BRADFORD Beekeepers Association are busy helping to preserve the bee population.

This season the association is running a range of projects including Queen Rearing which will help to counteract the loss of colonies new members often suffer - or have queenless colonies - during their first two years of beekeeping.

The initiative also ties in with the new Defra proposals for much more reliance on local queen supplies.

Another project is setting up a bee colony in a Warre beehive. Developed by a French abbot Abbe Emile Warre, the hive is more bee friendly emulating how bees live in the wild.

Bill Cadmore, training officer for Bradford Beekeepers Association explains the initiatives are all designed to up-skill Bradford Beekeepers enabling very skilful bee-keepers to pass on their experience. It also benefits those interested in sustainable bee-keeping.

Bradford Beekeepers Association are also working on creating a deep long hive which involves installing a special floor around a hive enabling people in wheelchairs and those who have difficulty reaching up to get involved.

These projects are an extension of the successful work Bradford Beekeepers Association is already involved in. For several years the association has continued to run training courses for new bee keepers from Knowles park apiary involving classroom lessons and practical hands-on experience.

To find out more, or to get involved, visit:- https://bradfordbeekeepers.co.uk.