Charity Registration Number.. 1193201 NORTH DORSET BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Contents Reference and Administrative Details Trustees Report Independent Examiners Report Statement of Financial Activities Statement of Assets and Liabilities Notes to Financial Activities 10-13
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Reference and Administrative Details Trustees Mr Robert Baird - Chair Mr Mark Burnell (Appointed 6 December 20231 Mrs Lesley Gasson Mr Gordon Grant Mr Julian Grazebrook Mr James Nalty (Resigned 19 March 20241 Mr Terence Payne Mr Grant Stenhouse (Appointed 4 June 20241 Mr Tim Villiers (Resigned 6 December 20231 Prlnclpal Office The White House, Shillingstone, Blandford Forum, Dorset DTII OSF Charity Reglstration Number 1193201 Bankers Lloyds Bank, Blandford Branch, PO Box 1000, BXI ILT Independent Examiner Mr Peter Robbins FCA 25 Edwina Drive, Poole, Dorset BH17 7JG PagL'
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Trustees, Report The Trustees present their annual report, together with the financial statements of the charity, for the year ended 30 September 2024. Ob5ecttves The North Dorset Beekeepers Association aims to advance the edLFcation of the public and existing beekeepers in the craft of beekeeping and the importance of bees in the environment. It provides basic and advanced training in accordance with the policies of the British Beekeeper5 Association, keeps qualifted members ilp to date with current thinking and good practice, and attends local events to help educate the general public about the importance of bees in the environment and the threats they face. Trustees Trustees are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting held in November. The Chair of Trustees is elected at the first Trustees Meeting following the AGM. All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or benefits. Organisation and Governance The routr.ne management of Association activities is delegated to a Management Committee. An additional sub-committee, The New Apiary Working Group, was also established by the Trustees to exercise close control over the raising of funds and construction of the proposed Honey Bee Centre. A5 part of the progression towards the creation of a new apiary, and in Consideration of increased community engagement at the Centre, involving people from a wider range of backgrounds and age groups, the Safeguarding Policy for vulnerable adults and children has been updated, and a new Health and Safety Policy introduced. Review of Current Association Status and Future Development The Association'5 current activities are limited by the size and location of the teaching apiary. To rectify this, the Association has signed a 25-year lease agreement for land near the existing apiary, and obtained planning permission to erect a new building for training and related purposes. It will be called the North Dorset Honey Bee Centre and will have the teaching apiary and parking located adjacent to the building, so that fulure tuition will all be on one site. This wÈll enable the Association to reach out into the community, introducing more people to bees and beekeeping and the impact bees have on our daily life, food security, and biodiversity. At the same time, it will remove access limitations caused by the physically demanding route to the current teaching apiary and the lack of facilities on the site. The Association has raised over £80,000 during this financial year from Erants and donations made by charitable trusts. foundations, local government, businesses, and individuals. Of this, £66,288 is included within the Financial Statements and firm commitments have been received for £17,600
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Trustees, Report which will be paid upon completion of specific work 5chedule5. At the year end, further grant requests maIn in the pipeline. This generosity has allowed the Trustees to commit funds to Start work on the building. Construction will start in early October 2024. To date reserves committed to this project stand at £132,303 (excluding funds committed but not receivedl. Our project fundraising target is £200,000. We hope to open the new building in late SLJmmer 2025. Review of Activities of the A550ciation In planning our activities, we keep in mind the Charity Commission's guidante on public benefit at our trustee meetings. The main activities of the Association are.. Training A number of formal training courses, for which fee5 are charged, are run to: provide future beekeepers with the practical experience and theoretical knowledge to manage bees in a sustainable manner throughout the year. improve the knowledge of existing beekeepers on current best practice, good husbandry and pest5 and diseases. give students the knowledge required to sit the British Beekeepers Association IBBKAI theoretical advanced modular exams. The modules17 totall cover various aspects of beekeeping such as bee management, pests and diseases, bee biology. etc. Courses covering these modules are run by North Dorset BKA instructors for the benefit of all Dorset registered beekeepers. Examples of training include: Beginners and Second Year Course The annual Beginners Course was held from April - August 2024, following our established format, with 30 new beekeepers as students- an addib'onal 4 potential new beekeepers also attended the Introduction Day. The Second Year Course was attended by 13 beekeepers. The Association continue5 to be indebted to the tutor5 and other volunteers who put in a lot of time and efft)rt into making the programme such a success. Modules (written examinations) Two separate courses were prepared and run for Module I, delivered in Dorchester and in Iwerne Minster. A course for Module 2 was held in Blandford, and one for Module 5 was held in Shillingstone. An aggregate of 65 student5 attended these courses. The written examinations will be held this November with four Dorset members sithng the exams for three different modules.
