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Dartford Beekeepers are a branch of the Kent Beekeepers Association

Registered Charity—222946

Site updated Saturday, July 3, 2010— Revision154

To contact Dartford beekeepers webmaster click here

Copyright 2010 Dartford Beekeepers

About Us

Time Line

  •  An association of beekeepers in this area was established around the turn of the century and assumed the title of the Crayford and District Beekeepers Association.

  •    In 1912 it made approaches to the only other group of beekeepers in Kent who had grouped together at Ashford, and suggested the establishment of a countywide organisation, which they formed together, and it eventually became the present Kent Beekeepers Association (KBKA). As many local members resided in the Bexley, Erith, Belvedere area, and one at Blackheath, as well as in the Dartford Town and rural area, it was decided to rename the branch as the Dartford Branch of the KBKA.

  •    As the interest in bee keeping grew, it was decided in 1932 that a branch apiary be created whereby lectures and demonstrations could be held. With the help of members buying shares together with the donation of equipment in lieu of purchasing shares, the apiary was sited at the farm of Mr. Vincent, at Bedonwell, Belvedere.

  •   The branch remained here until the farm was sold for housing in 1935, and the farmer moved the Apiary to Parsonage farm at Erith, which he also owned but it retained the name Bedonwell Apiary.

  •    The Apiary was again moved in 1938 to another of Mr. Vincent's farms at Hockenden, Birchwood.

  •    In 1992 the site was required for further farming activities and the Apiary was on the move once again.

  •    For the next seven years an area of land at Longfield Hill, owned by one of our Members, was used, but it was too far from the centre of our catchment area.

  •    In 1999, the Apiary moved to its present site at Tredegar Allotments, which is well sited and provides many amenities for the present members. It is maintained with the environment firmly in mind. We have a pond and marsh area, as honeybees need a lot of water, which is also an ideal habitat for reptiles, amphibians and insects. Several dragon flies have been sighted feasting on the odd bee!

We are a friendly, helpful group, and continue to provide instruction, demonstrations and lectures, together with a welcome cup of coffee/tea plus biscuits during the break at the sessions held each month.

A queen rearing programme is undertaken to re-establish the former black English Bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) is underway together with assistance offered to members by supplying queens and providing the facilities to mate their own virgin queens at the Apiary.

The objectives of the Branch, which as part of the KBKA is a registered Charity and Company, are to promote good beekeeping practice, recognition of disease and integrated management of hive pests.

Working closely with the community: our chairman, William Mundy, has given lectures to both children and adults in schools and workshops which he runs himself, and where he is always happy to promote his extensive knowledge of bee keeping.

Adults and children are actively encouraged to attend our meetings and talks at the Apiary, where protective clothing is available. Further details can be found in our events section.