BIBBA encourages the formation of local queen rearing groups to aid the improvement of local bees and to support the objectives of BIBBA to improve and propagate the native and near native honey bees.
Benefits of Local Groups
Many beekeepers only have a small number of colonies, so they find it easier to work with others. A group will have beekeepers with different expertise that can be pooled. Even the newest beekeepers can have a useful role until they gain knowledge and experience.A local group can pool expertise of different disciplines… honey bee management, record keeping, queen rearing, equipment making, administration, etc. More beekeepers means there are more colonies to select material from and to provide good quality drones, as well as maximising the number of colonies under management, evaluation and study.Groups can liaise with one another and with scientific institutions if they wish. They can distribute genetic material beyond their own confines to wider circles of beekeepers, thereby improving bees overall.
Forming a bee improvement and breeding group
There are several things you need to consider including:-
- Do you need a constitution, so members know what is expected?
- If you store personal data, are you GDPR compliant?
- What assessment criteria do you want in your bees?
- How are you going to operate?
- Do you need funding?
- Can you combine with a local BKA?
You may already have the expertise, but if not, then BIBBA can offer help and tuition, perhaps from other groups or experienced individuals. We ask only that one person in a group is a member of BIBBA, although we hope more will join over time.
Where to now?
View the entries below; if there is a group near you then get in touch, otherwise read ‘Start a Group’
The groups listed below are independent of BIBBA but support our aims
Abberton Native Bee Group/ Essex 4 Bees – CO2
B4 Project – Cornwall – PL17
The purpose of the B4 Project is to conserve, protect and increase the population of Apis mellifera mellifera, the European Dark Honey Bee (EDHB), by the fusion of science and beekeeping. This will be achieved by: Setting up reserves with like-minded beekeepers. Working closely with scientists to identify genetic purity ...
BIG_NY – YO21
BIPCo Bee Improvement Programme for Cornwall-PL17
Bloomington Bees – USA
Boughton Estate Bee Improvement Group-NN14
Bucks Berks & Oxon Bee Improvement (BBOBI ) – RG9
BBOBI was set up in 2019 as a co-operative in Henley-on-Thames, which borders Bucks Berks and Oxon. Although a large geographical area, the climate and forage are remarkably consistent across the area. As the first BIBBA group in the home counties, we aim to be a springboard for other ...
Cardiff & Vale – CF5
contact Alexandra Miller
...Cheshire Honeybee Improvement Partnership (CHIP)- CW9
Cornwall Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Group – TR1
Dover and Districts BKA Q rearing support group – CT4
East Midlands Bee Improvement Group-NG11
Ely & Surrounding Villages
Ely, Cambridgeshire. Improving the local bee population.
Contact; Adam Golding
...Exeter Beekeepers – EX1
Hampshire Beekeepers Association-SO21
Hazelbeach Black Bee Breeding Group – SA73
Houghton Community Black Bee Project-SO20
Kings Orchard – East Cornwall
Lampeter – SA48
Lancashire Black Bee Project
Leek and Moorlands – ST9
LVCB Breeding Group-LA1
Mount Edgcumbe Cornish Bee Group – PL10
NF&DBKA Group-SO41
North Devon Bee Improvement Group-EX32
North Gower Bee Improvement
Salisbury and District BKA
South Devon Bee Improvers Group – TQ9
Stratford-upon-Avon BIG – CV37
Sussex Coast Honeybee Improvement Partnership (SCHIP). BN20
A branch of the Eastbourne Beekeepers’ Association keen to develop a local strain of honeybee well adapted to the South Downs climate, with particular focus on improved health and docility.
Contact; Simon Tuck
...TBKA Bee Breeding – CT12
Test Valley Black Bee Project – SO20
Upper Dee Bee Improvement Group
West Linton BKA-EH46
Wharfdale Valley Bee Improvement Group-LS21
Wight Bee Improvement Group
Wisborough Green BKA – RH14
For information on groups, please email
information on starting a group is available here;
there is also information in BIM 33