Swarm Control by The Yorkshire Beekeeper, Tony Jefferson
Found Queen Cells? Swarm Control the Tony Jefferson Way A talk by the Yorkshire beekeeper, Tony Jefferson The talk was going to be called “Oh, I found queen cells”. The organisers weren’t sure how to fit that on a poster, but it’s what the whole thing is about. Tony Jefferson keeps his bees in […]
2026 YBKA Photography Competition Results
Our photography competition at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show brought in some lovely entries from YBKA members, and we’re delighted to share the results.
A Wild Colony Turns Up at Scalby Mills
One of our members at Scarborough and District Beekeeping Association had quite a find last week. A wild colony had set up home out in the open, in a hawthorn tree near the apiary at Scalby Mills, and getting them safely down took a scaffold tower, a lot of patience, and one heck of a job from a member who says he won’t be doing it again.
Protecting Your Beehives from Theft: Practical, Proven Strategies for UK Beekeepers
Hive theft is no longer a distant concern. Across Yorkshire, nucleus colonies are now selling for £280 to £350, even in simple corex boxes, and after a winter of heavy losses, strong colonies have never been more valuable. For opportunists, an apiary can look like easy money. For beekeepers, it is a growing risk that cannot be ignored.
This article explores practical, proven ways to protect your hives. From simple, no-cost deterrents to more advanced security options, it sets out how to make your apiary a far less attractive target and how to safeguard the bees and equipment you have worked so hard to build.
Hive Theft Appeal: Thorpe Willoughby
We’re sorry to report a hive theft affecting one of our Barkston Ash Association members. Four Abelo sage green 12-frame hives were stolen today from an apiary in the Thorpe Willoughby area. The theft happened during the day, while the colonies were still full of bees and their foragers were out working. Whoever took them […]
YLAH Sighting in Ripon
Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet Spotted in Ripon We’ve had a confirmed sighting, backed up with a photograph, of a yellow-legged (Asian) hornet in Ripon. The National Bee Unit is already on the case. If you keep bees in or near Ripon, please keep a close watch on your hives over the coming days. Seen one? Don’t […]
Why Every YBKA Member Should Get Themselves to a Healthy Bees Day
A YBKA member’s report from a Bee Farmers Association Healthy Bees Day, run by the National Bee Unit, on spotting EFB, AFB and varroa early.
GYS Report 2026
All A-Flutter at the Great Yorkshire Show 2026 Photo: Linda Beaumont Well, that’s another one under our belt. Well done to everyone who helped with the planning back in March and June, the set-up on Sunday 12 July, the four days of presenting from Tuesday to Friday, and the pack-up on the Friday afternoon. It’s […]
Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet Update (10/05/26)
Yorkshire Beekeepers Association members may find the recent BBKA Yellow Legged Asian Hornet (YLAH) coordinators’ meeting particularly useful, especially given the growing concern around confirmed northern sightings and increasing awareness work across Yorkshire. The discussion focused heavily on practical local action, public engagement, monitoring strategies, volunteer coordination, and concerns around communication from national agencies. Key […]
YBKA Yorkshire Show Photography Competition 2026
We are delighted to launch this year’s Yorkshire Beekeepers’ Association Photography Competition, celebrating the beauty, diversity and importance of the plants that sustain our pollinators. Theme: “Pollinator Plants” This year’s theme invites you to capture the plants and flowers that support bees and other pollinators. Whether it is a garden in full bloom, a wildflower […]