Membership

The Vale and Downland Bee Keepers’ Association is a registered charity, number 1015801. Its objectives are to improve the practice and science of apiculture for the public benefit. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in taking up beekeeping or who is already an established beekeeper.

We offer the following membership categories:

Family including children receiving full time education (includes BBKA Registered membership) – for any family who already keep bees and wish to partake in all aspects of the association.

Ordinary member (includes BBKA Registered membership) – for those who already keep bees and wish to partake in all aspects of the association.

Partner member – an optional extra for partners at the same address of a Family member who are involved in beekeeping. Partner members enjoy all the rights of full membership, but will not receive the BBKA News or Association newsletter.

Ordinary member without bees (including BBKA Country membership) – for anyone interested in taking up beekeeping or for those who simply wish to support the association. Ordinary member without bees will not be registered as beekeepers with the BBKA and will not be covered by insurance or receive BBKA News.

Benefits for the established beekeeper:

• Insurance ~ Public liability for all members. Special bee disease insurance is also available.
• Equipment Purchase ~ Equipment may be purchased from a local supplier.
• Equipment Hire ~ Extractor, pollen trap, wax extractor. Microscopes available by appointment.
• Library ~ Comprehensive library about all aspects of beekeeping including slides and videos
• Marketing ~ Members’ bee products may be sold at craft exhibitions and other shows
• Spray Warnings ~ Central system using BeeConnected for disseminating crop spray warnings
• BBKA ~ The national association encourages best practices in beekeeping, promotes research on bees and extends support to beekeepers.
• Bee health ~ The National Bee Unit (part of the Central Science Laboratory, part of DEFRA) maintains the bee health inspectorate and the BeeBase database.   Our Regional Bee Inspector is Nigel Semmence (phone 01234-338694) and our seasonal Bee Inspector is Phil Spelane (phone 01865-396383).

Benefits for the new beekeeper:

• Setting up ~ Help with setting up a new apiary
• Handling bees ~ Bees can be handled at summer meetings. There are also special beginners meetings in the spring.
• Assistance ~ Experienced members of the Association are always willing to help new beekeepers

Meetings:

May to September ~ Monthly on a Sunday afternoon, at members’ apiaries with talks and demonstrations

October to April ~ Monthly at 7:30 pm on a Friday. Visiting lecturers and demonstrations or social events.

Current members will receive their renewal via email.

New & prospective members – please contact the membership secretary using on our online form at CONTACT US or contact our Membership secretary by email