Local Honey Derby

Jaba the Bearded Beekeeper is run by Szymon Jablonski, a proud third-generation beekeeper with over 25 years of experience. His family's beekeeping heritage dates back to the Second World War, with a 90+ hive apiary in Poland producing over 6,500 pounds of honey per season. After emigrating to the UK in 2009, Szymon resumed beekeeping and joined the British Beekeepers Association along with three regional beekeeping associations to further develop his skills. He has since expanded to three independent apiaries totalling 60+ beehives across Derbyshire. The apiaries are located at Grangewood near Burton on Trent (a forest apiary), Toyota Manufacturing near the A38 junction, and Morley Hayes golf course near Derby. Szymon specialises in natural raw honey, bee bread, propolis, beeswax candles, as well as UK-bred queens and nucleus colonies — none of which are imported. All colonies are inspected for quality and health in compliance with APHA/Defra guidelines. He also offers beehive rental and management services across Derbyshire. Szymon is in the process of registering with the Bee Farmers Association to expand his operations further and has plans to help establish community apiaries across Derbyshire.