Saffron Walden Beekeepers

Division of the Essex Beekeepers Association

Our aim

We strive to promote and support beekeeping in Saffron Walden and the surrounding areas. The division actively encourages new beekeepers and provides comprehensive advice and training, along with the support of many experienced beekeepers via a mentoring system.

For experienced beekeepers, the Saffron Walden Division provides mutual support, updates on techniques, access to equipment and on-going training opportunities.

Membership benefits

We provide the following -

  • Promotion of the craft of beekeeping
  • Encouragement of new beekeepers
  • Mutual support to all beekeepers
  • Active social and educational programme
  • BBKA membership & Bee Diseases Insurance
  • Access to loan equipment

If you are interested in keeping bees -




SWBKA History

Saffron Walden Beekeepers’ Association was one of the first Divisions of the Essex Beekeepers’ Association, founded in 1880. This was when beekeeping was moving from age of skeps to the recognisable modern wooden hive, most notably the white sloping roofed hive with stackable lifts, which was the iconic style of William Broughton Carr (WBC).

An application was made by Saffron Walden Beekeepers’ Association for affiliation to the Essex Beekeepers’ Association on ‘co-operative lines’ in 1919 along with two other groups. These were the days when there were special reduced rates for ‘cottagers and labourers’ and of the dreaded Isle of Wight disease which decimated bee stocks in the country. We were one of five Divisions in the new constitution of Essex Beekeepers as it reformed its constitution in 1939. Currently we are one of the largest divisions out of the nine, having well over 100 members.

We have some of the most experienced and well-qualified beekeepers in the county. Our representation at the County Show can be traced back to 1889 and we remain very active in the Essex Honey Show winning cups for honey, candles, honey cooking etc. as well as the coveted President’s Cup for the most points in the county in recent years.