Has the bubble burst?

[enrico]

Chin up folks .....I have been doing it for years. I love it.....I will give nucs if I have them available for cost only.....I love talking bees, I just want people to enjoy it as much as I do.
It makes me sad to hear that some of you are thinking if giving up. Please don't, and keep smiling. It is the big boys that are finding it tough, the ones who need to make a profit, the rest of us ....... We can survive this, hot summers will be back....big wheel and all that.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I think it apposite to mention that a great many people are (and have been for some time) deeply discontent with the BBKA's "attitude", and their blatantly ignoring many members' wishes

Can anyone hear a drum banging?

 

[beeboybee]

Give it a rest Jenkins, you constant belittling of brossville is appalling....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Shabro]

I have no intention of giving up the bees, but association membership - that's a different story.
As a relative newbie, I get frustrated with the stuffiness of the association and the only real benefit is the insurance...... or is it? I seem to remember if you go even one colony over your allotment, that it makes it null and void. How am I to know how many swarms I will take in?
You go to the association meeting and it's all just moans and groans. It wouldn't be so bad if it was constructive.
I originally joined to learn , but I have learnt far more on here and from discussions with other beekeepers.

 

[susbees]

I have no intention of giving up the bees, but association membership - that's a different story.
As a relative newbie, I get frustrated with the stuffiness of the association and the only real benefit is the insurance...... or is it? I seem to remember if you go even one colony over your allotment, that it makes it null and void. How am I to know how many swarms I will take in?
You go to the association meeting and it's all just moans and groans. It wouldn't be so bad if it was constructive.
I originally joined to learn , but I have learnt far more on here and from discussions with other beekeepers.

Your Public Liability insurance stays in place. Your BDI would be invalid (and is pretty worthless in any case). We have really helpful meetings too

 

[madasafish]

Yes ... I do ... and I agree ... but a lot of people are put off by the need for some degree of accuracy in cutting. It's easy when you know how ... perhaps associations should be running basic hivemaking courses in the winter as well as beekeeping courses ...

Hmm ......accuracy and TBHs are not synonymous - as far as my building is concerned..

 

[isc26]

Like with allotments there is the fad aspect; Lots of press and TV, lots come on board, then realise things are not so easy and instant, and then give up.

Interestingly and possibly linked for the first time in at least 10 years there are vacant plots on the allotment site I use. Weather/Time/Cost have all taken their toll recently.

 

[Skyhook]

Bubbles burst. It seems to be a rule of nature that most trends are cyclical, not linear. It would be surprising if all the people caught up in the recent tide of enthusiasm over the last few years, were to continue beekeeping for life.

 

[oliver90owner]

This thread made me wonder if 'beesrob' was still active. His videos were still on u-toob last time I wanted a larf.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I remember him
He had a Beehaus

 

[alanf]

... I get frustrated with the stuffiness of the association and the only real benefit is the insurance...... or is it? I seem to remember if you go even one colony over your allotment, that it makes it null and void. How am I to know how many swarms I will take?

It's a good point. Is a decline in membership really a decline in the number of beekeepers or just established beekeepers cutting the expense of membership?

Local associations vary, as threads show. Many have improved in recent years and they are always worth a try for beginners as a source of some local contacts and knowledge. Any membership organisation has churn, but from what I hear only 10-15 years ago several bee associations needed beekeepers more than beekeepers needed associations. It's not like local drama or other activities that need an organisation to work at all.

Increasing activity, glossy magazines, campaigning, chasing direct sales and sponsorship etc is one way that organisations try to increase relevance. The danger is that the activity becomes an end in itself and many members see it as increasingly irrelevant. The BBKA could be going that way, and arguments for increasing fees based on postage costs (that were not taken on before) or fee comparison with organisations (with totally different needs) look more like self justification than legitimately serving membership. Less is more perhaps.

On the insurance issue, it should be clear that the disease insurance through BDI is through a separate organisation to BBKA. It has to be for insurance legislation reasons. But that division is not obvious when BDI business is reported through the BBKA newsletter, an anomoly since an increasing number of local associations are dropping BDI membership as poor value and too inflexible for their needs.

 

[lilybetbee]

As a newbie last season it was a difficult start, a number of us from the beginners' course last year bought nucs which swarmed within about 3-6 weeks and were then left with queen's that didn't mate due to the weather.
With nucs at £120+ that is a big outlay to start.
As I have a second strong colony I'm hoping to get back to 2 hives and keep going, but if I lose these it's about another £250 for bees I would need to lay out to be in a viable situation.
Personally I couldn't make kit; I have never done any woodwork in my life and would have to spend so many hours learning that it would be cheaper to buy it.

 

[Cazza]

I have no intention of giving up the bees, but association membership - that's a different story.
As a relative newbie, I get frustrated with the stuffiness of the association and the only real benefit is the insurance...... or is it? I seem to remember if you go even one colony over your allotment, that it makes it null and void. How am I to know how many swarms I will take in?
You go to the association meeting and it's all just moans and groans. It wouldn't be so bad if it was constructive.
I originally joined to learn , but I have learnt far more on here and from discussions with other beekeepers.

If you don't like your association, why not start an independent one? You don't have to affiliate to the BBKA. I joined a bee support group locally, it's excellent, no ego's, no moaning.

I have thought recently about life without bees but it's still too much fun to give up. I have however downsized.
Cazza

 

[Cazza]

Everyone can make there own kit if they put their mind and some dedication into it.

Hah, hah, hah. Hollow laugh. You clearly haven't met me...all the DIY skills of a slug.
Cazza

 

[alldigging]

Hah, hah, hah. Hollow laugh. You clearly haven't met me...all the DIY skills of a slug.
Cazza

My OH has made a jig to ensure the frames I make are square.
He's into woodwork though so made me a nuc box for fun

 

[Davelin]

On a positive note at the county show on Bank Holiday Monday our stand was overrun with people enquiring about taking up beekeeping. Amazing what a bit of exposure in the news can do.

 

[VEG]

My association has decided to run 2 beginners courses due to demand. No slowing in my area.

 

[enrico]

If you don't like your association, why not start an independent one? You don't have to affiliate to the BBKA. I joined a bee support group locally, it's excellent, no ego's, no moaning.

I have thought recently about life without bees but it's still too much fun to give up. I have however downsized.
Cazza

We do a similar thing here, quarterly meeting down the pub with anyone who wants to come, we sit around a table and talk bees all night. No lectures, no cost other than a drink, we sort out each others problems. Ok insurance is not something we have but I feel sure we would all give a little of what we have to get someone in the group going again including bees. We are just in it for the buzz

 

[VEG]

Enrico

I think that is how most associations started. But then some bright spark had the idea of a committee.

 

[enrico]

Enrico

I think that is how most associations started. But then some bright spark had the idea of a committee.

I suppose you are right, must make a note not to suggest we have a committee!
E