Somerset GP wins West Country Honey Farms Award 2026

Somerset Beekeepers Association is delighted to announce that Dr Richard Bache, a Master Beekeeper, National Diploma in Beekeeping holder, and practising Somerset GP, has been named the winner of the West Country Honey Farms Award 2026.
The award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the organisation and is often described as “the Oscar for supporting Somerset Beekeepers Association”.
Dr Bache has played a central role in the Association for many years, contributing across education, governance, and the preservation of Somerset’s beekeeping heritage. His service includes:

• Six years as Somerset BKA Secretary
• Newsletter editor
• Education officer
• Member of the Education Support Group, delivering online BBKA exam study sessions via Zoom
• Somerset’s delegate to the BBKA Annual Delegates Meeting
• Deputy representative to the South West Beekeeping Forum
• Somerset BKA Archivist, safeguarding the county’s beekeeping history
• Examiner for BBKA exams
• BBKA examiner

Beyond his formal roles, Richard is known for his deep knowledge of the craft and his extensive personal library of beekeeping books, which he readily shares with others.
Presenting the trophy, Somerset BKA President Anne Pike said: “Richard is a very worthy winner of the county’s principal award. His dedication, expertise and generosity have strengthened Somerset Beekeepers Association in countless ways, and his contribution to education has benefited beekeepers across the county and beyond.”
The Association warmly congratulates Dr Bache on this well deserved recognition.
ENDS

About Somerset Beekeepers Association:

• Somerset Beekeepers Association (SBKA) CIO Charity was originally set up in 1906. It's charitable purpose is:
• "to advance the education of the public and beekeepers in the craft of beekeeping and to promote the importance of bees in the environment" 
• SBKA has around 1,250 members and is made up of 12 branches. The volunteer-run organisation is governed by its trustees who are elected by the membership who are all members of its branches. The SBKA Charity is affiliated to the British Beekeepers Association.
• We provide training, promote best practice and offer advice, support and education to beekeepers and the public.
• Over the years our members have made – and continue to make - an impressive contribution to British beekeeping at both national and county level.
• We are the voice of Somerset’s beekeepers and honey bees!

https://www.somersetbeekeepers.org.uk