¦ Combings ¦ Queens & Nuclei ¦ Insurance ¦ BBKA ¦ Bulk Buying ¦ Notice Board ¦ Subscription Fees ¦ Library List ¦
Benefits of joining the NSBKA
Membership of the NSBKA is open to anyone keeping bees or having an interest in the craft of beekeeping. Joining is easy, you can get in touch with our secretary Janet Hayward by e-mail or by telephone 01538 361048 for more details. You can simply come along to the next NSBKA meeting and introduce yourself or you can contact any one of our members on the contact us section of the site. Everyone is welcome to join the NSBKA which offers a range of member benefits some of which are outlined below.
Education and Training
As a member you will be able to attend the weekly meetings at our apiary from April to October during which the seasonal beekeeping skills are demonstrated and explained. These are very much hands on sessions which include:
- understanding colony and hive structure,
- practical handling and colony inspection techniques,
- recognising and understanding bee behaviour,
- disease recognition, treatment and management,
- bee husbandry and colony management,
- queen identification, marking, introduction and rearing,
- swarm condition recognition and control methods,
- methods to increase your stock,
- uniting colonies,
- feeding methods including knowing what to feed, how much and when.
- advice on setting up and running an apiary,
These sessions also give the opportunity for beginners to become familiar with beekeeping terminology and to use a wide range of beekeeping tools and equipment.
We can also provide practical and theoretical preparation for those members who wish to undertake any of the various BBKA exam programmes. Attendance at the Association meetings also provides you with the opportunity to hear experienced and interesting speakers delivering a range of presentations about bee related topics and techniques. You will also have access to our library which contains an excellent range of text books covering the many aspects of beekeeping.
Combings
Combings is the NSBKA journal published quarterly and contains beekeeping related information and articles written and provided by Association members. Combings provides another useful source of up to date information on all aspects of beekeeping in North Staffordshire including seasonal management tips, updates on regulations, bee disease treatments and general Association news and business.
Queens and Nuclei
The NSBKA undertakes a regular queen rearing programme raising good quality queens and mini-nuclei some of which are made available for sale to members. This year (2006) some of our queens were replaced with a strain of the dark Irish Galtee bee which have a reputation for having a good temperament and being very productive. A programme to rear new queens from both this and our existing queen stock is planned for 2007.
Public Liability Insurance
Members are covered in any one year and any one incident against accidents arising from their beekeeping activities under the Associations public liability insurance policy.
Reduced BBKA Subscriptions
As a member of the NSBKA members are entilted to a reduced affiliated membership subscription to the British Beekeepers Association membership of which also provides further options to increase insurance cover for both hives and products.
Bulk buying - Power In Numbers
Members can also benefit from discounts by bulk ordering particular equipment items (from certain suppliers) by joining together to place a large order e.g. jars and lids.
Notice Board - New for 2007!
A new addition to our site is the notice board. It is intended to act and operate as an inital contact point for all NSBKA members, both beginners and those who are well established, to let each other know what equipment or stores they have or may require in the forthcoming months. This is an ideal forum to notify each other of what used or new beekeeping equipment might be available amongst the members and their many contacts within the beekeeping community. The main intention of the notice board is to assist all members, particularly those new to the craft who are in the the process of setting up their own apiary, by providing a first point of contact for all their upcoming beekeeping requirements. More information on how to use the board is available at the notice board.
Subscription Fees - 2007
- Standard annual membership fee £22 (with an introductory discount of 50% for new members)
Library Book List
Is being updated and will be published soon.
© North Staffordshire Beekeepers Association.
