Charity No. 1197656
THE WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 30[th] NOVEMBER 2024
THE WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30[th] NOVEMBER 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Charity Number: 1197656 Trustees: Mr M West - President Mr J Patel - Chair Ms J Nimmo – Honorary Secretary Mrs J Brown – Honorary Treasurer Mr P Barclay Mr B Brown Mr C Cox Mr R Evans – until 1[st] January 2024 Mr J Fell Mr D Freeman – until 5[th] September 2024 Mrs D Grove Mr N Hateley Rev G Heighton – from 13[th] March 2024 Mr R Pearce Miss S Peckett Mr R Stephenson Ms A Stern – from 18[th] February 2024 Mr M Styles Mr C White Mr M Wibberley Mrs J Willetts Principal address: Honorary Secretary 88, Northfield Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham B30 1 JG
Independent David W Cox FCMA, CGMA Examiner: Chartered Management Accountant Hill View 6, Manor Fields, Bishampton, Worcs WR10 2PF
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THE WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30[th] NOVEMBER 2024
Structure, Governance and Management.
The Warwickshire Beekeepers’ Association (the WBKA or the Association) was approved by the Charity Commission on 25[th] January 2022 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). It is governed by its Constitution as accepted by the Charity Commission. The Association has been in existence since 1879.
The Association is affiliated to The British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA). The WBKA has a core function and eight branches governed by rules set out in Part 2 of its Constitution. The accounting period ends on 30[th] November each year.
Trustees.
The trustees serving throughout the year are shown on page 1.
The trustees include the Chair, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Secretary, the President, and at least one and up to two elected trustees from each branch. Appointments are made in accordance with the governing document.
Objects and Activities for the Public Benefit.
The objects of the charity, as set out in its governing document, are: -
“to advance the education of the public and beekeepers in the craft of beekeeping and promote the importance of bees in the environment.”
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the general guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in carrying out the charity’s objects.
Achievements and Performance and Financial Review.
Membership
There were 908 full, partner and junior members in 2023/24, as well as 111 local members (local members do not have voting rights).
Education
Branches provided introductory courses to train new beekeepers who were then given help and guidance at a local level.
In addition to these training activities the Association organised courses covering Swarm Control and Queen Rearing. Also, a BBKA Module 1 County-wide study group was run with participants taking their exams in November 2024, and a Microscopy Group ran throughout the year with a series of face to face and on-line meetings.
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THE WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30[th] NOVEMBER 2024
Members enjoyed a winter programme of lectures via webinars covering honey bee nutrition by Peter Sutcliffe, the perilous life of drones by Dr Alison McAfee, and queen rearing on a small scale by Lynfa Davies.
The focus of the education programme is to encourage members to study, with many then choosing to complete the BBKA exams and assessments. 2024 was a successful year with many members passing their assessments and exams. Of particular note are the three members who passed their General Husbandry qualifications (Graham Franklin, Paul Friend and Sheldon Steele). Paul and Graham have also trained to become BBKA Basic Assessors and Jane Nimmo completed the training to be a BBKA Honey Bee Health Assessor and passed the BBKA’s Advanced Theory Certificate.
Below is a summary table of the exam and assessments for the current year, although the results of the module exams in November 2024 are not yet available. All our branches have had exam successes, and our thanks goes to our excellent team of Education Coordinators and our exam secretary Jane Medwell.
Table 1: Exams and qualifications up to November 2024
| Qualifications | Number of members |
|---|---|
| BBKA Basic Assessment | 30 |
| Honeybee Health | 8 |
| General Husbandry | 3 |
| BBKA Module 1 | 6 |
| BBKA Module 7 | 1 |
| BBKA Module 8 | 1 |
| Advanced Theory Certificate | 1 |
And the table below reports on the qualifications achieved in November 2023 as the results are not available for several months and so were not covered in the previous Trustees’ Report.
Table 2: Exams and qualifications achieved November 2024
| Qualifications | Number of members |
|---|---|
| BBKA Module 1 | 1 |
| BBKA Module 2 | 1 |
| BBKA Module 3 | 2 |
| BBKA Module 6 | 1 |
| Intermediate Theory Certificate | 1 |
| Microscopy Certificate | 1 |
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THE WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30[th] NOVEMBER 2024
Public Events.
Branches raised awareness of honeybees and their importance by manning displays at fairs and fetes. In addition to smaller local events, members gave talks to a variety of groups. There was an increased focus on raising awareness about the threat of the yellow-legged hornet (YLH). Below is a selection of some of the bigger events attended and/or organised.
