Charity Registration Number.. 1193201 NORTH DORSET BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2025
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 10-14
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Reference and Administrative Detsils Trustees Mr Robert Baird - Chair Mr Mark Burnell Mrs Lesley Gasson Mr Gordon Grant Mrjulian Grazebrook Mr Terence Payne MrGrant Stenhouse Prlnclpal Office The White House, Shillingstone, Blandford Forum, Dorset DTII OSF Charity Regi5tratton 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
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 2025. Objectives The North Dorset Beekeepers Association aims to advance the education 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 Beekeepers Association, keeps qualified members up 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 Trustee5 Meeting following the AGM. All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or benelits. Organisation and Governance The routine 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. Associatr"on Policie5 are published on our website. In line with recommended best practice, each is reviewed annually by Trustees. Financial Review The charity had a gross income during the year of £138,3961£91,092 20241 which generated a total surplus net income for the year of £123.9231£79.532 20241. A breakdown of the performance appears in the attached Statement of Financial Acts'vities. All income received by Association, whether from ongoing operations or from donations, is credited to the general reserves. At the start of the Honey Bee Centre Fundraising Project in 2023 the Trustees agreed that a minimum balance should be maintained in retained general reserves at all time5 and that any surplus revenue generated should be transferred to a designated reserve which would be used initially to fund the Honey Bee Centre and the relocation of the existing teaching apiary. A retained balance of £5,000 in the Eeneral reserve has been deemed adequate to meet the annual working capital requirements of the A5SOC13ti0n,' the Trustees review the adequacy of this Reserve annually. At a Trustee's meeting on 28 October 2025, the trustees approved the transfer of £126,390 from general reserve to the designated reserve fund.
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Any costs which are directly attributable to the construction of the Honey Bee Centre are capitalised- however certain smaller cost items, such as projection units or security cameras are written off against the designated reserve in full in the year that they were incurred. Due to the level of income received, the charity is required to have an independent examination. Review of Current Association Status and Future Development The Association's current activities are limited by the size and location of the teaching apiary. To rectify this, the Association 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 future tuition will all be on one site. This increased flexibility will 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 £118,247 during this financial year from grants and donations made by haritable trusts, foundations, local government, businesses, and individuals. Of this, £101,275 is recorded as received within the Financial Statements and a firm commitment has been received for £16,972, which will be paid upon completion of Specific work schedules. To date, this brings the total funds received and allocated to the project since fundraising first began to £256,226. This generoslty allowed the Trustees to commit to starting work on the building project in October 2024. By the end of September 2025 the building infrastructure was complete and the final fithng out was taking place. The building is expected to be available for use from the end of November 2025 and it is planned that the apiary 15 moved from its current location in the Forum School during the winter. A formal opening 15 planned for Spring 2026. Review of Activlties of the Association In planning our activities, we keep in mind the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefits. The main activities of the Association are= Training A number of formal training courses, for which fees 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 knowledEe of existin8 beekeepers on current best practice, good husbandry and pests and diseases. give students the knowledge required to sit the British Beekeepers Association IBBKAI advanced modular exams. The modules17 in totall cover various aspect5 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 benelit of all Dorset registered beekeepers. Page 14
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Examples of trainin8 during the year include.. Beginners and Second Year Course The annual Beginners Course was held from April - August 2025. following our established format of 12 practical afternoon lessons following a fLtII Introduction Day. 30 new beekeepers attended as students, with an additional 5 potential new beekeepers also attending the Introduction Day. At the end of the course, we believe that the students should feel comfortable working with bees and be in a position to own their own colonies. For those who wish to continue learning. we run a Second Year Course throughout the summer. which was this year attended by 13 beekeepers. Modules Ifor written examinations) 32 beekeepers from various associations attend 4 sperate modules, covering Honey Bee Management, Products and Foraging, Behaviour and Selection & Breeding. PractTcal Courses 27 beekeepers attended practical courses on queen rearing and skep making. The Association continues to be indebted to the tutors and other volunteers who put in so much effort within their free time to make all the programme such a Success. Bee Experience Days Originally conceived as fundraisers, Bee Experience Days have now become part of the Association's ar¥nual calendar of activities. with three events scheduled for May and June. These are designed as an introduction to bees and beekeeping for the general public and have proved to be very popular. Attendees are introduced in a 'hand5 on manner, to the basics of beekeepinE through a short lecture, followed by a visit to the teaching apiary to open o hive and gain an understanding of how bees behave, collect pollen and nettar Ito produce 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. Lectures Over the winter months, the association has organised evening lectures on beekeeping related subjects. Public Interaction Shows In the past 12 month5, the association has participated in a number of local agricultural shows and community events. The largest of these, the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, included live bee observation hives. beeswax candle rolling, skep-m2kin8, 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. This year, member5 of Sherborne Beekeepers Association also participated, and provided one of the two live bee exhibit5. A very successful Honey Show wa5 also held in the marquee in association with the displays.
