At last nights Annual General Meeting, John Lauwerys who has been Chair of Hampshire Beekeeping Association stepped down after serving 6 years in the position. John became chair at a time when it was thought that HBA might have to wind up leaving a large gap as an Area Association Member for BBKA.

Thankfully under his leadership and the hard work of all the trustees over the period of six year, HBA has grow from strength to strength with improved communications and media presents, a wide variety of events from the annual “Bee Health Day“, “Queen Rearing Course” and of course the successful “Honey Show & Convention” which this year will be held on the 5th of October 2025 at Sparsholt College.

Peter George who joined as a trustee last year and also serves on the committee of Winchester BKA has stepped up into the position and will no doubt take HBA to higher heights. We wish him well in his new role.

I’ve kept bees for 9 years with 5-8 hives. On Winchester’s WDBKA committee, I have been arranging apiary meetings and winter talks for 3 years. As trustee of HBA, I have coordinated two Honey Shows at Sparsholt College. I look after Sparsholt College’s bees, teaching a beginners’ introductory class there. I am also a trustee of the charity Bees Abroad, that improves futures in Africa through beekeeping.

I’m keen to chair our trustees’ committee, steering HBA’s activities and pursuing HBA’s role. I want to maintain a strong voice for Hampshire in the workings of BBKA. But I am most keen on how HBA can help associations expand their support to their beekeepers and to the general public.

With minimal funds, I think HBA’s role is to catalyse and cross-pollinate various beekeeping activities between associations to help grow their beekeeping abilities and enjoyment by sharing with or learning from neighbouring associations.

I’d like to thank John Lauwerys for his hard work as Chair over the last 6 years, building and nurturing a talented team of trustees, fishing new additions from all over the county and focusing them on many different activities including Honey and Health Shows & Conventions, local Asian Hornet conferences, cooperative purchases and training in many subjects, including queen rearing. John has also raised Hampshire’s voice on many matters at the national gathering of the BBKA . I look forward to keeping in touch and seeing him do battle, exhibiting his honey at future shows!