Guildford Beekeepers has a full programme of events during the year.
Apart from its weekly meetings at the Association Apiary on Saturdays during the Spring, Summer, and Autumn there are many social events.
See below for our current programme which is added to on a regular basis.
Entry forms and rules
A full list of the entry categories along with rules can be found in the attached documents.
THE MIND OF THE BEE
Lars Chittka will give a talk on The Mind of a Bee on Wednesday 7th October at Dorking United Reformed Church, 53 West Street, Dorking, RH4 1BS (local car parks are free after 6pm). Entry is £2 per person. Doors open at 6.40pm and the talk starts at 7.15pm.
Lars will be bringing copies of his book. Signed copies can be ordered for collection on the night (approx. £14 depending on numbers ordered).
The event will be hosted by Reigate Beekeepers so reserve your place and/or order the book at secretary@
Guildford Beekeepers Events 2026
The aim of GBKA events is to promote awareness of bees, other pollinators, and pollinator friendly plants.
We have an educational theme, with the experience of seeing live bees in an observation hive and the opportunity of sampling and purchasing lovely honey. Children’s activities include drawing, colouring and badge making, all about bees. We also offer information on our training courses and, of course, information on our division and membership.
We aim to help and entertain you, the public, and look forward to meeting you at the following events:
Saturday 27th June Cranleigh Carnival
Monday 31st August Peaslake Fete
Sat/Sun 12th & Sun 13th September Surrey Hills Wood Fair, Cranleigh Showground
Sunday 4th October GBKA Honeyfest. Shalford Village Hall
Apiary Sessions – GBKA members only
From October fortnightly sessions, with one themed session per month, will be held at the Association Apiary near Bramley. Everyone is welcome to attend all sessions; the barn is open from 10:15 so that we can start any work in the apiary at 10:30 am. Once completed we aim to sit down with some refreshments and start the talk/discussions between 11:15 – 11:30, finishing around 12:30. If further information is required then please contact me.
Susan Kimber [email protected]
Upcoming Apiary Sessions – GBKA members only
| 01/08/2026 | Apiary Session |
| 08/08/2026 | Apiary Session |
| 15/08/2026 | Apiary Session |
| 22/08/2026 | Apiary Session |
| 29/08/2026 | Apiary Session |
| 05/09/2026 | Apiary Session |
| 12/09/2026 | Apiary session |
| 19/09/2026 | Autumn ‘Spring’ Clean and Barbecue |
| 26/09/2026 | Apiary Session |
BBKA Practical Assessments.
It is planned that the two practical assessments, Honey Bee Health Certificate and Basic Assessment, will again be run at the apiary this summer. If you are interested in taking either assessment please contact Jacqueline Tolley ( [email protected] ), for the Honey Bee Health Certificate, or Geoff Lane ( [email protected] ), for the Basic Assessment, for further details.
BBKA Courses – BBKA Members Only
The BBKA run a number of courses which are very popular
BBKA Member Hub
The BBKA Member Hub, previously known as BBKA Online Learning, is a digital platform for members, where you will find details of the regular monthly Zoom talks, training resources including module study material and training courses, when available.
For more information and to book places, please visit the shop on the BBKA website
Beekeeper Training – open to all
For anyone considering becoming a beekeeper it is essential to do both a Theory and a Practical Course. Guildford Beekeepers Association (GBKA) has been running both Theory and Practical Courses for many years and our experience in this field is exemplary. We take pride in providing a solid grounding in the craft so that beginners have the confidence to manage bees on their own. Trainees are further supported by automatic membership with GBKA during the course, with access to the Association Apiary at weekends. When the trainees acquire their bees, there is a mentoring scheme through which they can contact a more experienced member to help them through the first years.