Newbattle Beekeepers Association

Podcast Episode 19 of the Podcast goes into more detail about his position on treatment-free beekeeping.  Click on the image to listen

This year is the worst year on record for credible sightings and nests destroyed.

The range of the insect has extended from the South of the UK to locations in the North.

Confirmed sightings are on record for North Yorkshire and Runcorn in Cheshire.

A reported sighting was also recorded for Cork in Ireland. This is the second hornet to be found in Ireland, the first being in Dublin in 2021.

Scottish Beekeepers Association - MODULE EXAMS DEADLINE

Every year the SBA run two diets of module exams where you can expand your honey bee and beekeeping knowledge. The next are on Saturday 15th November and the closing date to register to sit one of these module exams is less than 2 weeks away, Tuesday 30th Sept. To register please click here. 

For more information on each of the modules and to download their current syllabus please click here. Please note the Recommended Reading List has been updated, and you can download that here.

If you have any questions or want to find out more, please contact Alan Riach the SBA Education Officer, via education@scottishbeekeepers.org.uk

Read the Blog Post Here

Winter Studies

Are you keen to develop your honeybee and beekeeping knowledge this year? Why not study for one of the Scottish Beekeepers Association  beekeeping modules? The next diet of the module exams is on Saturday 15th of November, but registration for these exams closes on the 30th of September. To register please click here.

Please don't let the word 'Exam' put you off! There is tremendous satisfaction in unearthing new facts when preparing for these exams. And you're adding to your honeybee and beekeeping knowledge, which can only be a good thing. There's a variety of topics to choose from including the management of honey bees, their biology, behaviour, diseases and pests, to honey bee products and forage. The new Plants and Pollinators module is included in this round.

So why not think about studying for one or more of the modules and enjoy expanding your knowledge? To find out more please click here

The latest Blog Post by Steve Donohoe looks at a recently published article in Scientific Reports 

Read the Walrus Blog Post Here

The Beekeeping Show takes place on Saturday 21 February 2026 at Telford International Centre.

It is the premier UK beekeeping trade show, attracting visitors and exhibitors from worldwide. 1,850+ visitors and 69 exhibitors are expected to attend.

The International Centre is within minutes of a national motorway and rail networks. There will be FREE on-site show day parking for show goers. Hotels are situated in close proximity to the venue.

Tickets are available via the show website:

http://www.thebeekeepingshow.co.uk 

Our friends at the Welsh Beekeepers' Association - Cymdeithas Gwenynwyr Cymru have another fascinating webinar coming up on the 11th Sep at 7.30pm with Jacques van Alphen, the title of which is ‘Honey Bees - A Natural & Less Natural History’

To register please visit

https://lnkd.in/euKb_ds8

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Scientists at Oxford University have developed a honeybee "superfood" that could protect the bees against the threats of climate change and habitat loss.

Click here to read the full story on the BBC Website

Updated Varroa Map As part of the Honey Bee Health Strategy’s Implementation Plan, the Varroa map, first introduced in 2023, was developed to help identify areas in Scotland where particular care is needed to prevent the spread of Varroa to regions that are still free of the pest. One noticeable highlight from the promotion and communications of this, was the partnership with NorthLink Ferries, who kindly agreed to display the poster at their ports and on board their vessels, helping us reach beekeepers travelling between mainland Scotland and the Orkney Islands. In keeping with our commitment to provide up-to-date information, the Scottish Government’s Honey Bee Health Team has completed a biannual update of the Varroa map. This update incorporates new data from BeeBase and reports from Scottish beekeepers to reflect: Areas where Varroa has been reported present Areas with mixed reports (i.e. some localised presence or absence) Areas with no reported cases of Varroa Key changes include: No part of Skye and Raasay currently has a sufficient number of Varroa-free beekeepers to define the area as ‘free’; the entire island has therefore been reclassified as ‘mixed’ A slight expansion has been recorded in the area of Mull On a positive note, all samples submitted from Orkney continue to show no reported cases of Varroa The updated Varroa map and flyer can be downloaded and printed by clicking on the links below  Updated Varroa map Updated Varroa flyer If you would like to contact the Scottish Government Bee Health Team please email Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot