Appeal for volunteers who get a buzz out of bees

A network of teachers of bee-keeping is being set up, to help a burgeoning army of backyard keepers help their hives through the winter. And a Yorkshireman has been appointed to run the project.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Oct 2010, 16:24 BST
Updated 15th Oct 2010, 16:24 BST

The Department of Environment Food & Rural Affairs, its National Bee Unit, based at Sand Hutton, near York, and the National Diploma of Beekeeping Board, will pay most of the costs and provide some teachers, plus training for 400 volunteers.

The British Beekeeping Association (BBKA) will chip in 90,000 to the 310,000 costs. And Bill Cadmore of Leeds, vice chairman of the BBKA in Yorkshire, will organise the volunteers and the training programme.

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He will hold a pilot meeting in Ormskirk, Lancashire, before the end of October, to introduce potential teachers from the north west of England to teaching materials and training courses provided by the government's agencies.

Similar events are being organised for other regions. Developments will be posted at www.britishbee.org.uk/

Mr Cadmore was assistant principal at Pudsey Grangefield School until he left to make a living as a a contract bee-keeper.

He is currently looking after hives for Leeds University and local businesses who keep bees on their roofs.

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He said that he would find most of his teachers through the BBKA but would be interested to hear from professional teachers willing to train up and work for small fees – 20-40 a day. Contact [email protected]/

Defra said: "Soaring numbers of people are taking up the hobby amid concern over honey-bee decline. But due to challenges from pests and diseases, inexperienced beekeepers are losing more colonies over winter, so better skills are needed."

CW 16/10/10

Related topics:YorkYorkshire