|
Membership Information
Membership of the
Mid Bucks Beekeepers Association is open to all who have an interest in
bees and beekeeping. We provide a varied programme of winter meetings,
practical help with beekeeping & advice on many beekeeping matters
including the supply of bees and equipment to those planning to take up
beekeeping. Partners & family of all member grades are welcome to
attend local Association events. Annual subscriptions are due on 1st.
November.
Full Membership: £27.00
For members keeping bees. Includes BBKA membership with bi-monthly
magazine, Public & Product Liability Insurance & Theft
Insurance for members’ hives.
Family Membership: £37.00
As for Full Membership, but includes additional ‘partner’ membership of
the BBKA (no additional magazine) with full insurance cover for a
partner or family member at the same address also keeping bees,
collecting swarms etc.
Associate Membership:
£12.00
For those with an interest in the craft of beekeeping and Association
activities, but not currently keeping bees. Also for beekeepers who are
Full Members of another association. To upgrade to Full/Family membership please download and complete
the
Upgrade
Form
To
Renew or Join?
Please download and complete the
Membership Form
BBKA
Affiliation
The Association is affiliated to the British Beekeepers Association
(BBKA). All Full Members and Family Members automatically become
members of the BBKA The benefits of this include public liability and
third-party insurance, receipt of the bi-monthly BBKA News, access to
members-only events and training courses run by the BBKA.
BBKA membership is compulsory for all members who keep bees and do not
have BBKA membership under the auspices of another association.
Charity Status
The Association is a registered charity. Charity Number: 1097156.
Registered Charity No. 1097156 Website: www.mbbka.org.uk
Facilities Available to Members
Association Apiary
The Association maintains an apiary off the A413 Aylesbury to
Wendover Road at Stoke Mandeville, on the site of the old Hampden
Hall Agricultural College.
The apiary is used for training new beekeepers, giving demonstrations
of beekeeping techniques, producing nuclei for new beekeepers and
providing a refuge where members can leave temporarily a difficult
colony. Any surplus honey is sold to augment Association funds.
Winter Meetings
A programme of meetings is held on the third Wednesday of each month
between September and April. These include talks on beekeeping and
bee-related topics and social events. They are held at the Wendover and
Chiltern Hill Bowls Club, Dobbins Lane, Wendover.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Association is held in October.
Publications
A monthly Chairman’s letter is distributed to all members by email or
post giving details of forthcoming events and articles of interest to
beekeepers.
Mid Bucks Beekeepers Honey Show
The Association Honey Show is held annually in October at the time of
the AGM. Competitions are held in various of classes of honey and other
products associated with bees. Entry is free and there are cups and
other awards to be won. The honey judge gives a commentary and advice
on the quality of the exhibits.
Insurance
Full Members and Family Members are covered for:
Third Party Public Liability and Products Liability through the BBKA
policy to the value of £5 million. Fire damage and theft of bees
(max value of one colony £40) and hives (max value of any one
colony £100). Subject to a £25 excess.
Associate Members do not have insurance cover. New beekeepers who
obtain bees during the year must upgrade their membership in order to
obtain the insurance benefits.
Education
The Association aims to provide basic training for new beekeepers and
help existing beekeepers improve their skills.
Every year during March and April a course is held at the Bowls Club
for new beekeepers or anyone interested in the learning about the craft
of beekeeping.
Training for the BBKA Basic Assessment is provided for those who have
kept bees for more than one year and advice is available for more
experienced beekeepers wishing to take advanced examinations.
Members also undertake visits to schools, summer exhibitions and talks
to interested groups.
Library Facilities
The Association has a comprehensive library of books pamphlets and
videos which are available for loan at the winter meetings. View
Catalogue
Association Web Site
The Association Web Site at www.mbbka.org.uk provides detailed
information about the Association activities, advice on bee health and
links to local and national bodies.
Equipment on Loan
The Association has a motorised honey extractor which is available for
hire to members for £5 a time. Also available for hire at the
same rate is a nucleus box. The Association frame boiler and steam wax
extractor may be borrowed free of charge. These are in the keeping of
the Apiary manager, to whom enquiries should be addressed.
Stocks, Swarms and Secondhand Equipment
The Association provides assistance in purchasing or disposal of
unwanted stocks and swarms. Details can be obtained from the Swarm
Officer and are published in the Newsletter. Secondhand equipment for
sale is also advertised from time to time.
|
