What does your local Association do that you enjoy?

[Poly Hive]

My local Assoc has grown from a handful to now over 100 and we are at that point where we need some ideas in order to offer more to the membership than beginners classes, the odd demo and a Winter program.

We hold meetings on a Wednesday night which is a time I personally have reservations about so....

What do you enjoy that your assoc offers and conversely what is not so good and what time is best in your view for meetings?

PH

 

[For want of a better word]

Honey Lemon Drizzel Cake and cold Mead Pimms!
The best was the Redhill group
although it has been some summers since I was there.

 

[Millet]

Honey Lemon Drizzel Cake and cold Mead Pimms!
The best was the Redhill group
although it has been some summers since I was there.

In PH's location it would be haggis and a dram of Scotch.. ken..

 

[birdsandbees]

Erm.....

Hang on, I'll think of something....

They do have a monthly meeting at a local pub, the pub sells Beer so I guess that's a plus point, meetings start at 19:30 which is fine with me.

Negatives

Seem very cliquey with a fairly obvious inner circle, most meetings are poorly attended and very little conversation is actually on the subject of bees, which is a bit disappointing.

Ideas

Would be nice if they did bee safari tours or members Apiary visits.
Quiz evenings could be both fun and a great way of educating.
Would be good if they had a cooperative with regards buying in bulk, saving members money by pooling together orders.
Inviting guest speakers, even if just people talking about their experiences in beekeeping, everyone has a tale or two I'm sure.

 

[charlievictorbravo]

You could have a go at some advanced beekeeping projects in the summer - something like queen rearing, which a lot of beekeepers are nervous about starting on their own.

One of our best winter meetings was a visit by the Immunology Specialist from the local hospital talking about bee stings and different reactions to them. This session made everybody think about having a plan for anaphylactic shock resulting from a bee sting.

CVB

 

[madasafish]

We (North Staffordshire) have a series of talks : highlights included the inspectors who helped find Asian Hornets' nest in Tetbury, Ged Marshall on a year in the life of a commercial beekeeper, Derek Mitchell on hive insulation etc...
A raffle.
And tea and biscuits...
Wednesday nights 7.30pm, first Wed of month.
A joint meeting with South Cheshire each year...

Attendees:40-50 (membership 200)

 

[SteveG]

Some great ideas birdsandbees - thanks
our local association are asking the same questions.

more please,,,...

 

[Swarm]

We have people turn up with presentations, opinions or whatever, some good but unfortunately most are not. A monthly meeting just for a chat would be so much better.

 

[theeggman]

As our local assoc. does not have an apiary all of our summer meetings are at member's apiaries. They are well attended, you get to see different hive types and systems that other people use. The host provides teas coffee etc. and the guests bring the solid food to share with all after the hive inspections.

Winter meetings are in a village hall and are films, talks and quizs etc.

 

[alldigging]

We have a monthly bee chat night which is in a private club. We quite often have chip butties and there's as much beer as people want to drink behind the bar.
We try to have something to focus discussions on - last night's was the Asian hornet leaflet and a discussion on what we'd do if someone thought they had one. There's lots of time for people to chat about other stuff too - lots of bee stuff and other subjects too.
We also had our now constructed free flow hive super to look at.

We need to do a bit of work on swarm control, so next month we'll take the quarter scale hives and do some practice of pagden.

In summer we met last year at the allotment apiary and had quite a few well attended training sessions. Quite often we had cake, we always had tea.

 

[fatshark]

My present ones don't but previously the co-op purchasing scheme was outrageously good value ... they bought stuff in bulk, added 10% for the club and sold at a very significant price advantage.

Fondant by the pallet (or 3) worked out pretty cheap. Jars were a real bargain.

That, and the camaraderie, were the best bits.

 

[Eyeman]

The occasional good talk & summer apiary meetings. Otherwise the association is populated by lost souls that are looking for a home! Not anywhere to hang round.

 

[piggy]

My local association is great, as is my county association. It's the BBKA that's the problem, have you seen the new web site ? Why do I keep giving them my money?
If it was possible I would belong to my local and county association, and join the welsh beekeepers as they offer so much more.

 

[Erichalfbee]

My local association is great, as is my county association. It's the BBKA that's the problem, have you seen the new web site ? Why do I keep giving them my money?
If it was possible I would belong to my local and county association, and join the welsh beekeepers as they offer so much more.

It is possible.
I am a member of Welsh and Scottish and an associate member (which lets you avoid the BBKA bit) of an English one

 

[peterbees]

My local association is great, as is my county association. It's the BBKA that's the problem, have you seen the new web site ? Why do I keep giving them my money?
If it was possible I would belong to my local and county association, and join the welsh beekeepers as they offer so much more.

I'm sure the WBKA would welcome you!

 

[peterbees]

It is possible.
I am a member of Welsh and Scottish and an associate member (which lets you avoid the BBKA bit) of an English one

We always welcome you and Stan at the Conwy Honey Fair.

 

[piggy]

Thank you. I'm paid up for this year, will look into changing next year.

 

[B+.]

My local association isn't affiliated to the BBKA, so, annual membership is still only £10

We have beginners courses, 2 association apiaries, a programme of educational events during the winter, a bulk trading scheme for frames/foundation etc, library, a Christmas social......not bad for a tenner!

I'm bound to have forgotten something else though

 

[Hebeegeebee]

My local association is great, as is my county association. It's the BBKA that's the problem, have you seen the new web site ? .

Seems to be aimed at non-beekeepers trying to get them to hand over some money.

 

[Michael Palmer]

What do I enjoy in attending the beekeeper's meetings that I attend? I work bees 24/7 for much of the year. I haven't time to spend socializing and visiting friends. Wish I did. Bee meetings are the only time I have to see old friends and make new ones.