Reasons to become a member.
HUDDERSFIELD & DISTRICT BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP
Reasons to be Cheerful -
1.Automatic membership of BBKA
What this gives you:
Insurance on Public and Property Liability for the BEEKEEPER. So if your honey is contaminated or you go to collect a swarm from someone else’s property and cause damage for which the consumer or householder claims from you, you, as the beekeeper, may be able to claim on the BBKA insurance. However, BBKA request that you do not admit liability until you have spoken with the BBKA office and, of course, you are expected to have operated with due regard for health & safety.
(Remember that if a partner helps you they are NOT covered unless they are also registered as BEEKEEPERS with the BBKA – ‘family members’ are not covered, but the new designation of ‘Partner Member’ at a discounted rate will be. Also, activities such as dealing with a wasp or bumble bee nest are NOT covered.)
Access to BBKA knowledge, latest legislation, best practise and current advice on pests & diseases from the website and also through the newsletter delivered to your door.
Access to Bee Inspectors for disease recognition, advice and treatment.
BBKA lobbying of government and EC for the benefit of all beekeepers.
BBKA Membership card which can be flashed for a discount for entry to BBKA functions (Spring Convention etc.) and from various suppliers.
Opportunity to take Beekeeping examinations.
2.Automatic membership of YBKA
What this gives you:
Discounts on equipment and supplies.
Countywide opportunities to meet other beekeepers at County events for lectures, talks and demonstrations and to discuss the practicalities of beekeeping.
Information on auctions, equipment sales, beginners and advanced beekeeping courses.
Information and anecdotes from the YBKA newsletter on line and (occasionally) in hard copy.
3.Bee Disease Insurance (BDI)
Part of your HDBKA subscription goes toward the insurance of up to 3 hives for American Foul Brood disease. Additional hives, or the anticipation of additional hives (spring swarms etc.) require extra payment. If you have more colonies than you are insured for, the whole of the BDI insurance is null and void. So what?...you may ask.... so if your colonies contract this disease they have to be DESTROYED and that includes the boxes, frames etc. by the state Bee Inspector.
4.Support from your fellow HDBKA members
Sharing of knowledge, experiences; beginner’s mentoring; 2nd hand equipment; extraction equipment to borrow; sugar syrup; spare swarms; an additional pair of hands; winter meetings for information, discussion and tea & biscuits; summer apiary meetings for hive inspections, discussions, spare queens and tea & sandwiches and cakes and biscuits; companions to Yorkshire and BBKA events; get- well cards; walks; laughs and friendship.
We are always happy for new members to come and join us. If your interested in becoming a bee keeper, or perhaps just interested in bees then why not come along and see what we are about?
To find out more about joining us, or becoming a bee keeper then please contact us (see contacts page)