2023-12-31-accounts - Herefordshire Beekeepers' Association

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Herefordshire Beekeepers’ Association

Annual General Meeting 7.00pm March 5th, 2024 Agenda, Minutes and Reports

Registered Charity No: 1174917

The Annual General Meeting Of the

Herefordshire Beekeepers’ Association Will be held at

Belmont Community Centre, HR2 7UQ

On

Tuesday 5th March, 2024

THE MEETING WILL COMMENCE at 7.00pm

AGENDA

Apologies
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 23rd March, 2023
Matters arising
Adoption of the Annual Reports by Trustees
Finance
Election of Trustees
Any other business
Registered Charity No: 1174917

Trustees of Charity who manage HBKA
Anthony Ravenhall	Chairman
Val Lilwall	Vice Chairman
Dr Roger Gill	Treasurer
Steve Utley	Membership Secretary	Apiary Manager
Janelle Quitman	Hon. Secretary
Val Lilwall	Honey Show Secretary	South LAN Secretary
John Moxley		incoming AHAT Coordinator
Deborah Smith		Exam Secretary
		BBKA Delegate
Mary Walter		BBKA ADM Reserve Delegate

Registered Charity No: 1174917

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the

HEREFORDSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION Registered Charity No. 1174917

was held at Belmont Community Centre, HR2 7UQ on

Thursday 23rd March 2023 THE MEETING COMMENCED AT 7.00 pm MINUTES

Apologies: Peter Luzteier, Andrew Barnes, David Hewlett, Sarah Jane Mason, Sharon Morris, Samantha James, Sarah Whittaker, Dave , David Pealing, Ann Shawcross, Kim Clarke, Richard Scott, Steve Parker, Terry Bullock, Dave Taylor.

Attendees: Full members Carol Bean, Graham Cook, Bob Cross, Ellen Davies, Simon Durrant, Rod Ellis, Isobel Goddard, Andy Hayward, Val Lilwall, Kate Nieveen, Colin Pavey, Don Priestman, Janelle Quitman, Lorna Radnor, Tony Ravenhall, Alistair Ross, Debbie Smith, Jonathan Tanburn, Steve Utley, Mary Walter, Rob Williams, Nikki Whitaker, Chris Wright.

Associate members: Kath Cross, Alan Jenyon, John Kinross, Robin Moore. Visitor: Mrs Kinross

Appointment of meeting Chairman: Colin Pavey was elected to act as meeting Chairman, proposed by Roger Gill, seconded by Steve Utley.
Minutes of the meeting held on 24th March 2022, these were accepted by the members present, proposed by Roger Gill, seconded by Val Lilwall.
Matters arising. none.
Adoption of the Annual Reports. These were accepted by members, proposed by Isabel Goddard, seconded by Tony Ravenhall.
Finance. Roger Gill explained the cash takings from the Saturday at the Three Counties show had been lost. As a result of this a cash handling procedure had been put in place and implemented at the honey show. He hoped to arrange an apiary site for the East LAN, but this would require an apiary manager.
Election of nine Trustees. Nicola Percival, Charlotte Taylor and Rod Ellis had resigned during the year. Janelle Quitman offered to stand as trustee and was elected together with the existing trustees.
Any Other Business: Members who had been successful in the honey show were congratulated for their success. The honey show trophies were awarded to the winners. An ornamental hive tool was awarded to Bob Cross who has been an enormous support to the trustees over the last few years. There was an enquiry from a member of the audience whether we had claimed the grant available from the Three Counties showground towards costs of our display. The treasurer was unsure whether this had been received.
The meeting concluded at 7.25pm
Signed

Dated

Registered Charity No: 1174917

Chairman’s Report

2023 was an interesting year for the Association and the committee and we’ve seen quite a few changes to the committee with long term members retiring and new faces replacing them. But more on that later. Overall it's been a good year, with membership and attendance at LAN meetings staying at re-pandemic levels as the interest in beekeeping as a hobby maintains its place in the public's awareness. The numbers on our beginners course has remained steady with many course attendees going on to get their own colonies and become active beekeepers.

The annual honey show, again held at Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, was very successful and although entries for the various sections were lower than we would have liked, the honey sales and Bob’s ever - popular demonstration tents were very well received and attended.

One of the main concerns has continued to be the threat of the incursion of Asian Hornet. The committee , together with the BBKA, has been very proactive in disseminating information to our membership and promoting public awareness of this invasive creature and the harm it brings, not just to the honey bee, but to pollinators in general. We are committed to continue our programme of education and aiding our members to help combat this menace both practically and with additional information where possible.

