by Malcolm Wilkie

My time as chairman is now coming to an end after three years. As with any organisation change occurs. I have also said I wish to hand over the organisation of the training to someone else although will still be involved. So 2025 is going to be a year of transition. Peter Coxon will be giving up his role as apiary manager at Horsted Green Park apiary and has said he now wishes to step back from this committee. Keith Obbard comes to the end of his time as President. Sandy Infield also is stepping down as events coordinator. The committee has been actively looking to replace these key figures and several people have been approached and accepted to get more involved in the work of our club. Roxanne Gould has said she is prepared to stand as chair but has made it clear that she wants the role advertised so others can stand if they so desired. Most committee members are remaining. However, we are looking for others to sit on the committee perhaps as a general member with a view to taking on a future role and particularly would like newer or younger members to come forward to reinvigorate the work of the association. If there were anyone (particularly with digital experience), please put your name forward. Clubs function because of people who volunteer their time and skills so others can learn and progress. If you could commit the time to four or five meetings a year, please give this request some careful consideration and send me an email on: (mj.wilkie2014@gmail.com)

The Great British honey scandal

The Observer

https://observer.co.uk/listen/the-slow-newscast/the-great-british-honey-scandal

An uncomfortable transition? The buzz about Asian hornets. Cosmic ray neutrons and soil moisture

30-Oct-25 – BBC Farming Today

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002lfxj

Aucklanders told to look out for hornets after queen found

24-Oct-25 – RNZ

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/576778/aucklanders-told-to-look-out-for-hornets-after-queen-found

David Austin Roses scores with a white rose inspired by David Beckham

22-Oct-25 – Country Living

https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/gardens/a69116994/david-austin-david-beckham-rose

The unbreakable link between the protection of honeybees and pollinators and the future of agriculture

21-Oct-25 – OpenAccess Government

Extending Countryside Stewardship agreements avoids funding cliff edge

15-Oct-25 – Wildlife Trusts

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/extending-countryside-stewardship-agreements-avoids-funding-cliff-edge

‘Serious threat’ warning as Asian hornets found in part of UK for first time

14-Oct-25 – The Independent

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/asian-hornet-northern-ireland-first-sighting-b2844853.html

Jersey method to track hornets 'used across Europe'

09-Oct-25 – BBC News

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c39rm9m997eo

Crossford beekeeper receives international recognition

01-Oct-25 – Dunfermline Press

https://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/25508379.crossford-beekeeper-receives-international-recognition

Honeybee pollen may hold natural antibiotics to save hives from infection

30-Sep-25 – OpenAccess Government

Insects in Britain not in freefall, but facing local upheavals, study finds

22-Sep-25 – Envirotec

Flowers that don't attract bees – 5 types to keep in mind when creating a haven for these beneficial insects

22-Sep-25 - Homes and Gardens

https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/flowers-that-dont-attract-bees

Experts issue warning over Asian hornets as sightings rise

18-Sep-25 – The Independent

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/asian-hornets-uk-sightings-rise-2025-b2829265.html

Stricter neonicotinoid guidance piles pressure on British farmers

11-Sep-25 – FarmingUK

http://farminguk.com/news/stricter-neonicotinoid-guidance-piles-pressure-on-british-farmers_67202.html

Honey bees can be used to monitor PFAS levels in the environment, says study

10-Sep-25 – Envirotec Magazine

Scientists and Conservationists Scramble to Protect Pollinators

08-Sep-25 – TrillMag

https://www.trillmag.com/news/climate/scientists-and-conservationists-scramble-to-protect-pollinators

Tracking technology taking on the yellow-legged hornet

01-Sep-25 – Apha Science
https://aphascience.blog.gov.uk/2025/09/01/tracking-technology-taking-on-the-yellow-legged-hornet/

Invasive Asian hornet spotted in North Yorkshire

30-Aug-25 – BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgpxz9lxxro

Warning after first Surrey sighting of dangerous Asian hornet this year

28-Aug-25 – Surrey Live

https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/warning-after-first-surrey-sighting-32365670

'Game-changing' Asian hornet tracker leads to nest

22-Aug-25 – BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg7j3vk4d41o.amp

A new 'superfood' could help declining honeybees – but here’s why it’s not enough

21-Aug-25 – Country Living

https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/a65860366/superfood-declining-honeybees-why-not-enough/

There's a wasp boom in the UK. Here's what's causing it

20-Aug-25 – BBC Countryfile

https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/insects-invertebrates/what-is-causing-the-wasp-boom

Wasps are ‘widely vilified’ but ‘essential’ this spring

20-Aug-25 – The Independent

https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/wasps-uk-useful-heatwave-climate-change-b2811008.html

Public in Northern Ireland urged to be vigilant after Asian hornet found in Co. Cork

19-Aug-25 – The Irish Post

https://www.irishpost.com/news/public-in-northern-ireland-urged-to-be-vigilant-after-asian-hornet-found-in-co-cork-296188

Bee species get lifeline through habitat project

16-Aug-25 – BBC News

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn43j1el9w3o

Tiny transmitters on Asian hornets a 'game-changer'

09-Aug-25 – BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy08xx2j500o

Asian hornet’s unique buzz may hold secret to containing invasive species

08-Aug-25 – The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/08/asian-hornets-unique-buzz-may-hold-secret-to-containing-invasive-species

France’s top court strikes down pesticide clause in farming law

07-Aug-25 – Value the Markets

https://www.valuethemarkets.com/news/frances-top-court-strikes-down-pesticide-clause-in-farming-law

Drivers of nocturnal and diurnal pollinating insect declines in urban landscapes

06-Aug-25 – The Royal Society

https://royalsociety.org/blog/2025/08/drivers-of-nocturnal-and-diurnal-pollinating-insect-declines-in-urban-landscapes/

Ministers urged to tackle surge in Asian hornets after rise in sightings

05-Aug-25 – The Independent

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/asian-hornets-species-uk-bees-sighting-b2802528.html

Radioactive wasp nest: Nest with radiation levels ten times what is allowed under regulations found at old US nuclear weapons site - have there been any in UK?

01-Aug-25 – National World
https://www.nationalworld.com/us/radioactive-wasp-nest-nest-found-at-old-us-nuclear-weapons-site-have-there-been-any-in-uk-5252362