Members

If you'd like to join, join here.

We provide a number of services to members, but - as we a volunteer-run association - we are always on the lookout for volunteers, either for specific roles or people willing to help out at events.

Details about what we expect our members' and committee members' conduct and other information about the association are below:

Services

Monthly meetings

Our monthly meetings are for exchanging and beekeeping information and socialising with coffee and cake. Each meeting is on a Sunday, has a particular seasonal theme and we try and include both "basic" and "intermediate" topics:

The horrors of the Wax Moth (9th February 2025)

Please check our events page for more details.

Buying bees from LBKA

We can sometimes offer bees to our members. Members can log in to find out more here.

Borrowing extractors

We have extractors which can be borrowed by members. We charge £10 to hire for up to 3 days and we ask for a £20 deposit which you'll lose if you don't bring the extractor back clean!

Please email resources@lbka.org.uk for more information.

Mentoring

Our mentoring programme gives those new to beekeeping the benefit of advice from an experienced beekeeper. We recommend that new beekeepers are mentored for a year before they take on their own bees.

Places on the mentoring program will be offered to those who have attended the LBKA Introduction to Beekeeping course. Please contact mentor@lbka.org.uk to find out more.

There are limited mentoring opportunities so we expect a certain level of commitment. We reserve the right to replace mentees who do not make regular meetings with those waiting who can. Mentees need their own bee suit and gloves. Please advise of any allergies to stings.

If you've had bees for a couple of seasons and are eager to share your beekeeping knowledge and experience, please email mentor@lbka.org.uk to volunteer to be a mentor.

Help with BBKA exams

We recommend all beekeepers to study for and take the BBKA exams. Even if you already feel you know the content, it can really help crystallise concepts and is a good indication of your beekeeping level. In particular, Bee Basic is recommended for all new beekeepers who have kept their own bees for a whole season. We will help you prepare for these exams. Please email education@lbka.org.uk for more details.

Member discounts

There are some members' discounts for members. Members can log in and see details.

Members' discussion forum

Our Members' Forum a place where members can discuss LBKA and beekeeping issues. It is only open to LBKA members. If you'd like an account, please email services@lbka.org.uk.

Selling to members

You can advertise things for sale on the LBKA-forum Facebook page and also in our monthly newsletter. Contact services@lbka.org.uk for more information.

You cannot sell items on the Open Facebook page.

Volunteers

We are a volunteer-run organisation and are always on the lookout for help from our members. Volunteering is a good way to get involved and meet new people.

Please email services@lbka.org.uk for more information for any of these roles.

We are looking for volunteers for the following roles:

Mentors

If you're an experienced beekeeper who'd you'd like to pass his or her knowledge onto keen mentees, please contact mentor@lbka.org.uk. We're particularly short of mentors in North, West and Central London.

Swarm coordinator

Someone to answer calls about swarms from the public and to coordinate our swarm collectors.

Standby volunteers

We also need to have a list of volunteers that we can call on to help with our events. Please consider joining our list if you're interested in getting involved in the organisation during the year, but don't have the time for a specific role. There's no obligation.