Our Story

The inspiration for our story began over 400 years ago, when Charles Butler recorded his observations to illustrate how the environment and surroundings influenced his honey bees and the production of honey and beeswax, when pastor at Wootton St Lawrence, Basingstoke (1600 to 1647).

Read more about Charles Butler, the Father of English Beekeepers →

The Charles Butler stained glass window, two panels with Latin inscriptions and scenes from his life, with a crocheted bee on the windowsill
Fig. 1.The Charles Butler window, dedicated in November 1954.

From a window to a Foundation

  1. 1954

    In November 1954 a stained glass window was designed and dedicated to Charles Butler, now acknowledged as The Father of English Beekeepers, in his church, to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953.

  2. 2019

    A volunteer green group, “Love Oakley GoGreen”, was formed with the positive intention of introducing standalone environmental events and outreach to the communities, in collaboration with Oakley Parish Council.

  3. 2020

    A small, enthusiastic team led by Ken Robson, with lots of encouragement from Revd Ben Kautzer, the rector of Oakley with Wootton, set about hosting the Charles Butler Bee Fayre at his home in Wootton St Lawrence.

  4. 2022

    In August 2022, a month after the government allowed the first relaxation of Covid guidelines for outdoor events, the Charles Butler Bee Fayre celebrations took place at Wootton St Lawrence church and meadows. These celebrations built on his legacy to tell the whole bee story to our communities. It was a great success, and set the scene for the special 400th anniversary celebrations in 2023.

  5. 2023

    In August 2023 a wonderful buzz took place in Wootton St Lawrence church and meadows to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the publication of Charles Butler’s The Feminine Monarchie. Presentations about the bee story were given inside the church, and the story continued outside in the church meadows with specialists, beekeepers and stallholders, engaging the children, families and adults who attended.

    Stile Antico gave a world-class performance of Charles Butler’s Bee Madrigal, the Archbishop of Canterbury, himself a beekeeper, delivered a video address, and a follow-up news feature was commissioned and aired by BBC South Today.

    [video: the BBC South Today feature, to be uploaded]

    The Charles Butler 400 Foundation was introduced at these Bee Fayre celebrations, as our way to continue to educate and inspire new generations, and to help them understand the need to create a sustainable environment where bees and all pollinators can thrive.

Cover of Parson Musicologist Beekeeper, with a hexagonal pattern and images of a bee, sheet music, a bee skep and historical figures

Parson, Musicologist, Beekeeper

The anniversary coincided with the launch of Parson Musicologist Beekeeper: Legacy and Influence of Charles Butler (1571 to 1647), a compilation by 13 authors recounting the life and times, social history and legacy that shape the Charles Butler story and its significance today.

The Charles Butler 400 Foundation today

  • We care about the environment, and the need to provide education and a practical understanding of the importance of all bees and pollinators.
  • We want to help young people see and appreciate the importance of a sustainable environment that will enable all bees to thrive in the natural world.
  • We want to inspire them to tell their story, which will encourage a new generation of environmental activists and beekeepers to sustain our natural world.
Find out more about what we do