The Central Association of Bee-Keepers dates in its present form from 1945, but can trace its origins back to the foundation of the British Beekeepers Association in 1874, which followed suggestions for the formation of a "central" or "national" beekeeping association in the previous year.

At the first meeting Sir John Lubbock, (later Lord Avebury, author of Ants, bees and wasps: a record of observations on the habits of the social Hymenoptera) was elected President, and among other well known names of those present were T.W. Cowan, Rev W.C. Cotton, W.B. Carr, W. Abbott and F. Cheshire. The BBKA originally consisted only of individual members, and one of its functions from the outset was to organise lectures by prominent beekeepers and scientists, which were then published and distributed to members.

The first lecture, in 1879, was given by F.R. Cheshire, on "The cause of abdominal distension in the hive bee in winter". In time, many local beekeeping associations were formed, became affiliated to the BBKA and sent delegates to general meetings. In 1945, the BBKA was reorganised into its present form as an umbrella organisation for its (mainly English) affiliated beekeeping associations. The remaining individual members then formed themselves into a Specialist Member Association of the BBKA called "The Central Association of the British Beekeepers Association", later shortened to its present name. The Patron of the CABK has for many years been the Master of the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers.

The objects of the CABK are to "promote and further the craft of beekeeping". At first lectures were held in London and at various other locations, but perhaps influenced by the successful XIVth International Apicultural Congress held at Royal Leamington Spa in 1951, more recently the programme has settled down to a Spring Meeting in central London, an autumn weekend residential conference at Royal Leamington Spa, now in its 34th year, and occasional sponsored lectures elsewhere.

Over the last six decades, most of the prominent beekeepers and bee scientists working in Britain have lectured, often several times, to the Association. Approximately 240 published versions of CABK lectures in booklet form have now been produced, and three collected volumes of lectures, "Honeybee Biology" (1982), "Keeping Bees" (1993), both edited by Prof. John Free, and "Aspects of Sociality in Insects", edited by Norman Carreck and Tony Johnson have also been published.

Page updated 24 March, 2008

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