convention and enjoyed a packed programme – there were 25 lectures, 70 workshops, a trade hall and exhibitions spread over three days.

Joyce Nisbet, Chair, Spring Convention Committee, said the anniversary event included sessions reflecting ways in which beekeeping has developed since 1874.

There was also a wide range of up-to-date lectures, practical beekeeping workshops and seminars with an increased emphasis on research and, on the Saturday afternoon, there was a children’s workshop.

Among the speakers was Emeritus Professor Stephen Martin of Salford University and recently appointed BBKA Fellow.

The 46th convention was held against a backdrop of one of the most challenging threats to honey bees and pollinators the BBKA has ever faced – yellow-legged Asian hornets.

BBKA Chair Diane Drinkwater said: “Beekeepers have met many challenges over the last 150 years from urbanisation, agrochemicals and the arrival of disease-carrying Varroa mites to climate change.

“Now we are faced with an existential crisis with the invasion of the Asian hornet. Last year saw a record number of nests and already this season individual hornets have been discovered.”

The BBKA is implementing plans to protect honey bees and other pollinators from the apex predator which include a major public awareness raising campaign, member education and working closely with government agencies.

The Master of the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers, Dame Fiona Woolf DBE DL, was guest of honour at an evening celebration.

Main Photo -The Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner, helps the BBKA to celebrate its 150 anniversary at Harper Adams University. She is flanked from left to right by Joyce Nisbet, BBKA Trustee and Spring Convention Committee Chair; Diane Drinkwater, BBKA Chair; Prof Ken Sloan, Harper Adams University Vice-Chancellor; Stephen Barnes, BBKA President.

Photo credit: Mark Hunter