We formed in 1917, as the King's Lynn and District Beekeepers' Association. In 2007 the name changed to West Norfolk and King's Lynn Beekeepers' Association (WNKLBA) to reflect the wide area in which our members live. We work to promote bees and beekeeping and provide a range of member services to beekeepers in Norfolk.

We are part of the British Beekeeper's Association (BBKA) who amongst other things provide insurance cover and organise beekeeping qualifications and we have close ties with other beekeeping organisations in the region, particularly Norfolk Beekeeping Association (NBKA).

Members

We currently have over 250 members and cover a broad spectrum of beekeepers from those with one hive in their garden to those with 30+ hives in several apiaries; from those who have just started beekeeping to those with over fifty years’ experience; from King's Lynn, Holt, Norwich, Wymondham, East Dereham, Wisbech, Downham Market and Spalding areas, the common factor is an enjoyment of working with bees and of meeting with others of a like mind in friendly and informal ways.

We are particularly keen to help those new to beekeeping and you will find details of our Association Apiary on this website. We hold taster days, introductory courses and further training courses each year and help our members achieve the basic and more challenging qualifications set by the BBKA.

You will find us at Shows around Norfolk throughout the summer season, particularly the Sandringham Show which is where our members exhibit their honey and other bee related products, which are judged and awarded certificates by National Honey Judges.

If you have any questions about beekeeping then do get in contact and join this hugely interesting and enjoyable pastime.

I always see the AGM as the beginning of the beekeeping season and it’s certainly the time I begin to think about first inspections, however, only in as much as I need to ensure I have all the equipment cleaned and ready to go. Chances are the weather won’t allow for me opening the hives for at least another three or four weeks, but I like to be prepared.

The committee, on the other hand, have already begun their work for the year, Beginners and Improvers courses are well underway and we are now planning for our first event and sales day at the apiary, see the article above.

Please keep up to date with events that are being organised and show your appreciation for the work the committee do by turning up and supporting those events, watch out for them in Bee Aware as they will always be published in advance, even those of you who are long term beekeepers can always learn something simply by turning up and mingling with others with a like mind.

For those of you just starting out there is a great deal to be learned and I guarantee your confidence in handling your bees will be enhanced by coming along, listening and following the advice of our senior beekeepers. Even more importantly, if you have the time, speak to Richard Lee about helping out at the apiary, sometimes you may only be required for more menial tasks but you will learn just by working alongside the team and when they do open up the bees, being alongside them you will be amazed how quickly your knowledge and skills improve.

My thanks to all our committee members for the work they do, and for those who volunteered to join us at the AGM, welcome, I look forward to seeing you at future meetings.

I do hope your bees made it safely through the Winter and I wish you in advance a successful beekeeping season and for those taking modules this year I wish you the best of luck.

Phil Cane
Hobbyist Beekeeper and WNKLBA Chair