Chislehurst Honey

16/01/2026

Under 2 weeks until 2026 BBKA Spring Convention tickets go on sale on 25.1.26 @ 8pm
Full programme and other information available @ https://www.bbka.org.uk/pages/category/about-spring-convention

16/01/2026

Happy Internationall Woman's Beekeeping Day

02/01/2026

Become a Benefactor or Family member this January and receive a FREE bumblebee soft toy worth £18 when you join 🐝

When you become a member, you’re helping to:
🌻 Create and restore wildflower meadows
📊 Research how climate change affects bumblebees
🤝 Support farmers to create bumblebee-friendly habitats

A bee-rilliant way to start the new year together: https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/january

Bee quick, while stocks last!

02/01/2026

01/01/2026

The Beekeeping Year -January
Things to consider doing...

🐝 Check hives for damage from woodpeckers or after storms
🐝 Apply Oxalic Acid if needed early in the month if not done already
🐝 Check entrances are clear of dead bees
🐝 Heft Hive, feed or replace fondant as needed
🐝 Clear or consider shading entrance during snow
🐝 Sales are probably on now – think what you may need this season because you will always need more kit!
🐝 Memberships of some organisations will need renewal
🐝 On a warmer day watch entrances for activity
🐝 Otherwise LEAVE ALONE

31/12/2025

2025 saw an unusually early spring and strong prolonged swarming, good honey crops in some areas, record yellow-legged Asian hornet nest destructions, above average winter losses, changes to neonicotinoid legislation and Tropilaelaps emerging as a potential threat.
The BBKA had a successful Spring Convention, developed the Member Hub, scheduled regular webinars, revised the website, held a successful yellow-legged Asian hornet week, supported local honey including National Honey Day and backed ongoing honey bee research.

What are the highlights of your 2025?

30/12/2025

Nature Tots starts next week... are you joining us? ✨

It's Forest School specially designed for little explorers aged 2–5 years - the perfect way to inspire a love of nature that can last a lifetime. Led by experienced Forest School leaders, sessions give children the freedom to explore, discover and learn from the natural world at their own pace.

With hands-on investigation, building, arts and crafts activities, children are encouraged to lead their own learning, building confidence and a real sense of achievement - with gentle support from accompanying adults in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

Starting January 2026
📍 Maidstone – Tuesdays from 6 January and Fridays from 9 January
🎟️ Spaces are limited - book now 👉 kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/whats-on/nature-tots

30/12/2025

Starting beekeeping - Obtaining bees

Ask your local association for advice/suggestions.
Supply & demand can influence availability & price.
Most beekeepers will strongly advise getting well-adapted local bees. Scientific evidence suggests these are better suited & this also reduces dangers of bringing pests & disease into an area.
Please avoid importing queens from outside the UK for similar reasons.
Small-scale queen rearing & raising nucs can be a valuable activities for some more experienced beekeepers.

Methods

• Getting a nucleus, aka nuc, (a small colony) from a commercial supplier or local bee keeper. Normally containing 4 - 6 frames with a (ideally marked) queen, 2 -3 frames of brood in all stages, healthy, with stores and sufficient worker bees. Costs vary from £150 - £350+. The box they come in will only be suitable very short term use as colonies expand qu**ky. Some boxes are for temporary transport use only

• Being given or collecting a swarm. Swarm are an unknown quantity in terms of temperament, productivity, disease status and age of queen but they are free.

• A full colony from suppliers or retiring beekeeper – This can be a handful for beginners, whereas a nuc increases in size over a season in step with increasing experience.

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Best_practice_guidelines/BPG08_Sale-of-nuclei.pdf

22/12/2025

Too many options!

22/12/2025

Something a little special for Christmas

Festive Honey-Drizzled Goat Cheese Bites with Cranberries, Pecans & Parsley

Ingredients:

10 oz (280 g) goat cheese, softened

1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped

1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped and lightly toasted

2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

2 tbsp honey, plus extra for drizzling