Yellow-legged asian hornets
Voracious insect-eating ​Asian hornets (Vespa veluntina nigrithorax) have overwintered in Britain for the first time this year.
In areas where they're well established, the number of native insect species is declining and so are bat numbers and insect-eating birds. 
Please help to save our bees and pollinators!  
Report sightings immediately via ​the Asian Hornet Watch app on Android and iPhone or the online form.  

Report a swarm

Swarms are a natural way for honey bee colonies to reproduce in the late spring and summer. Beekeepers work hard to manage this natural impulse, but sometimes they are unsuccessful.
To find a local swarm collector and discover more about bees that can be confused with honey bees click here. 

TAUNTON & SOMERSET COUNTY HONEY SHOW

The Taunton Honey Show, incorporating the Somerset County Honey Show takes place on Fri 2nd and Sat 3rd August at Vivary Park in Taunton, TA1 3SX.
Tickets and more information are available from https://tauntonfs.co.uk/

Opening hours are:
  • Fri 2nd: 10:30am - 6pm
  • Sat 3rd: 9:30am - 5pm

The show schedule is downloadable below if you would like to enter one or more of the classes.
Taunton and Somerset Honey Show Schedule
File Size: 351 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Join Somerset BKA

If you are a member of another association or are from overseas and would like to support Somerset BKA, then you can become a County Associate Member. It will give you access to lecture recordings as well as to our events and newsletter. 

2025 lecture day

The 2025 Lecture Day will be held on Saturday, 8 February!
​We'll post more details in the coming months.​

Online lecture series 

Our online lectures are free and help to increase your knowledge of beekeeping practice and learn about the latest honey bee research. Catch up on previous talks which are available for members to watch. 
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Beginners' courses

Are you interested in keeping honey bees? Or do you know someone who is? Then take a look at our Beginners' Courses.

Join Somerset BKA

Primarily we exist for the benefit of our members and provide a wide range of activities and services aimed at active beekeepers and those with an interest in honey bees and apiculture.
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Enjoy practical training and education courses, talks and lectures, expertise and encouragement, insurance and much, much more!

LOCAL HONEY

Local beekeepers produce local honey! It’s usually raw (untreated), contains local pollen and is additive-free.  Honey is reputed to have a variety of health benefits and medical uses – and it tastes good, too!
Local honey is available directly from our members, also at many independent retailers as well as at our Honey Shows.

Swarm Collection

The best way to find someone to help with a swarm is to click the link below, which will take you to the British Beekeepers’ Association website, where you can find your nearest swarm collector.

Education

Honey bees and other pollinators are having a tough time because of pests and diseases, loss of habitat and pesticides. One of our key roles is to help our members keep healthy and strong colonies.
​Read our regular newsletters by clicking the button below.

OUR GOAL

Promoting beekeeping and supporting beekeepers and honey bees in Somerset

Upcoming Events