Beekeeping is not just an interesting hobby. Insect pollination of plants is vital for human and environmental survival. Honeybees are an important part of the pollinator population and many beekeepers feel it is important to offer information to schools with talks and the Bees in the Curriculum project and the general public to interest and educate them about the environment and where their food comes from. Of course, lots of people are keen to buy honey and other hive products too.
Members of the K&SW BKA go into schools and take bees to young people’s groups and meetings such as scouts and brownies. We attend local shows such as the Lakeland Rose Show and Damson Day in the Lyth Valley and take bees along to local wildlife trust events. The observation hive always attracts lots of interest.
The BBKA run examinations for those beekeepers interested in improving their own beekeeping education. Small groups within the K&SW BKA meet together to work for these and the society has syllabuses and relevant DVDs.