Welcome to the Fleet Beekeepers Association

Interested in becoming a Beekeeper?

Bees and other pollinating insects are a vital part of the natural World and over millions of years have evolved with flowering plants and trees to become dependant upon each other. Honey bees are social animals that live in hives containing 80,000 individuals or more, all governed by a single Queen. As beekeepers, we provide colonies of bees with a home in the form of a hive and by our actions ensure that the colony remains healthy and productive.

If we have done our job correctly, we are normally rewarded with a harvest of up to a 100lbs (50kgs) or more of honey from each hive once or sometimes twice a year. Other harvests include beeswax used for centuries to make candles, polish and cosmetics as well as propolis, a highly antiseptic substance produced by the bees from plant resins. Beekeeping is a fascinating and challenging hobby that is very rewarding in many ways - Its even said that bees endow beekeepers with a long life...

Our membership stretches across North East Hampshire centred around Fleet and including towns such as Farnborough, Aldershot, Hook, Hartley Wintney, Odiham and Church Crookham as well as surrounding villages. We are a rapidly growing and friendly group of beekeepers,welcoming newcomers of all ages. All members are hobbyists, each with no more than a few stocks of bees and visitors are always made welcome.

If you would like to talk to someone about joining our association, please contact:

Geoff Galliver - Secretary Fleet Beekeepers

Email

The Fleet & District Beekeepers Association is a branch of the Hampshire Beekeepers Association (HBA) which in turn is affiliated to the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA).

Education and Training
Throughout the Spring, Summer and Autumn we hold local apiary meetings at which practical beekeeping skills are demonstrated and discussed. Beginners and novice beekeepers are encouraged to prepare for and take the British Beekeepers Association Basic Assessment (download the syllabus here). We also hold regular meetings and discussions throughout the rest of the year, usually at the Memorial Hall in Crookham Village where we usually have a speaker on a subject linked to beekeeping plus a social gathering over coffee and biscuits.

Each year we run a "Beekeeping for Beeginners" course which starts with a series of weekly theory sessions in February and March before moving onto a series of practical sessions that run throughout the rest of the year. There are more details here.

Newsletter
We distribute our own newsletter on a regular basis to all members via email with local information on the associations activities and members articles on all aspects of beekeeping.

"BeeTalk"
Members of Fleet BBKA also receive a copy of the Hampshire BeeTalk magazine in either electronic or printed format through the post. It provides information from other associations throughout Hampshire, matters of interest to beekeepers generally (including seasonal management tips, updates on disease treatment, new official regulations, national/regional and branch activities and book reviews). Local and national beekeeping equipment and suppliers support the magazine with regular advertisements.

Fleet BKA Shop
We are unusual in that as an Association, we have our own shop that stocks all the supplies that a beekeeper is likely to need throughout the year at greatly reduced prices. The shop has been in existence for over 50 years and is run on a non-profit basis with any surplus going back into the Association for the benefit of all members. The shop is run by our President Tony Holbeche and is open every Friday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm from 9th of April (except 2nd July) until 24th September. There is a map of the shops location inside the members area.

Membership Costs
At the recent AGM, the following Membership Fees for 2012 were agreed:

Single: £25.00 Married/Couple: £30.00

This represents extremely good value and includes both Public & Product liability insurance, each to £5M as well as Bee Disease Insurance (BDI) for up to three hives.

Other Services
General beekeeping advice is available from the Secretary who, if he does not know the answer himself, ‘knows someone that does’. We have many local ‘experts’ who are very pleased to help newcomers to the craft and provide advice with colony management problems.

Bees and the Community (including schools)
A number of members act as speakers for other local interest groups, particularly those concerned with the environment, gardening and horticulture, and the retired. We take a particular interest in regularly visiting local schools and educating children about bees and their impact on the environment.

Representation
Registered Members shall have the right to vote at AGMs and Extra-ordinary General Meetings (EGM). By virtue of a capitation fee paid annually on their behalf, they will be Registered Members of the British Beekeepers Association and can also take advantage of the liability and product insurance provided for all members.