HERTFORD AND WARE BEEKEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION CIO
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Registered Charity No: 1187139
www.HWBees.org.uk
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@HWBeekeepers
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Hertford and Ware Beekeepers' Association CIO ("HWBKA")
Chair's Report
Last year we had great weather in April, which made us think we were going to have a bumper spring crop and then it rained throughout May which set back the honey crop for most of us. However, many of our Members enjoyed a good harvest, albeit later in the season than usual. There were also lots of swarms this year and I’m pleased that all of the Members on our swarm list managed to get a colony.
I had a ‘first’ this year when I was asked to remove a large colony of bees from within the walls of a barn! With the help of Rachel and two of my sons, we were hoisted up in a cherry picker as we cut layers and layers comb from the wall. It was an incredibly messy job and for a few weeks we were unsure if we had managed to be successful, but I was surprised to come out of it with a healthy colony and a laying queen (as well as a very sticky mess!) - see pictures at the end of the report.
John Daffern, Chair
Our Association thrives because of the Members who volunteer their time to help organise or take part in events. I would like to extend my personal thanks to everyone who helped last year and for your continued support and enthusiasm.
Member Communications: Our WhatsApp group is always active with lots of questions, and everyone sharing ideas and helping each other. If you’re not already in the group, please let us know and we will add you.
Equipment: We have an assortment of equipment which is free for members to borrow. Our shared equipment includes an oxalic acid vaporiser, a wax melter for making candles, children’s bee suits (sorry that I temporarily lost these), adult bee suits, manual 2 frame extractor and electric 12 frame extractor and a new uncapping tray with knife. Please feel free to ask!
Training: New beekeepers training is at the heart of our activities to keep our established membership refreshed and to share knowledge and in particular to welcome newcomers to beekeeping. We held two beginners' training courses early in the season and as a result welcomed some new Members. We will run another introduction course this year and already have a list of people wanting to attend. At the end of the season, we welcomed Simon Rice to give a talk on winter preparation which was very informative. We also had 2 county events where we had several speakers and also competitions for honey, wax, photography and crafts. We’re planning to have more activities this coming year.
Our Basia & Solle meet Lawrence of Black Mountain Honey fame at the National Honey Show In February
Farmers Markets: We set up stall at the Hertford Farmers' Market on the 2nd Saturday of every month, we attend the summer events in Hertford and Ware and we also attended the Hertford Christmas market. Sadly, the quarterly Ware market was discontinued. These events provide an outlet for Members to sell surplus honey and bee produce such as candles. This year we’ve seen more Members producing a wider range of products; it would be great to have more Members selling the produce from their hives, so please get in touch even if you have just a few pounds of honey or a few candles to sell.
Public Engagement: These markets are also an important Brian & opportunity to talk to the public about bees. Lots of people are keen Jenny to learn about bees as well as buying our excellent produce. We will Thomas continue to share our enthusiasm for bees and to promote their with their importance to the environment. winning entry in the Apiary: We now just have one apiary in Essendon where we have 2023 some club hives which we use for training and also to provide honey Honey which raises funds for the Association. If you’d like to keep bees Tasting there, please get in touch.
All set up at Hertford Farmer's Market
Social: For the second year we kicked off the season with a well attended curry evening at The Ruby in Hertford and enjoyed a social get together after the AGM and Simon Rice's presentation. Many thanks to Paul and Alison Cassidy for hosting a garden party for the association again this year. The honey tasting was very popular (congratulations to Brian & Jenny) and it was a great opportunity for Members to meet and share beekeeping hints and tips.
And finally: I would like to extend my thanks to my fellow committee members and trustees who give their time to keep HWBKA going, and to the other Members who volunteer to help setting up our market stall, engaging with the public and selling. We are always keen to involve more Members who can spare a few hours to help to participate in the running of the association; please don't be shy about coming forward! I wish you all a successful beekeeping year in 2024 and hope to see you all at some of the events this year.
John Daffern
Chair
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John
clearing
bees from
the barn
wall
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Hertford and Ware Beekeepers' Association CIO ("HWBKA")
Report of the Trustees to Members for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
| Management | Trustees | **Committee ** | Role | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Daffern | | | Chair | |
| Paul Cassidy | | | Treasurer | |
| Rachel Daffern | | |||
| Jane Rowley | | |||
| Murray Quinney | | |||
| Andreas Simou(resigned 3 January 2024) | | |||
| Brian Thomas | | |||
| Bill Hamilton | | |||
| Basia Zacharuk | | |||
| Solle Zacharuk | | |||
| Veronica Fraser(joined 23 May 2023) | | |||
| Independent Examiner: | Peter Knowles | |||
| Registered Charity No: | 1187139 | |||
| Bank: | Lloyds Bank | PLC | ||
| Membership | 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Full Registered | 40 | 39 | ||
| Partner | 8 | 9 | ||
| Country | 5 | 6 | ||
| Social | - | 1 | ||
| Total Regular Members Beginners' Course |
53 9 |
55 6 |
||
| Total All Members | 62 | 61 |
Annual General Meeting: The 4th AGM of HWBKA took place on 2 March 2023 at The White Horse, Hertford; the 5th AGM will take place at 8pm on 20 March 2024 at The Bengeo Club, Hertford.
