Membership

Benefits of membership

We are currently moving to a new membership system. To enquire about joining the association, please email our secretary: Carol Williamson wsbka@yahoo.co.uk or use the ‘Contact Us’ web form.

As beekeeping can be a solitary activity, being an association member enables you to keep in touch with others locally and stay informed. This is essential for bee health, especially if there is a disease challenge or local sightings of predators such as the Asian Hornet. Hopefully it would also enhance your knowledge and enjoyment of keeping bees.

There are various levels of membership depending on whether or not you own bees – more details on the membership form. As a member of West Suffolk BKA you automatically become a member of the Suffolk Beekeepers’ Association (SBKA).

This website has links to the six branches that it comprises (including our own) and you are welcome to attend most of their events. If you sign up for full membership, you also become a British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA) member and your beekeeping activities will be covered by third party liability insurance. You will receive their monthly magazine with news of beekeeping nationally and globally.

Newletter

Our newsletter is published three or four times per year and is emailed to members.

In addition to occasional essential emails, a monthly bulletin keeps members in touch with club activities.

Apiary

We run an Apiary at Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds, which is open to members at fixed times during the summer. Our flourishing Education programme gets new beekeepers off to a flying start. During the winter we hold monthly meetings, usually at The Victory Ground Pavilion, Nowton Road, Bury with a programme of talks and the chance for members to catch up on each other’s bee-news. Nuclei (new colonies) of bees or swarms can be supplied depending uponavailability.

Events inc pub meet-ups

Extractor loan

We have two manual, tangential extractors for hire for a small remittance. Please email Francis Gibson (frances-gibson@tiscali.co.uk) or call 01359 250282 for more details.

Club library

A varied selection of publications old and new are available for free, time-limited loan. We have an online list of our collection and they are available to view on request at our meetings.[do we want a link to the list?]

There is no pressure to actively take part in club events although of course we are always delighted when members become involved or offer help. The club itself is run by a small committee of around ten members, meeting four times per year and often discussing matters by email. Each member has a certain responsibility – events, treasurer etc, so it is very hands-on and always in need of more help. The Constitution is available to view here.[new – see next item]