SSDBKA is a Registered Charity, Charity Number : 519681. We operate through out the South Staffordshire area covering Stafford, Wolverhampton, Stone and Lichfield.
Our aim is to educate those interested in beekeeping and the general public with an interest in bees, about bees and the techniques and requirements for keeping bees.
The Association has been operation for over a 100 years.
We are affiliated to the BBKA, British Beekeepers Association
A Brief History Of The Association
1883 – First Meeting of Staffordshire County Beekeepers’ Association at the Swan Hotel, Stafford. Although there had been bee keepers’ meetings and shows before this.
1940 – there were over 700 members and they were centred on branches in Wolverhampton, Cannock and Stafford.
1942 – the insurance scheme of the British Bee Keepers’ Association was joined.
1946 – saw increased capitation fees from BBKA and the members in the North formed their own association (North Staffordshire BKA).
1962 – the County Beekeepers’ Association amalgamated with the South Staffordshire and District Bee Keepers’ Association.
We now have 150 or so members who come from Stafford, Cannock, Wolverhampton and a wide circle outside that triangle. Our Apiary is maintained in Shugborough Hall grounds where we have 15 hives, storage sheds and a marquee for small meetings. We hold the beginner meetings and apiary meetings here in the summer months.