CONGRATULATIONS to the Swarm Team and all its members. The Award was presented at a ceremony in the Reigate & Banstead Borough Council Chambers on the 20th July 2026 by the Mayor of Reigate and Banstead, Councillor Nick Harrison; and was received on behalf of the full Team (recent past and present) by Colin Clement (Swarm Team Coordinator), Diane Mansfield and Gerry James.

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The full citation reads:

Throughout the honey bee swarm season, from April to July, the volunteer members of the Reigate Beekeepers Association’s Swarm Team provide an emergency service greatly valued by the public, schools and businesses across Reigate & Banstead and some neighbouring districts.
With their contact details and locations published on the Association and British Beekeeping Association websites, team members typically respond directly to between 100 and 160 reports each year of swarms clustering in trees, shrubs and buildings. They assess whether swarms can be safely captured and coordinate via the team’s WhatsApp group to ensure the nearest available responder attends quickly. Captured swarms are rehomed with local beekeepers wishing to replace winter losses or expand their colony numbers. Donations are frequently received from grateful residents and businesses, helping support the Association’s work.

The team also plays an important educational role, explaining to householders why honey bees swarm and what happens if swarms are left unmanaged. Uncaptured swarms may move into roofs, chimneys and wall cavities, where removal can become difficult, costly and damaging both to buildings and bee colonies.
Providing this service demands significant time and commitment beyond members’ own beekeeping commitments. The professionalism, friendliness and public spirit consistently shown by the Swarm Team make their contribution truly exceptional and highly deserving of recognition through this award.

The nomination of the Swarm Team for the award included reference to the Team’s many members during the past 5 years …

Damian Belson, Andrew Boagey, Richard Bradfield, Colin Clement, Robert Dunn, Graham Fyson, Vince Gallo, Gerry James, Trevor Keast, Stevan Kelsay, Mike Lowe, Keith Mackie, Diane Mansfield, Chris Peers, Geoff Pye, Andy Robinson, Kevin Selfe.  

Included in the citation is this reference to a founding team member, now sadly missed …

Sadly, one of the Swarm Team members, Richard Woodhouse, passed away in June. Richard was a previous Team Coordinator and was a long serving member of the Swarm Team.

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Read more about our Swarm Collection Service.