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.
Having been elected to the Chair of WNKLBA in February 2022 I look forward to leading the Association into what we hope to be an exciting period of our development.
Our membership continues to grow with new beekeepers, returning beekeepers, lapsed beekeepers and beekeepers, with varying levels of experience, moving to the area or joining from adjacent areas.
We have a new apiary site, where we maintain around a dozen hives, which is very much fit for purpose and is continually being upgraded and improved by our very enthusiastic team of volunteer members and helpers.
The apiary is very much the heart of our Association and is where our fantastic education team and their helpers, work extremely hard to ensure that new and experienced beekeepers alike have access to familiarisation days, training courses, specifically tailored training days and instruction to assist members in revising for and passing the various examinations and assessments, available to all through the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA).
We also take our beekeeping knowledge and skills to the general public, specifically at the Sandringham Flower Show in July, where we also hold our annual ‘Honey Show’. Our members opportunity to showcase their talents in producing honey, wax products, cakes, and other bee related art and craft products, (with more than a little help from their bees). We will also be hosting a ‘Bee Weekend’ in June at the Downham Home and Garden Store and attending the Aylsham Show with a Beekeeping stand in August.
All of the above requires careful management, not least in terms of the finances needed to run the Association, which is a Registered Charity and is therefore subject to the stringent rules applied by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Obviously, the past few years have been difficult. The dreaded pandemic has curtailed our activities somewhat and carrying out face to face instruction, holding meetings and work parties, has been difficult to say the least. However, by finding other ways to inform and instruct, mainly via social media, managed once again by skilled committee members, we have managed to keep our beekeepers and the general public informed.
I, as the Chair, therefore rely very heavily on the extremely dedicated, knowledgeable and multi-skilled members of the Committee, to whom I am incredibly indebted.
If you are interested in this incredible craft, or are already a member and would like to offer your services to the committee, please don’t hesitate to contact me or indeed any of the committee members, who you can meet on the following pages
Phil Cane
Hobbyist Beekeeper and WNKLBA Chair