History of St Albans & District Beekeepers Association

Formation and Early Years (1942-1949)

1942
April 15
The First Committee Meeting

The St. Albans Beekeepers Association was founded on April 15, 1942. The inaugural committee meeting took place at The Abbey School, Spicer Street, chaired by Mr. G.W. Whittam, with seven committee members and Mrs. Walker as Secretary.

Mission Statement

The objects of the Association shall be:

1. To unite all Beekeepers in the district for mutual help and well-being.
2. To promote the study of bees and bee-keeping generally and to work for the improvement of the craft by educational meeting, demonstrations, literature and exhibitions of bee-keeping apparatus and produce.

May
BBKA Affiliation

In May 1942, W.H. Herrod Hempsall, renowned for his publicaton "Bee-Keeping New and Old" (1930), was nominated as President. The Secretary wrote to the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) regarding affiliation. This resurfaced in 1959, and St. Albans was finally affiliated in 1965, adopting "Bee Craft" as the official journal and ordering 75 copies.

1943
April
Association Rules

First ‘Rules of St. Albans BKA.’ approval by Members at AGM. 

Shenley Branch | Barnet

The Shenley Branch was formed, and Barnet BKA had a joint meeting with St. Albans. Dr. Colin Butler from Rothamsted, who first isolated the queen substance, lectured on "Biology and Plants for Bees" and contributed to the winter program covering the BBKA Craftsman Examination syllabus.

May
Herts Central Council

In May 1943, the Secretary approached other Hertfordshire beekeeping associations to form a Central Council for Hertfordshire, agreed upon at the first AGM of Herts Federation BKA in February 1944.

1945 to 1949
St. Albans Honey Show Open to All

The St. Albans Honey Show in September 1945 was open to all HBKA members, with 80 entries. Winter meetings were held at Oaklands, and by 1946, HBKA was holding evening classes with two lectures from each association. The association organised beekeeping courses at St. Albans Art School in 1948-49.

Growth and Development (1950s-1960s)

The 1950s and 1960s were periods of
significant growth and development
for St. Albans BKA.
The First Committee Meeting

In 1950, Dr. C. Butler spoke at Shenley, with invita5ons extended to other local associa5ons. The commiBee s5ll included some founder members, such as Mr. Whitlam, Messrs. Apps, King, and Tansley.

Mission Statement

The objects of the Association shall be

1. To unite all Beekeepers in the district for mutual help and well-being.
2. To promote the study of bees and bee-keeping generally and to work for the improvement of the craft by educational meeting, demonstrations, literature and exhibitions of bee-keeping apparatus and produce.

May
BBKA Affiliation

In May 1942, W.H. Herrod Hempsall, renowned for his publicaton "Bee-Keeping New and Old" (1930), was nominated as President. The Secretary wrote to the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) regarding affiliation. This resurfaced in 1959, and St. Albans was finally affiliated in 1965, adopting "Bee Craft" as the official journal and ordering 75 copies.

1943
April
Association Rules

First ‘Rules of St. Albans BKA.’ approval by Members at AGM. 

The Shenley Branch was formed, and Barnet BKA had a joint meeting with St. Albans. Dr. Colin Butler from Rothamsted, who first isolated the queen substance, lectured on "Biology and Plants for Bees" and contributed to the winter program covering the BBKA Craftsman Examination syllabus.

May
Herts Central Council

In May 1943, the Secretary approached other Hertfordshire beekeeping associations to form a Central Council for Hertfordshire, agreed upon at the first AGM of Herts Federation BKA in February 1944.

1945 to 1949
St. Albans Honey Show Open to All

The St. Albans Honey Show in September 1945 was open to all HBKA members, with 80 entries. Winter meetings were held at Oaklands, and by 1946, HBKA was holding evening classes with two lectures from each association. The association organised beekeeping courses at St. Albans Art School in 1948-49.

St Albans & District Beekeepers Association CIO (SABKA) Registered Charity No-1193448
 is an Affiliated Local Association (ALA) of Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association (HBKA) Registered Charity No-1184766. 
Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association (HBKA) is an Area Association Member (AAM) of The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) Registered Charity No-1185343.
Click to view our Charity Registration Certificate

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St Albans & District Beekeepers Association CIO (SABKA) Registered Charity No-1193448
 is an Affiliated Local Association (ALA) of Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association (HBKA) Registered Charity No-1184766. 
Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association (HBKA) is an Area Association Member (AAM) of The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) Registered Charity No-1185343.
Click to view our Charity Registration Certificate

St Albans & District Beekeepers Association CIO (SABKA) Registered Charity No-1193448
 is an Affiliated Local Association (ALA) of Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association (HBKA) Registered Charity No-1184766. 
Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association (HBKA) is an Affiliated Local Association (ALA) of The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) Registered Charity No-1185343.
Click to view our Charity Registration Certificate

St Albans & District Beekeepers Association CIO (SABKA) Registered Charity No-1193448
 is an Affiliated Local Association (ALA) of Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association (HBKA) Registered Charity No-1184766. 
Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association (HBKA) is an Affiliated Local Association (ALA) of The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) Registered Charity No-1185343.
Click to view our Charity Registration Certificate