Trustees: The trustees and Committee members (opposite) served throughout 2023 and remain in office except where otherwise stated.
Objectives: The objectives of HWBKA, as set out in its constitution, are " to promote and further the craft of beekeeping within the area defined broadly as the towns of Hertford and Ware and their surrounding villages and countryside (“area”) and to advance the education of the public within the area in the importance of bees in the environment. "
Activities: HWBKA furthered its objectives during the year by running a training course for beginner beekeepers, promoting public engagement through regular attendance at the Hertford farmers' markets and local carnivals and attending members of the public to catch swarms of bees which were transferred to the HWBKA apiary and then rehomed. Activities are fully described in the Chair's Report.
Financial: the net assets of the Association have increased to £6,717 as a result of the surplus income of £311 (2022: £100) for the year. As stated in previous years the Committee's objective is to operate broadly at a break-even level; the slightly higher surplus in 2023 is largely attributable to the increased numbers attending our Beginners' Course which generated a surplus of £596 compared with only £261 in 2022. The Committee has therefore decided to maintain in 2024 the discount on membership fees introduced in 2022 and to continue to absorb the increase in BBKA membership fees which came into effect in 2022.
Assets: Our healthy financial position enabled us to invest £795 in new assets in 2023 to support our activities. These included a much superior honey extraction tray for members to borrow and a more robust gazebo and table to use at events we attend.
Hertford and Ware Beekeepers' Association CIO ("HWBKA")
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of HWBKA
I report on the accounts of HWBKA for the year ended 31st December 2023 (''Accounts'').
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the Accounts. It is my responsibility to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by HWBKA and a comparison of the Accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the Accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not expressed an audit opinion on the view given by the Accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to (a) keep accounting records and (b) prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records have not been met; or
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2) to which in my opinion attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the Accounts to be reached.
Peter Knowles Independent Examiner
7 February 2024
Hertford and Ware Beekeepers' Association CIO
Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
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INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER
2023 2022
2023 2022
Income Expense Net Income Income Expense Net Income
Membership Fees NET ASSETS
HWBKA Membership Fees £1,549 £1,549 £1,517 £1,517 Fixed Assets
BBKA & HBKA Membership Fees -£1,212 -£1,212 -£1,169 -£1,169 Original Cost £3,886 £3,091
Gift Aid £198 £198 £193 £193 Cumulative Depreciation -£2,299 -£1,739
Membership Fees Total £1,747 -£1,212 £535 £1,710 -£1,169 £541 Fixed Assets Total £1,588 £1,352
Farmers' Market & Events Current Assets
Sales of Own Product £262 -£16 £246 £492 -£207 £285 Stock £279 £192
Commission on Member Sales £257 £257 £362 £362 Debtors £198 £279
Event Hire -£349 -£349 -£382 -£382 Cash At Bank & In Hand £4,953 £4,934
Other Selling Costs -£109 -£109 -£117 -£117 Current Assets Total £5,430 £5,404
Farmers' Market & Events Total £519 -£475 £44 £854 -£706 £148
Current Liabilities
Training Creditors -£10 -£10
Beginners' Course £1,040 -£445 £596 £650 -£389 £261 Deferred Income -£290 -£340
Other Training -£100 -£100 Current Liabilities Total -£300 -£350
Training Total £1,040 -£545 £496 £650 -£389 £261
NET ASSETS Total £6,717 £6,407
Other Income
Donations £107 £107 £40 £40 HWBKA FUNDS
Other Income Total £107 £107 £40 £40 Endowment £3,565 £3,565
Operating Costs Net Income
Depreciation -£560 -£560 -£451 -£451 2020 Net Income £1,395 £1,395
Small Equipment -£92 -£92 -£224 -£224 2021 Net Income £1,347 £1,347
Apiary Costs -£73 -£73 -£106 -£106 2022 Net Income £100 £100
Governance -£63 -£63 -£50 -£50 2023 Net Income £311
Member Social Events -£63 -£63 -£50 -£50 Net Income Total £3,152 £2,842
Miscellaneous -£21 -£21 -£8 -£8
Operating Costs Total -£871 -£871 -£889 -£889 HWBKA FUNDS Total £6,717 £6,407
Net Income £3,413 -£3,102 £311 £3,253 -£3,153 £100
1. The Accounts are presented on an accruals basis, i.e. matching income with expenditure by time period.
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- Assets which will be used over several years are depreciated at 25% p.a. based on the depreciated value at the start
of each year.
John Daffern, Chair Paul Cassidy, Treasurer
7 February 2024