Our programme of talks and workshops has continued throughout the year, both on-line and in person with some of the high-lights being The Healthy Bee Day, Our continuing relationship with the team of Buckfast Abbey Beekeepers, Wax workshops and Andy Pedley’s talk on Food Safety for the Beekeeper.

The LANs continue to thrive but this year we need to make sure that their organisation is supported by the membership, with shared responsibility for their administration and running. There will be more on this later on in the year.

The Holme Lacy Apiary has again been expertly and very effectively run by Steve Utley, and is still our premier educational resource for both within the Association and for the public.

This year also saw our adopting of a new style Association Logo, that reflects our location ( the county of Herefordshire), with a reference to our history ( a stylised bee based on a drawing of one of our founders Alfred Watkins).

This emblem if available in badges , on sale at the AGM for the first time at £2 , plus sew on fabric patches and clothing items will be on sale later this year to adorn our bee-suits!

We have had several members of the committee who have stepped down this year and I would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you for all their commitment to the Association during their tenure. So a big thanks goes to Rod Ellis, Kate Nieveen, Rob Williams and of course to the incomparable force of nature that is Mary Walter. Again more on that subject later.

May I also take this opportunity to ask members to consider putting themselves forward to join us on the committee. It is not only a rewarding and instructional activity but also benefits our membership and the world of beekeeping as a whole.

So in summary, 2023 has had its successes and challenges but overall we ended the year of a very positive note. The Asian Hornet will continue to concern us in the years ahead and we need to stay vigilant to help reduce the impact of this ever present menace.

May I recommend that you do read the individual officers' reports as they will give you a far more in depth view of the workings of the Association and its Committee.

Anthony Ravenhall, Chairman.

Registered Charity No: 1174917

Hon. Secretary’s Report.

There was much to celebrate for HBKA members in 2023. The first, the freedom to attend in-house meetings and converse with fellow beekeepers following long restrictions imposed by the pandemic. In February 2023, full attendance to the Wax Workshop held in Bartestree, inspired by capable demonstrators making wax wraps, encaustic art and decorative candles, resulted in a request for future wax workshops.

Early March saw volunteers turn up on a crisp, cold morning to clean the equipment and the Association shed making ready for the spring programme of meetings. It was a case of many hands making light work amongst much laughter.

The Beginners’ Course held in March, April and May had a full complement of attendees, many of whom became regular visitors to the Association Apiary contributing by becoming fully involved throughout the season; baking cakes, and, following hive inspections, helping set up and putting away chairs for the talks.

Congratulations to the three beekeepers who passed their Basic Assessment. It was held at the Association apiary in the summer, on a very wet Saturday, adjudicated by Jim Vivian-Griffiths. Thanks must go to our Apiary Manager, Steve Utley who prepared the bees - and the umbrellas! - for the day. Well done, Andy Hayward, Dave Taylor and John Moxley. Hopefully these three will be encouraged to take the next practical step towards the Honeybee Health Certificate which requires beekeepers to have kept colonies for at least three years.

The Three Counties Show took place at Malvern and it was Gloucestershire’s turn to lead the Bees and Honey Marquee where they included an interactive touch screen for visitors. Herefordshire enjoyed engaging the children in candle rolling and members came away with prizes for their honey, wax, mead and forage entries. Please don’t be shy about volunteering to help at our stand for a couple of hours.

The unpredictable English summer weather did its best to test preparations for outdoor gatherings but our thanks to Mike Healey and his wife who kindly hosted a hog roast and cider evening, with added advice to ‘bring wellies’. The rain held off and fun was had by all.

In July, a Healthy Bee Day was held at Sutton St Nicholas. We had an opportunity to see irradiated combs of AFB and EFB supplied by seasonal and regional bee inspectors. Informative talks on, and application of, biosecurity was a full and useful day for everyone, including Ludlow BKA visitors.

After a mixed harvest for some, we hosted Tony Pedley, a retired health inspector, who gave us a talk on Food Safety for Beekeepers to which we also included invitations to Ludlow BKA. Tony brought along copies of his book for sale as a helpful reference at a later date.

Throughout the year at the Association apiary, following hive inspections, talks were given by volunteers on a schedule of seasonal subjects. Without our well run apiary by Steve Utley, the help of Val Lilwall and the volunteers, this valued resource would not function as smoothly and educationally as it does. Equally, in North LAN, Rihards Krauze has hosted regular apiary safaris and Simon Durrant has stepped forward to volunteer to organise apiary visits for East LAN.

