2025 saw a new recipient of the BAS president's award, inaugurated in 2023 to recognise exceptional contributions by individual members towards the public understanding of arachnology. The award - an original Richard Lewington painting - was presented to Lawrence Bee by BAS President Bill Parker when he stepped down from BAS Council after an incredible 35 years’ service. The voluntary roles he took on included Education Officer, Press & Publicity Officer, Vice President and President. In addition to his work on BAS Council, Lawrence made many contributions to wider public engagement with arachnology. For many years, he was one of the main tutors on Field Studies Council (FSC) spider courses and was also a backbone of the BAS presence at the Bird Fair and Kempton Park, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for spiders with visitors to our stands. He authored the FSC Guide to House and Garden Spiders in 2022 and, in 2017, was co-authored the WildGuide Britain's Spiders, along with Geoff Oxford and Helen Smith.