News from the BBKA

Allotment Survey update 18/08/08

Many thanks to the 248 of you who responded by the closing date of 31st August. When I designed the survey I had envisaged a simple 'tick-box' kind of process, but most of you have written at some length of your experiences and approachs to enabling beekeeping on allotments. I will be collating these into a more complete document in the next month or so - watch this space.

However, I have had time to carry out a preliminary analysis: Of the responses, 161 (67%) fell into group A, i.e. beekeeping was allowed and viewed positively. 64 (26%) fell into group B - bees not allowed. Interestingly, this response does not seem to be in any particular area or type of allotment management; large city councils and small parish councils were both represented. 16 (7%) fell into group C - permission revoked.

Of these, 6 were instances where the beekeeper had voluntarily decided to remove bees before any problem arose, rather than risk putting bees in a bad light.

Thanks again to all the participants.

Chris Deaves
Chair, E&H"

Many thanks to those of you who have responded  to the survey form circulated with the June BBKA News. We now have over 200 responses, most with a wealth of useful hints and tips.

If you can respond, please do so - can we make it 300? We are interested in beekeepers who keep bees on allotments or have had permission to do so refused or withdrawn. Please see the article in the Business Corner of BBKA News for further information. If you have lost the response form, one is available to download here.

The closing date is 31st July 2008.