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Andover and District Beekeepers Association

© Image by J Ryde

News & Events
Keeping you informed

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Local Events

The Andover and District Beekeepers Association runs an active programme of events and training courses.

Our 2026/27 programme will be posted here after the AGM.

Unless stated otherwise, all our events are held at Picket Piece Hall, Walworth Rd, Picket Piece, Andover SP11 6LY. Doors open at 7pm and sessions start at 7.30pm.

BBKA Zoom talk: Forage, why the what, how and when matters for a colony

Tuesday 17 November 2026, 7pm, online

Adam Leitch, Treasurer and former Chair of the National Diploma in Beekeeping, explains how forage affects a colony. A recording will be on the BBKA Member Hub later.

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the Zoom link.

A group of people standing outdoors beside beehives, listening to a speaker

Beekeeping Introductory Training 2027

Our next beginners' course starts in January 2027. It covers the basic steps of beekeeping and leads on to practical experience.

Read more about the course

Honey Show Schedule 2025

Let’s make it a record number of entries for this year’s Honey Show…in our new venue and the weather! And, of course, the really great class 15 where you can enter your own delicious honey!

About the show
Honey bees crowded on natural wax comb

Natural Beekeeping

Natural beekeeping covers many different methods. What they share is little or no interference with the bees' nest.

Discover how we help bees
A swarm of honey bees clustered on a tree branch among green leaves

Got a swarm?

Don't panic. Bees in a swarm are full of honey and calm if you leave them alone.

Call our swarm helpline on 07776 429613 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Swarm help: what to do

Busy in the hive . . .

© Video by Dr Vivasayam
Asian hornet identification guide. Queen up to 30mm, workers up to 25mm long (worker honey bee up to 16mm). Entirely dark brown or black velvety body. Abdomen almost entirely dark except for the 4th abdominal segment. Legs brown with characteristic yellow ends.

Seen an Asian hornet? The best way to report it is with the Asian Hornet Watch app.

Asian Hornet Watch for iPhone (App Store)

Asian Hornet Watch for Android (Google Play)

More at BBKA Asian Hornet web page

Cowdown closed for winter

With the colder, more inclement weather now with us the regular activities at Cowdown are being wound down with only essential maintenance tasks being undertaken. An ad-hoc programme of these activities will be sent out to a maintenance team but effectively Cowdown is now closed until Spring next year.

Use of Neonicotinoids

The BBKA’s position on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides is informed by the current scientific evidence regarding their effects on honey bees. The BBKA considers the UK government’s decision in January 2024 to grant a derogation (emergency approval) for the use of a bee-killing pesticide Thiamethoxam, for the fourth year in succession, is unacceptable and does not follow the scientific evidence.
Asian hornet identification guide. Queen up to 30mm, workers up to 25mm long (worker honey bee up to 16mm). Entirely dark brown or black velvety body. Abdomen almost entirely dark except for the 4th abdominal segment. Legs brown with characteristic yellow ends.

Identify and Report Asian Hornets

Asian Hornets are here and all area associations need to have a plan for what they will do if an Asian Hornet is identified in their area.

Find out more and report
Honey bees crowded on natural wax comb

Natural Beekeeping

Natural beekeeping covers many different methods. What they share is little or no interference with the bees' nest.

Read ADBKA Natural Beekeeping