Expert beekeeper & campaigner awarded Somerset BKA 'Oscar'

​The winner of Somerset Beekeepers’ most prestigious annual honour – the West Country Honey Farms Award – is Lynne Ingram NDB and Master Beekeeper from Taunton & District Beekeepers.
Her outstanding contribution to the promotion of the craft was recognised by fellow beekeepers at the county’s annual meeting held in March.
Lynne said: “It is an absolute honour to be nominated by my fellow beekeepers, and to be presented with this award. It has been a real pleasure to work with other beekeepers on these different projects, and to be able to spread the word about the importance of bees for our planet.”
Stewart Gould, retiring Chair and previous year’s Award winner, said that Lynne was a highly experienced beekeeper who generously shared her knowledge and passion with beekeepers in Somerset and across the UK.
“She is the driving force behind Somerset BKA’s excellent online lecture programme which brings beekeepers together virtually for practical advice, the latest scientific advances and friendship,” he said.
Lynne is a member of the Education Group, which runs online BBKA module study groups, set up and co-ordinates the Asian Hornet Action Teams and as co-events officer delivered a highly successful Lecture Day.
She is an active member of Taunton Division and has served as Chair and on the committee.
Lynne is a member of the BBKA Exam Board and chairs the Honey Authenticity Network UK (HAN UK), a small charity set up in response to widespread adulteration of honey imports.
Further afield she supports beekeepers in Morocco and has been working with them on the re-introduction of the Yellow Saharan Bee to its native habitat.
“This huge body of work enhances Somerset’s reputation as a BKA committed to its founding principles, namely ‘to advance the craft of apiculture and to promote general awareness and understanding of honeybees’,” concluded Stewart.
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Pic cap: Lynne Ingram holding the magnificent West Country Honey Farms Award rose bowl.