On one of these occasions there was a session on making observation wick baits and traps against the Asian Hornet. Rob Williams has stepped down from the committee as AHAT coordinator. With the imminent threat of the invasive Yellow-legged Asian Hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax, John Moxley has accepted to take on this role. It is hoped by now that all members in Herefordshire have downloaded the free Asian Hornet Watch app onto their smart mobile phone.

Registered Charity No: 1174917

../6

Hon. Sec. Report Continued from page 5.

In the autumn, on Big Apple Day weekend, the HBKA Honey Show was held at Hellens Gardens, Much Marcle. South LAN had new enthusiastic members who were involved in the successful outcome of winning the LAN challenge. The subject was Beekeeping and Medicine through the ages. Many thanks to all who attended and entered exhibits. Particular thanks to our Show Secretary Val Lilwall, Steve Utley and Cath & Bob Cross for making the honey show a smooth-running success. Hopefully next year we can increase the entries to 100 - making us eligible for the Blue Ribbon Award. Andy Hayward and John Moxley assisted the Honey Judge and found it very interesting, learning what the Judge is looking for and how to achieve show-winning entries. Being stewards at honey shows is an ideal way for beginners to learn about producing quality honey and hive products.

At the end of the season, after preparing our hives for winter, Steve Utley organised zoom talks with Buckfast Abbey beekeepers, Claire Densley and Martin Hann, who took us through the winter evenings sharing their experiences and answering questions on the active season past. Steve has arranged for more of these talks at the end of the year. Our thanks must go to Steve for doing so much for the Association, including his role as Membership Secretary.

Thanks must go to all the Trustees for their work on the Committee particularly Tony for stepping in as Chair and conducting committee meetings so cheerfully. To Roger for doing a splendid job as Treasurer, a most responsible position.

Our two prime sources of disseminating information to all the members is via the website and the Buzzword Newsletter. Our thanks to Kirsten Ellerby and Roger Gill for their continued and prompt production of the monthly newsletter.

Finally, and most importantly, it remains for us all to express our profound and grateful thanks to Mary Walter, who, for twenty years, has held the post of Hon. Secretary. Mary has a great wealth of knowledge and shares it generously. With patient kindness, help and support she handed over this role at the end of last year - in incremental measure, so as not to overwhelm me with the many tasks all at once. I know you will join me in wishing her continued success with her beekeeping.

Janelle Quitman

Registered Charity No: 1174917

Membership Secretary

2023 . The colonies started swarming before many beekeepers were ready for it and the swarm collectors were busy very early on. Weather wise the season was up and down, often very wet, often very dry!

Although the number of members with bees only increased very slightly (4), the number of hives insured increased by over 100 in number and it could be easily seen on the renewals that many members had increased their stocks.

It is disappointing that we lose several members each year, where they have lost their bees over the winter, got disheartened and decided to give up. I know that even the most experienced beekeeper might lose a colony or two over the winter but many of these members that give up are people that start their beekeeping journey prior to the winter. Preparing for the winter is very important for the colony and if anyone is unsure how to prepare or what they need to do in the winter, please ask for help. We have a WhatsApp group that is available to any member, this can and does get used to ask questions. Go along to any of the apiary meetings organised by the LANs, it doesn’t matter whether it is your LAN or not, you can still attend any of them. You will meet other beekeepers and beekeepers just love talking about bees.

Listed here are the 2023 figures

Full Membership numbers increased to 186 Local/Associate Membership numbers reduced to 48 Partnership Membership nudged up to 5

Total Membership - 239 (2022 figure - 243).

Total colonies insured (BDI) – 1216 (2022 figure - 1089)

Tuesday meetings at our Training Apiary in Holme Lacy were well attended each week. We regularly had 20+ members from all LANs who were split into groups and helped through inspections by our more experienced beekeepers. These inspections were followed by a talk on a pre-arranged subject, plus the usual tea/coffee and cake.

It was pleasing to see new beekeepers/beginners regularly attending and enjoying learning how to look after bees.

We continue to do the Zoom meetings over the winter months, often with Clare and Martin from Buckfast. Each presentation is well attended and members have said how they find them really interesting and many have learned something from them, even if they have seen the talk before.

