The North Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association [CIO]

The North Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association [Charitable Incorporated Organisation] (NHBKA) is a UK-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and support of beekeeping in the North Hertfordshire region. Registered under charity number 1193498, NHBKA plays an important role in educating and uniting local beekeepers, advancing sustainable apiculture practices, and fostering public awareness of bees' ecological significance.

History

NHBKA was founded in 1918, making it one of the longstanding local beekeeping associations in the UK. Although the earliest surviving records date from the 1940s, membership figures from the association's early years show a modest beginning with around 10 to 20 members. The membership gradually increased to 60-70 by 1944 and then surged to 280 by 1950, attributed partly to the availability of a special sugar allocation for beekeepers following World War II. Membership witnessed fluctuations over ensuing decades, with a decline to about 45 members by 1968.

The association's history also reveals challenges faced by local beekeepers, including significant hive losses linked to aerial crop spraying in the 1970s. This issue prompted involvement from political figures such as Shirley Williams, MP, after correspondence relating to chemical spraying dangers, particularly involving a substance called "Metasystex," which was later banned. The decades following saw varied honey crop yields, with notable poor seasons recorded around 1948/49 and 1954.

Purpose and Activities

NHBKA's core objective is the promotion of all aspects of beekeeping within North Hertfordshire. The association provides education, resources, and support to both novice and experienced beekeepers, encourages best practices in hive management, and raises awareness about the importance of bees to biodiversity and agriculture.

Through meetings, workshops, and community events, NHBKA fosters a collaborative environment for members to share knowledge and contribute to the advancement of apiculture in the region.

Organizational Structure

As a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, NHBKA operates with a formal governance structure ensuring compliance with UK charity regulations and effective management of its mission to serve the local beekeeping community.

The North Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association continues to uphold a century-long tradition of beekeeping excellence and community engagement, supporting the sustainability and growth of apiculture in its part of the UK.

[1] https://www.nhbka.org.uk/about-us/history/ [2] http://www.hertsbees.org.uk/about/ [3] https://www.nhbka.org.uk/about-us/personal-information-policy/ [4] https://www.bbka.org.uk/the-history-of-the-british-beekeepers-association [5] https://bedsbka.org.uk/about/history/the-association-since-1922/