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Trustees. Report Bee Experience Days In response to the interest in bees and honey production shown by visitors to our stands at public events, the association organised three Bee Experience Days in 2024. Attendees were introduced in a 'hands on manner, to the basics of beekeeping through a short lecture, followed by a visit to the teaching apiary to open a hive and gain an understanding of how bees behave, collect pollen and nectar (to prod4Jce honey) and reproduce. 44 people paid a fee to attend these days; a number of the attendees have subsequently applied to do the Beginners Course. Lettures Over the winter months, the association has organised evenin8 lectu5 on beekeeping related subjects. Public Interartion Shows In the past 12 months, the association ha5 parhcipated in a number of local agriculturol shows and community events. The largest of these, the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, included live bee observation hives, beeswax candle rolling, and information displays, over a two-day period, as well as providing an opportunity for the public to learn about and purchase pure local honey. A very successful Honey Show was also held in the marquee in association with the displays. A smaller display was provided over two day5 at the Spring Countryside Show on the Turnpike Showground. Talks were given to several village gardeninB clubs and other community groups. Displays and talks were provided for children at 'bee-themed" mornings at local libraries in the summer holidays. A honey information display and sales point was mounted over two days at the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival in September. Rescues Members of the Association have responded to many requests from the general public to help with swarms and established bee colonies; in a number of cases we have cut out bee nests from the fabric of buildings, often in response to these being discovered by builders undertaking renovation work. No charge is made for this work, although donations for the new apiary are welcomed. As the Association'5 reputation for providing an efficient and friendly service has grown, so too the number of requests for this public service has increased. General Infomiaiion The local and free New Blackmore Vale Magazine is published in both paper and electronic form, and the association has provided regular articles on bees and beekeeping. These have charted beekeeping activities as the year progressed and have been well received.
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Trustees, Report Asian hornets are a massive threat to bees and all other pollinatinE insects,. they are now well established on Continental Europe and the Channel Isles and are attempting to establish themselves in the United Kingdom. Information display5 have been mounted to alert the public to this danger and to enlist their help in spothng these invaders. The Association's Asian Hornet Action Team has responded to two reque5t5 from DEFRA/National Bee Unit to check on possible sightings of these insects in North Dorsel- trap5 were set and monitored over many days,. happily, both were false alarms. All these activities are of direct beneilt to the public and no charges are made, except for attendance on formal courses to cover the equipment costs incurred. Summary It has been a busy year, but the association Is at the limit of the activities it can undertake, principally because inaccessibility and inadequacy of facilities at our apiary restricts the amount of teaching and familiarisation that can be undertaken. Trustees are delighted by the successful fundraising this year, and that a commitment could be made to commence construction work at our new site in early October 2024. Efforts to raise funds will continue in the coming year, and we plan to finish building the Honey Bee Centre and move the apiary to its new slte by the end of summer 2025. We are grateful for the many hours volunteers have spent raising funds on their own and assisting at local shows and events. Review of Finances The charity had an income during the year of f 79,532 and is eligible for independent examination. All income received by A550ciation, whether from ongoing operations or from donations, are credited to the general reserves. At the start of the Fundraising Project in 2023 the Trustees agreed that all surplus funds in excess of £5,000 sho¥Jld be transferred to a designated reserve which will be Used to fund the Honey Bee Centre and relocate the existinE teaching apiary. A retained balance of £5,000 in the general reserve was deemed sufficient at the time to meet the annual working capital requirements of the Association,. the Trustees will review this annually. At a Trustee'5 meeting on 22 October 2024, the trustees approved the transfer of £79,532 from general reserve to the designated reserve fund. The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on its behalf by- "It**P2024 and signed on Mr Robert J Baird Chair of Trustees
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of North Dorset Beekeepers Association I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024 which are set out on pages 8 to 13. Responsibilities and basis of report A5 the charity's trustees you afe responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out Ltnder section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Direchons given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confi'rm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material re5pect-. l. accounting record5 were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act,. 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. r Peter Robbins FCA 25 Edwina Drive, Poole, Dorset BH17 7JG Date.. 14 October 2024
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Statement of Financlal Activities for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 2024 2023 Notes Designated General Designated General Income Donations and Legacies Investment Income Membership Income Training Income Fund raising and Beekeeping Activities 66,288 2,433 5,824 10,408 18,222 243 5,809 6.938 6,139 6,525 Total Income 91,092 37,737 Expenditure Membership Costs Cost of Fundraising and 8eekeepinB Activities Legal Fees 4,123 4,045 7,437 7,213 1,595 Total Expenditure 11,560 1,595 11,258 Net Movement in Funds 79,532 11,5951 26.479 Reconciliation of Movement In Funds Total Funds Brought Forward Transfer 52,771 79,532 5,000 179,5321 19,187 35,179 13,700 135.1791 Total Funds Carried Forward 132,303 5,000 52,771 5,000 All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The notes on pages 11 to 13 form an integral part of these financial statements.
