Factsheet for 2008
OXFORDSHIRE BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
Registered Charity No. 1005846
Edelweiss, Burford Road, Brize Norton, Oxford, OX18 3NY The Grange, 31 Acre End Street, Eynsham, Oxon, OX29 4PF 23 Conduit Hill Rise, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2EJ 59 Merewood Avenue, Headington, Oxford, OX3 8EG
Honorary President:
David Cameron, MP
Association Officers
Chairman:
Ian James
(01993 841897)
Secretary:
Sally Moyes
(01865 880288) (sallymoyes@uwclub.net)
Treasurer:
Peter Randall
(01844 215658)
Membership Secretary:
Chris Richmond
(01865 765265) (cgrichmond@hotmail.co.uk)
Subscription Rates:
The 2008 annual subscription rate is £38 for ordinary membership, but for those who wish to waive their monthly copy of BeeCraft (see below), the rate is £19. Also, those who belong to another BBKA-affiliated Association, which pays a BBKA capitation fee for them, may opt for “associate” status, whereby they have the normal rights of non-BeeCraft members, but no BBKA capitation is paid for them by OBKA. The annual associate subscription is currently £7. The subscription rate is open to annual review. New subscriptions paid after the end of September cover membership until the end of December of the following year, and will be at the following year’s rate. Note that the OBKA Constitution provides that members who have not renewed their subscriptions by 25th February will be deemed to have relinquished membership by default, and will therefore not be protected by the insurance cover enjoyed by members (see below).
Charity Status:
OBKA was registered as a Charity on 14th November 1991. This means that the Association can reclaim income tax at the basic rate from the Inland Revenue on most members’ subscriptions. The membership application and renewal forms include gift aid declarations to enable tax recovery where possible.
Facilities available to Members:
Meetings
Field meetings are held during the summer months, and include regular apiary demonstrations. Other events include an autumn/winter function, and lectures during the winter. An OBKA Honey Show is held in November and the Annual General Meeting in March.
Notices and Publications
An annual programme card is published giving details of all lectures, demonstrations, meetings and other events organized by the Association. A monthly Newsletter is also distributed, which contains full details of forthcoming events, and also topical stories, notices and information, and advertisements for the sale or purchase of bees and equipment (editor: Phil Spillane, 01865 396383 phil@pressexpress.freeserve.co.uk).
Members receive
by post: The monthly Newsletter
BeeCraft – a monthly journal (optional: see above)
BBKA News – a newsletter appearing six times per year.
British Beekeepers Association
Members benefit by indirect membership of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), and also of the National Honey Show. Details are published in the BBKA News
Insurance
(a) The annual subscription includes cover under the Bee Diseases Insurance (BDI) Scheme A against loss from foul brood disease under the Bee Diseases Control Order 1982 to three hives; additional hives must be covered for a small extra premium. Beekeepers with 40 or more colonies have to insure under a separate scheme (Scheme B), and should contact Sharon Blake (BDI) on 01460 242124.
(b) OBKA members as indirect members of the BBKA have automatic cover from the insurance policies arranged by the BBKA. These are:
· Public Liability: cover is up to a limit of £5 million for any one incident against action arising from members’ beekeeping activities. There is an excess of £250 for any claims that relate to property.
· Product Liability: members are covered to a limit of £5 million in any one year and any one incident. This covers claims arising from the provision of beekeeping products.
· All Risks Insurance: for a modest additional premium members may also participate in a preferential arrangement made between the BBKA and NFU Mutual that provides an all-risks insurance for beekeeping property. Rates vary between 1% and 2% depending on the situation and the items. The individual member must negotiate details of the policy with NFU Mutual. Phone 0845 704 5031.
Spray Warning
Members may participate in a county spray-warning scheme. Details are published annually in the Newsletter. The current OBKA Spray Warning Liaison Officer is Harry Jessup (01491 682645).
Bee Health
(a) Fumidil B for nosema control and Bayvarol, Apistan, and Apiguard for varroa control may often be purchased at an economic price through advertisements in BeeCraft or BBKA News.
(b) Any beekeeper suspecting foul brood in his/her hives should contact the Southern Regional Bee Inspector of the CSL National Bee Unit, Ian Homer (01308 482161), or the Seasonal Bee Inspector, Margaret Holland (01327 857328: 22 Graham Hill, Silverstone, Northants, NN12 8UQ).
(c) Advice on Bee Health may also be obtained from (and notification of varroa detection should be sent to) the CSL National Bee Unit, Sand Hutton, York, YO4 1LZ (telephone 01904 462000; fax 01904 462111) The NBU maintains a free hive sample examination service for varroa detection.
Teaching Apiary
The Association has a teaching apiary at the Marlborough School in Woodstock, which now boasts a custom-made workshed, fully equipped to meet the needs of beginner beekeepers including study for the BBKA Basic Examination. Within the apiary stands a Bee-bole, which serves to remind newcomers to beekeeping that it is an ancient craft on which they are embarking. The Bee-bole also highlights the development of bee management techniques (from skeps to the modern hive) as well as pointing out the value of changing comb regularly.
Regular beginners’ courses are held at the teaching apiary, and members of OBKA are on hand not only to induct newcomers into the craft, but to give advice and talks from time to time to interested groups. For further information contact Sally Moyes (01865 880288).Adjacent to the teaching apiary is the bee garden, an area still under development that will ultimately display the main species of plants that all types of nectar-seeking insects (including bees) favour. This extension to the apiary is meant to provide not only an educational resource, but also an area where staff, students, members and visitors can relax and enjoy the moment.
Library Facilities and Equipment on Loan
*The Association has an expanding Library of books, videos and posters; available from the Library at the teaching apiary and at other times by arrangement. Contact the Hon. Secretary, Sally Moyes (01865 880288
*An OBKA dissecting microscope is held at the Marlborough School apiary in the care of the Hon Secretary, to whom enquiries should be addressed (01865 880288).
*The Association has a manual honey extractor and a steam wax extractor, which are available for hire to members at a nominal charge (£2 per day). They are in the keeping of Robert Hayday (01844 339411). Guidance notes on its use come with the wax extractor.
Stocks, Swarms and Secondhand Equipment
The Association provides assistance in the purchase or disposal of unwanted stocks and swarms; details are published in the Spring. The Swarms Officer is Clifford McLean (01993 774895). Details of secondhand equipment for sale are published in the Newsletter.
New Beekeeping Equipment – Local Agent
John Harris – a member of OBKA – is a main agent for E H Thorne, and can supply most beekeeping equipment. Contact John at 95 Buckingham Road, Bicester, OX26 3ES (01869 252098)August 2007