The Lleyn & Efionydd Beekeepers’ Association(LLEBKA) are a friendly association of approximately 80 members, most of whom keep bees, promoting the craft of bee husbandry and the benefits of the products within the hive, to the public.
The early history of the association is a little vague but from the evidence of old bank account books it was definitely active during the late 1930’s. Membership is drawn mainly from the Lleyn and surrounding communities but this has not always been true. Old membership lists show members from all over the old county area of Caernarfonshire and sometimes further afield.
The Association has its own apiary of six hives near Pwllheli. Not only do these provide an income to the association but also have training and educational value. The apiary is looked after by two of our most experienced members.
The association holds regular monthly meetings throughout the year. Winter meeting are held at Bro Plennydd School, Y Ffor, where we have an interesting and varied programme of speakers covering all aspects of apiculture and with the occasionally speaker on an unrelated topic of local interest. Summer meetings are held either at the association apiary or at member’s apiaries. Here, members benefit from the knowledge of the more experienced beekeepers in the association in all aspects of bee husbandry, hive manipulation, pests and diseases, swarm handling and much much more. Meetings provide a valuable opportunity for members to mix and socialise in a relaxed atmosphere.
A monthly newsletter is produced for members containing association and bee keeping news and articles of interest. The LLEBKA is affiliated to the Welsh Beekeepers Association and members receive their quarterly publication “The Welsh Beekeeper”.