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 30 September 2024 2024 2023 Notes Current Assets Bank 139,409 59,330 139,409 59,330 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 2,106 1,559 Net Current Assets 137,303 57,771 Net Assets 137,303 57,771 Funds of the Charity Unrestricted General Unrestricted Designated 5,000 132,303 5,000 52,771 Total Funds io 137,303 57,771 The financial statements on pages 8 to 14 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 22 October 2024 and signed on their behalf by.. Mr RJ Baird Chair of Trustees The notes on pages 11 to 13 form an integral part of these financial ststements.
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Notes to the Financial Statements for Year ended 30 September 2024 l Accounting policies Statement of compliance The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities= Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporhng Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021, the Charitres Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. Basi5 Of preparation North Dorset Beekeepers Association meets the definition of a public benefit erTrtity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recoBnised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant atcounting policy notes. Going concern The trustees consider that there are no material untertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Income and endowments Income including membership, beekeepinE activities. donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding are of a general nature and are recogni5ed only when the charity has received the income. Expenditure All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. Taxation The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph I Schedule 6 of the Fin3nce Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity 15 Potentially exempt from taxation ir+ respect of income or capital gains received within tategories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Secrion 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily converrible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. Fund strurture Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees, discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees. Page | 10
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Notes to the Financial Statements for Year ended 30 September 2024 2 Income from donations and legacies Total 2024 Totsl 2023 Donation5 and Legacies Appeals and donations Legacies 66.288 17,856 366 66,288 18,222 Appeals and donations include donatr'ons from general public and also income tax recovered from HMRC. Income from subscriptions includes gross contributiorb by members for county and national beekeepers membership and insurance. 3 Investment Income Total 2024 Total 2023 Bank Interest 2,433 243 4 Income from attivities for generating funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Fund raising activities Sale of Produce 258 5,881 1,953 4,572 6,139 6,525 PaE, 111
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Notes to the Financial Statements for Year ended 30 September 2024 5 Total Resources Expended Total 2024 Total 2023 General Funds Cost of Membership to National Associations and insurance Cost of apiary supplies Cost of products sold Venue Hire for lectures and tuition Cost of Events Consultancy and Other Training General 4.123 4,045 827 2.270 990 473 2,197 680 854 3,327 907 1.007 119 999 Totsl Generdl Resources Expended 11,560 11,258 Designated Funds Legal Fees 1,595 Total Designated Funds Expended 1.595 Total Funds Expended 11,560 12,853 6 Trustees remuneratlon and expenses No trustee, nor any person connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year. No trustees have received any other benefits from the charity during the year. Trustees are reimbursed for expenses which they have incurred directly on behalf of the charity and are paid for any produce which they supply to the charity and which is sold at the events which are attended by the charity. 7 Taxation The Charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation. PaBe 112
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Notes to the Financial Statements for Year ended 30 September 2024 8 Bank 2024 2023 Lloyds Bank Current Lloyds Bank Instant Access Interest Bearing COIF Charities Deposit Fund 482 24.544 114,383 2,330 57.OCKI 139,409 59,330 9 Creditors. amounts falling due in one year 2024 2023 Amounts received from members and due to the regional and national beekeeping associations and for insurance Deposits received for bee suits used by members Accruals 1.256 250 600 1,309 250 2,106 1,559 10 Funds Balance at l October 2023 Incoming Resources Resources Expended Balance at 30 September 2024 Transfer Unrestricted General Designated 5,000 52,771 90,026 12,927 179,5321 79,532 132,303 57.771 90,026 12,927 137,303 11 Capital Commitments A commitment had been made before the year end to commence the construction of the Honey 3ee Centre in Shillingstone, Dorset. Orders had been placed for £50,210 to cover Phase l of the tonstruction project, which involved preliminary groundworks and drainage. Work will commence in early Octobef. Quotes have been received for the complete Pfoject, which will cost in total approximately £200,000. Pag | 13