History of the Gloucestershire Beekeeping Association
The history of Gloucestershire Beekeeping and the Gloucestershire Beekeeping Association has been researched by Will Messenger who produced a pamphlet recording his findings, dated 9th May 2009 entitled: A History of Beekeeping in Gloucestershire and the Gloucestershire Bee-keepers Association,
I have sought and been given permission by the author to reproduce here, verbatim, the introduction.
Introduction
Unfortunately, a few myths about beekeeping in the County have grown and one purpose of this paper is to start to put the record straight. Hartpury bee shelter is not mediaeval, as GBKA members believed when it was moved from Nailsworth about 1965. More importantly, the County Association has not existed for 125 years. Fortunately, the truth is equally interesting and noteworthy.
2009 is a triple anniversary for Gloucestershire Bee-keepers Association. An Association was founded in 1884 but floundered in 1889, while the current association was formed in 1909. Thus beekeeping in Gloucestershire has been led by a County committee for a total of 105 years.
No one else appears to have researched and recorded the full history of organised beekeeping in Gloucestershire. I am grateful to a few members (especially Arthur Taylor and Don Streatfield) and beekeepers outside the County (especially David Charles) who have lent items or shown interest. I will be pleased to hear from anyone else who can add to the story. I have now accumulated several items that should be held by the Gloucestershire Archives and I am hoping that these, together with the material held for many years by Don and Arthur, will form an official GBKA archive.
To be continued…
A TIMELINE OF THE BRITISH BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION:
More information on the history of the British Beekeepers’ Association, its aims and ethos, and how you can become a member, can be found at: bbka.org.uk
- 1874 – Charles Nash Abbott begins the formation of the British Beekeepers’ Association, along with Thomas Willian Cowan and the Reverend William Charles Cotton. At this time beekeeping was generally part of the rural domestic economy for cottagers, rather than being the hobby it is for many today.
- 1879 – The BBKA initiates its first link with the Royal Agricultural Society of England
- 1879 – The first county associations, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire and Surrey are admitted. Devon and Exeter, Dorset and Shropshire join shortly after.
- 1882 – BBKA examinations commence, with a focus on the then new movable-comb methods.
- 1884 – Within a decade, the BBKA has grown from a London-based club, to a large association addressing issues of national interest and concern.
- 1889 – The Technical Education Act of 1889 enables the BBKA and its associations to obtain grants for their educational work in apiculture.
- 1892 – Lorenzo Langstroth, famous US apiarist, considered to be the father of American beekeeping, is admitted as an honorary member.
- 1922 – The Bee Research Unit at the Rothamsted Experimental Station at Harpenden, Hertfordshire, is established as a consequence of BBKA lobbying.
- 1942 – After pressure from the BBKA, the ‘Foul Brood Order’ is implemented, making the American Foul Brood and European Foul Brood diseases notifi able and colonies subject to inspection.
- 1943 – Ireland, Scotland and Wales have now developed their own associations, with the BBKA representing beekeepers in England and Northern Ireland.
- 1955- BBKA has negotiated with the British Standards Institution, nine relevant standards for hives, bees and honey grading glasses.
- 1982 – The BBKA moves to its current headquarters at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
- 1990 – The varroa mite arrives in the UK, decimating bee colonies and leading many beekeepers to give up.
- 2008 -The Government decides to develop a honey bee health strategy, following lobbying by the BBKA. This involved all beekeeping groups in the UK and was led by the Department for Food and Rural Affairs.
- Today – The BBKA represents some 30,000 members across 75 associations, mainly throughout England, and also Wales and Northern Ireland.