The Bedfordshire Beekeepers Association
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Charity No 294005
Last update of this site: 22nd August 2010
Latest alterations include:
Revisions of Beginners training course, Events pages, New pages for Honey Show Results (2009 Show) and 2010 Honey Show Rules. Re-Vamp of Members Area. Shefford Apiary Records updated
Address for anaphylactic shock advice - see STINGS page
For Help and advice about SWARMS, see the SWARM of BEES page
Bumble bees build small nests in gardens, compost heaps, bird boxes etc. They do not grow to large colonies and generally do not bother people. Towards the end of summer virgin queens are produced and the nest will die off. The queens hibernate over winter and start the whole process again next spring, not necessarily in the same nest location.
As bumble bees are a protected species beekeepers cannot disturb them. So if you can leave them to get on with their work over the summer they should not bother you. You will also be able to watch important pollinators go about their work.
Wasps are sometimes mistaken for bees. The way to tell the difference is that wasps have yellow legs and bees do not. If you have wasps you may need to contact a pest controller as they can become troublesome during summertime.
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Beds BKA Committee & Officers
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| Addresses and phone numbers are in your members' yearbook. |
QUICK LINKS TO CLICK |
| Secretary
Wally Thrale Beehive Corner 60 West Road Sandy Beds SG19 1HB
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1. SWARM OF BEES |
| Chairman
Paul Rubens 3 Cross End |
5. CONTACT US BY EMAIL 6. BEGINNERS' COURSES |
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Treasurer, Simon Cockle Assistant Secretary Show Secretary, David Smith Librarian, Ray Smith Yearbook Editor, Andrew Ulyett Publicity, Wally Thrale Stockwood Apiarist, Mike Niemann Shefford Apiarists, Sue and Danny Lang |
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District Advisors are named in their own section of the MEMBERS page titled
THE ELEVEN DIVISIONS
THE BEDFORDSHIRE BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION INFORMATION FOR 2010
The Bedfordshire Beekeepers Association is a registered charity which includes the majority of the county's beekeepers amongst its members. Some of the benefits of membership are:-
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Equipment at reduced prices.
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Lectures, training classes and demonstrations by experts.
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Advice and assistance for beginners including practical demonstrations in the Association's teaching apiaries.
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Regular newsletters with information on forthcoming events including lectures,
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open days and other social occasions.
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Use of the Association's library which holds books, journals, slides and other materials of interest to the beekeeper.
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An annual year book.
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Third party insurance.
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Optional insurance for members beekeeping equipment.
The Association has divided the county into 11 areas each of which has an appointed District Advisor, all of whom are willing to provide information on the Association and beekeeping generally.
Membership Details
The following is an extract from the Rules and Regulations of the Association:-
Membership shall be open to all beekeepers or persons interested in apiculture
living within or outside the County of Bedfordshire.
Members shall be divided into four classes; Full Members, Honorary Members, Junior Members and Associate Members.
Full Members shall be entitled to the following privileges and
benefits:- ·
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To attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting and at Extraordinary General Meetings ·
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To attend all meetings and events arranged by the Association for members ·
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To receive a copy of the Year Book of the Association ·
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To borrow books from the Association's library ·
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To take part in the trading schemes run by the Association ·
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To participate in the third party insurance cover as arranged by the Association to indemnify its members against sums that they may become legally liable to pay as compensation in respect of injury to any person or damage to property arising from a beekeeping accident
Honorary Membership is a gift of the Association to persons who have rendered
valuable and distinguished service to beekeeping.
Junior Membership is open to those under 18 years of age or to those completing full time education. Junior members are entitled to all the privileges of full membership.
Associate membership is open to former full members and spouses of full members who do not keep bees but wish to maintain a link with the activities of the Association. Associate members are entitled to the first four benefits set out above for full members.
Membership rates for 2010 Full £10 Associate £4 Junior £3
If you wish to join the Association you should send to
Fiona Cook, Membership Secretary,
14 Potton Road,
The Heath,
Gamlingay,
Sandy,
Beds.SG19 2JH
e-mail peter.cook@hotmail.co.uk (please note this corrected address)
for further details and an application form
or you could print your own form (see menu, right)