Attaining BBKA Beacon School status has been surreal. For years, it has been the ultimate aim of our Beekeeping Society, almost like the summit at which we would gaze from the foothills of our journey. It was the pinnacle that gave us an intrinsic determination, yet I believe it important to redefine what the award really means on a more practical and personal level.
In simple terms, it has been the recognition of all the honey we have harvested, all the hives we have managed and the bees we have cared for. For several years now, we have devoted our Wednesday lunchbreaks to these insects, meticulously searching for disease, signs of swarms and indicators of a hive needing help.
However, all the work we put in, one could say, is precisely just for our own benefit – we get honey in return. Therefore, I think it is important to ascertain that this award is also a symbol of our contribution to our wider community. Over the years we have been k…