About Us

The Vale and Downland Beekeepers’ Association, formerly known as Wantage and District Beekeepers Association, was founded in 1963 and since 1991 has been a registered charity whose aims are to promote bee keeping for the public benefit. We have similar objectives and are affiliated to the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA). Our membership has been growing, and currently stands at 149.

Our yearly programme of monthly meetings includes apiary meetings during spring and summer, and indoor meetings during the winter where we usually have a guest speaker. We hold additional apiary meetings during the summer especially for beginners to be able have close contact with the bees. We also arrange visits for local groups to attend an apiary as one of their group meetings.

Our association also educates the public by promoting the craft of beekeeping at local craft and Agriculture/Horticulture shows where we exhibit our wide range of products.

We provide demonstrations for schools and other organisations, such as scouts, residential homes for the elderly.

We liaise with local councils, police and other beekeeping associations for swarm reports. We also work closely with farmers and contract sprayers to provide spray warnings for our members in the areas concerned.

Membership of our association is open to anyone in the Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Vale of White Horse areas, keeping bees or having an interest in beekeeping and includes use of our extensive library, hire of some beekeeping equipment, BBKA News, Insurance and much more.