Steve Utley

Registered Charity No: 1174917

HONORARY TREASURER’S REPORT 2023

As in previous years, the biggest single expenditure is the capitation fee to the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) followed by the payment made to Bee Diseases Insurances on behalf of our members. What is left comes to the Herefordshire Beekeepers Association

Once again we have shown a small surplus in our current assets, this year of £880.79 after allowing for payments and costs made in 2023 for the beginners’ course in 2024. We have estimated that our fixed assets have declined in value by £1791, but have invested in a new wax melter for the North LAN. We purchased a projection screen and a pop up Asian hornet display stand, neither of which have been capitalised. We also had to purchase urgently a new card reader, the other having failed on the morning of the Honey Show.

As we were not hosts for the beekeeping display at the Royal Three Counties Show this year, both the associated revenues and costs are much smaller than last year.

We have in 2023 invested in items for resale. These include Trappit Bait, which we sell on at cost and would encourage member to purchase in order to be able to monitor the possible arrival of Asian hornets in our area. Looking across the channel to the depredations of honeybee colonies in France, and looking at the sightings of Asian hornet in the UK in 2023 (more than all the previous confirmed UK sightings put together) the Asian hornet possibly offers the greatest single, imminent threat to our activities as beekeepers.

We have purchased some metal badges, sporting the new HBKA logo, for resale and are looking at acquiring some fleeces and tee shirts embroidered also with the logo.

We continue to sit on a useful financial cushion, and are open to thought-through proposals as how best these might be used to further the objects of the of the Association: To further the craft of beekeeping and advance the education of the public in apiculture and the importance of honey bees in the environment. To encourage, inform and improve the craft of beekeeping for the public benefit.

Roger Gill Treasurer

Registered Charity No: 1174917

HONORARY TREASURER’S REPORT 2023

As we were not hosts for the beekeeping display at the Royal Three Counties Show this year, both the associated revenues and costs are much smaller than last year.

We have purchased some metal badges, sporting the new HBKA logo, for resale and are looking at acquiring some fleeces and tee shirts embroidered also with the logo.

We continue to sit on a useful financial cushion, and are open to thought-through proposals as how best these might be used to further the objects of the of the Association:

To further the craft of beekeeping and advance the education of the public in apiculture and the importance of honey bees in the environment. To encourage, inform and improve the craft of beekeeping for the public benefit.

Roger Gill

Herefordshire Beekeepers Association

Financial Activities

January - December 2023

January - December 2022

Income
Subscriptions	7292.3	6486.48
Total Big Apple income	775.05	950.32
Total LANs ncome	900	600
Three Counties Show sales	337.24	3803.97
Training Apiary Sales	included in show/big apple sales	389
Training Course Fees	1774.6	1788.8
Other income	551.56
Total Income	11630.75	14018.57
Expenditures
Total Admin	1003.81	289.2
Advertising/promotional/website	835.2	809.98
BBKA Capitation	3973.5	3904.5
Bee Diseases Insuranc	780.8	744.65
Total Big Apple Show expenditure	892.14	1149.23
Computer & projector costs,	0	334.79
HBKA Meetings	832.19	225.5
Insurances	165.96	144.49
Online meetings and training	380.32	393.88
Total LAN costs	217.33	42.34
Three Counties expenditure	236.35	4391.37
Training apiary expenditures	53.68	13.96
Training course expenditure	777.85	included in admin
Purchases for resale	708
Total Expenditures	10857.13	12443.89
Net Operating Income	773.62	1574.68
Interest on savings	107.17	47.31
Net Income/(Expenditure)	880.79	1621.99
Training fees paid in advance	297	295.2
Membership fees paid in advance		32.54
Training costs paid in advance	335
Depreciation	1790.68	2154.6

Herefordshire Beekeepers Association

Assets

Cash position:
	31-Dec-23	31-Dec-22
Lloyds Bank	8367.21	7332.51
Monmouthshire BS	10667.3	10560.13
PayPal	1,205.96	1832.78
			Change
	£20,240.47	£19,725.42	£515.05
less accruals
Adv trng fees	297	295.2
Adv membership fee		32.54
Adv trng costs	-335
			Change
Current assets	£20,278.47	£19,397.68	£880.79

Other assets

For insurance p	urposes, these are valued at replacement cost 31-Dec-22 Depreciation additions 31-Dec-23* Cups and trophies 2500 0 2500 Boilers/extractors 704 -140.8 563.2 Microscopes/projector 655 -131 524 Apiaries 4964 -992.8 3971.2 Gazebo,display materials 672 -134.4 537.6 Library 480 -96 384 Wax melter 217.33 217.33 Bee suits 1478.4 -295.68 1182.72
	TOTAL 11453.4 -1790.68 9880.05

*20% pa declining balance