2024-12-31-accounts

Herts Beekeepers Central and South Association -“HBCSA”

Minutes from the Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 24[th] April at Woolmer green Village Hall.

There were 27 attendees:

Louise Hare, Steve Hare, Ian Fairclough, Mick Cox, Rachel Leech, Nick Leech, Andrew Branch, Duncan Newton, Phil Jepson, Gabrialla Ross, Peter Folge, Vincent Ronet, Mitsuyo Osada, Hans Paschalis, Barry Derbyshire, Dominic Cox, Philip Raine, Morna Rees, Lieva Nation, Mike Goodhew, Mark Pontin, Dagmar Louw, Bartose Michnowick, Dorota Bialezne, Andrew Groom, Haris D, Steve Smith.

There were apologies from Rob Watt, Anthony Abbodoo, Terry Davis and Jennifer Meek.

Phil Jepson, Chairman, addressed the group. He talked about events this year that were planned and encouraged new beekeepers to join in and see how we talk to the public about Beekeeping and Honey production.

Steve Smith, Treasurer, presented the accounts. The Income mostly came from our Education and Training Programme, especially the Beginners Course and Honey Sales. The expenditures were on training, a new laptop for presentations and the Lock-up being our most costly expenditures. Other items being 3 metal sheds for Apiaries, a school hive and Asian Hornet traps.

He explained that he had had to do a tax return and had come to an arrangement to pay £74 and would not be expected to do so again for 4 years.

At the end of 2024 there was approximately £16,500 in the bank. It was discussed that this was more than necessary. He asked members for ides on expenditures. Phil talked about the Sum-Up machine that allowed us to take card payments at events. It was agreed that we took roughly twice as many payments by card as with cash last year.

We discussed Apiary Sites that were available for members. Steve explained that Waste Not Want Not may close in the future as The Council has now sold the land to a private owner. There are currently 20 hives there.

Duncan Newton, Apiary Coordinator listed other sites : Mitsubishi in Hatfield, has high security so visits out of hours need to be booked: Potterells near Welham Green is a large site but we have no contact with the Beekeepers there currently; Panshanger is a big site. There are currently 14 hives and could take 2 or 3 more; Lower Kits End Farm – Barnet could have 2 oe 3 hives; Essendon, Home farm is a very big new site; Dane End is being used by Nick and Alan. It is good why dry but very difficult when wet; Digswell has plenty of space, Rob Watt has his hives there; There are also 2 sites on Allotments in Welwyn Garden City.

Nick Leech, Training Officer, talked about the New Seasons Preparation Course in February which had 14 attendees and the Beginners Course in March which had 27 attendees. The Apiary Meetings for this are to be held in May. He asked for people to come forward as Bee Buddies for the beginners.

Steve Smith talked about the Swarm Collection Course, due to take place on 30[th] April at Christchurch, Parkway in Welwyn Garden City at 7.30pm. There is also a Healthy Bee Day planned for June.

Phil Jepson called for elections of the Trustees. No new people came forward sothe three returning trustees were voted in Unanimously: Nick Leech, Duncan Newton and Andrew Groom.

A.O.B.

Andrew Branch asked about Bees on Allotments. The Council had given him West Herts Guidance on screening off the hives using fruit netting. This was agreed as good practice. Further discussion on keeping bees on allotments were made. Our Association has a standard agreement with owners of land where Apiaries are whether that is with Local Councils or Private Land Owners.

We discussed an Apiary Meeting that is planned for 7[th] June at Panshanger Apiary.

The official business of the meeting was concluded and very interesting talks were given by Peter Folge on his experiences with European Foulbrood disease and experimenting with leaving bees without treatments for Varroa.

After a short interval for refreshments Alan McCormick gave a fascinating insight into his uses of technology in his Beekeeping including monitoring temperature, humidity, weight of the hives, and even counting his bees in and out!

The Hertfordshire Beekeepers Central & South Association

Accounts for the Period from 1st January to 31st December 2024

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT	INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT			Income	Income		Spend	Spend		Net
Membership Fees & BDI Insurance HBCSA Membership Fees HBKA Membership Fees BBKA Membership Fees BDI Insurance Fees Membership Fees & BDI Insurance Total Other Income Education & Training Administration Donations Apiary Honey Sales Events Gift Aid for last 3 years Interest Other Income Total Total Income Expenditure Education & Training Administration Lockup Donations Apiary Honey Sales Events Tax Expenditure Total Total Expenditure					464 242 2394 353 3452 3104 0 50 0 3093 5375 1732 462 13816 17268			258 2562 377 3197 969 2915 2584 0 1401 2257 3945 73 14144 17341
Net Surplus/(Deficit)								-73

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT	STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT	STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT	31st
December 2024
Current Assets Cash at Bank Prepayments Equipment/ Leaflets/Brochures Debtors Current Assets Total Current Liabilities membership payments in advance Current LiabilitiesTotal					2024 16638 0 1100 0 17738 0 0
Net Assets					17738
Capital Account Retained Funds Net Surplus/Deficit					17582 229 (73)
Charity Funds					17738