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Talks were given to several village gardening clubs and other community groups. A honey information display and sales point was mounted over two days at the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival in September. Rescue5 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's reputation for providing an efficient and friendly service ha5 grown, so too the number of requests for this public service has increased. General Information The local and free New Blackmore Vale Magazine is published in both paper and electronic form, and the association has provided regular arhcles on bee5 and beekeeping. Asian hornets, a massive threat to bees and all other pollin3ting insects, are now well established on Continental Europe and the Channel Isles and are attempting to establish themselves in the UK. Information displays have ljeen mounted to alert the public to this danger and to enlist their help in spotting these invaders. Our Asian Hornet Action Team has been ready to support DEFRA/National Bee Unit to check on reported sightings. All these activities are of direct benefit 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 existing apiary restricts the amount of teaching and familiarisation that can be undertaken. Trustees are delighted by the successful fundraising this year, and that the construction of the new apiary and Honey Bee Centre is now nearing completion We are extremely grateful for the huge number of hours volunteers have given to the charity in helping raise funds, assisting in training and at local shows and events as well as doing all the work required to keep the Association runninB . This is a massive achievement, and we hope members will take great pride from what has been done to date, and in the opportunities it create5 for the future. The annual report wa5 approved by the trustees of the charlty on Z¥ 2025 and signed on its behalf by= 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 account5 of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2025 which are set out on pages 8 to 14. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees you are 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 under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have folSowed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I conlirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: l. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act,. or 2. the accounts do not accord with those record5. 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.'13 October 2025
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 September 2025 2025 2024 Notes Oesignated General Designated General Income Grants. Donatrons and Legacies Investment Income Membership Income Training Income Fund raising and Beekeeping Activtti"es 111,275 66.288 5,261 5,788 9,853 2,433 5,824 10,408 6,219 6,139 Total Income 138,396 91,092 Expenditure Membership Costs Cost of Fundraising and Beekeeping Activities Cost5 directly attributable to Honey Bee Centre 4,120 4,123 7,886 7,437 2,467 Totsl Expenditure 2,467 12,006 11,560 Net Movement in Funds 12,4671 126,390 79,532 Reconciliation of Movement in Funds Total Funds Brought Forward Increase Idecreasel in Funds during Year Transfer 132,303 (2,4671 52,771 5,000 79,532 126,390 126,39) 1126,3901 79,532 {79,5321 Totsl Funds Carried Forward li 256.226 132.303 All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The notes form part of these financial ststements.
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 30 September 2025 2025 2024 Notes Fixed Assets 199,649 Current Assets Bank 66,723 139,409 Creditors.. Amounts falllng due within one year io 5,146 2,106 Net Current Assets 61,577 137,303 Net Assets 261,226 137.303 Funds of the Charrty Unrestricted- Gene1 Unrestricted- Designated s.(x)o 256,226 5,000 132,303 Total Funds li 261,226 137.303 The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees, and authorised for issue on 28 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Mr J Grazebiook Trustee The notes form part of these financial statements.
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Notes to the Financial Statements for Year ended 30 September 2025 l Accounting policies Statement of compliance The fi.nancial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporbng by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting 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 Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. Basls of preparatlon North Dorset Beekeepers Association meets the defFnition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unles5 otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. Going concern The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Income and endowments Income including membership, beekeeping activities, donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding are of a general nature and are recognised 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. Taxatlon The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph I Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or Eains 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 insignifi.cant risk of change in value. Fund structure 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 2025 2 Income from grants, donations and legacies Total 2025 Total 2024 Grants, Oonations and Legacies Grants and donations Legacies 101,275 10,000 66,288 121,275 66,288 Grants and donations include donations from general public and also income tax recovered from HMRC. 3 Investment Income Totsl 2025 Total 2024 Bank Interest 5,261 2,433 4 Income from activities for 8eneratlng funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Fund raising activities Sale of Produce 424 5,795 258 5,881 6,219 6,139
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Notes to the Financial Statements for Year ended 30 September 2025 5 Totsl Resources Expended Total 2025 Total 2024 General Funds Cost of Membership paid to National Associations and bee disease insurance Cost of apiary supplie5 Cost of products sold Venue Hire for lectures and tuition Cost of Events Consultancy and Other Training Insurance General 4,120 4,123 382 1.629 1,182 1.050 2,426 S38 679 827 2,270 990 473 2,197 680 Total Generdl Resources Expended 12,006 11,560 Designated Funds Costs attributable to Honey Bee Centre and new Apiary 2,467 Totsl Designated Funds Expended 2.467 Totsl Funds Expended 14,473 11,560 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. Trustee5 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 charitv. 7 Taxation The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
North Dorset Beekeepers Association Notes to the Financial Statements for Year ended 30 September 2025 8 Fixed Assets Assets under tonstruction Cost As at l October 2024 Additions As at 30 September 2025 199,649 199,649 9 Bank 2025 2024 Lloyds Bank Current Lloyd5 Bank- Instant Access Interest Bearing COIF Charities Deposit Fund 5,430 2,770 58,523 482 24,544 114,383 66,723 139,409 10 Creditors: amounts falling due in one year 2025 2024 Amounts received from members and due to the regional and national beekeeping associations and for bee disease insurance Deposits received for bee suits used by members Accruals 1,466 450 3,230 1,256 250 600 5,146 2,106 Page | 13
North Dorset Beekeepers Association 11 Funds Balance at l October 2024 Resource5 Expended Transfer 30 September 2025 General Designated 138.396 12,(M)6 2,467 1126,3901 126,390 132,303 256,226 137.303 138.3% 14,473 261.226 12 Capltal Commitments A commitment had been made beforE the year end for ¥Tk on the final Phase 3 construction ofthe Honey Bee Centre in Shillingstone, Dorset. Orders had been placed for £133,763 to cover the final phase of the construction project, which involved roofing* cladding, fitting out. electrics and plumbing of which work to the value of £20,195 remains outstanding at the year end. Further capital and revenue costs to the value of approximately £46.LIXI have been identTfied which are required to complete the fttttng out of the Honey Bee Centre and finalising the apiary site- this includes landscaping and the provision of dirty storage for the association's equipment. 114