Table 3: Selection of large public events and shows for raising awareness of honey bees and the YLH
| Event | Number of visitors |
Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Compton Verney Bee Wild Weekend | 1000+ | Observation hive, live bee demo, information stand |
| Ecofest at Leamington Spa | 1000+ | Observation hive, live bee demo, information stand |
| Sandwell Shape Festival | 3000+ | Stand,observation hive,info on YLH |
| Warwickshire’s Finest Show | 1000+ | Observation hive, live bee demo, information stand |
Trustees’ Meetings
Some of the habits adopted during the pandemic proved beneficial, so Trustees’ meetings (and the AGM) continued to be held via Zoom.
A Trustee training day was held on 24[th] February 2024 to look at strategic planning with inputs from West Midlands Police on cyber security.
Honey Shows.
Four branches held honey shows, with the largest held by Birmingham Branch in early September at Winterbourne House and Gardens in Edgbaston. This show was held over two days and included observation hives and live bee demonstrations. It took over 50 volunteers to organise and was attended by over 3,500 visitors.
The Association’s Honey show held at Kings Hill Nursery on Saturday 28th September was a resounding success. Enthusiastic beekeepers showcased their finest honey, wax products, and delicious bakes. The open novice judging was once again an informative way to teach beekeepers novice and experienced, about expert preparation of honey and beeswax.
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THE WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30[th] NOVEMBER 2024
Yellow Legged Hornet.
In response to the unexpectedly large number of incursions by Yellow Legged Hornets (YLH), also known as the Asian Hornet in 2023, and to the concern that it could spread from the South-East as far as Warwickshire in 2024, the Association’s Asian Hornet Action Team embarked on an awareness campaign of the threat posed by this insect. This was achieved by presentations at each branch to bring members up to speed and by talks to various public organisations to recruit their help in spotting any incursions. These included the identification of the YLH and the reporting of any sightings. For beekeepers, the trapping methods and protective measures that can be taken were demonstrated using equipment purchased from funds provided by the Association. Each branch has been issued with traps to be deployed in response to any sightings. Advantage was taken of Public Shows and other events to spread the word. In the event, the feared spread of the YLH did not materialise in 2024, but the AHAT remain prepared to react should needs must in 2025.
Subscriptions.
The breakdown of subscriptions for a full registered member for 2024 is shown below:
BBKA Capitation £21.00 WBKA Capitation £5.50 Bee Disease Insurance £2.00
So, a full registered member paid a total subscription of £28.50 plus branch subscriptions that ranged from £4.00 to £14.50. Partner, Junior and Local Members benefitted from lower subscriptions.
Reserves.
The Association reserves policy is as follows: -
-
To provide working capital to cover the administration and running of the charity for a period of up to two years and to ensure that the charity can continue and provide support to members and meet its objectives in the event of a large variation of income e.g., a dramatic fall in membership.
-
To replace capital equipment.
-
To cover specific projects or acquisitions.
Each branch determines its own application of the Association reserves policy taking into account the particular circumstances of the branch.
The table below shows the reserves for the core and for each branch at 30[th] November 2024. The reserves policy was reviewed in 2023/24 and will change slightly in 2024/5.
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THE WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30[th] NOVEMBER 2024
Reserves at 30th November 2024
| Core Birmingham Coventry Nuneaton Rugby Shipston Solihull Sutton WLBK Total |
Working Capital £10,700 £1,500 £1,650 £700 £1,750 £3,000 £1,800 £5,000 £12,000 £38,100 |
Reserves Capital Replacement £2,000 £500 £2,000 £1,000 £10,000 £15,500 |
Specific projects £10,000 £10,000 £1,000 £12,568 £33,568 |
Total £10,700 £11,500 £13,650 £1,200 £1,750 £5,000 £3,800 £5,000 £34,568 £87,168 |
Free Reserves £15,278 £10,707 £6,960 £3,507 £5,552 £6,532 £2,030 £16,850 £0 £67,416 |
Cash Balances £25,978 £22,207 £20,610 £4,707 £7,302 £11,532 £5,830 £21,850 £34,568 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £154,584 |
Correspondence.
All correspondence should be addressed to the Honorary Secretary at the address on page 1.
Approval.
Approved by the Trustees on 26th March 2025, and signed on their behalf by: -
Mr CJ Cox Chair
Mrs J Brown Treasurer
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THE WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30[th] NOVEMBER 2024
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION (‘the CIO’)
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Warwickshire Beekeepers’ Association (the CIO) for the year ended 30[th] November 2024, which are set out on pages 9 to 12.
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the CIO, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in respect of the CIO as required by section 130 of the Act;
or
- 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.
David W Cox FCMA, CGMA Chartered Management Accountant Hill View 6, Manor Fields Bishampton Worcs WR10 2PF Date: 01st April 2025
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THE WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30[th] NOVEMBER 2024
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
30[th] NOVEMBER 2024
| Total Cash Funds Memorandum List Land and Buildings Fixtures and Fittings Furniture and Equipment Stock Trophies Other Total Assets Liabilities Course fees Total Liabilities |
Unrestricted £25,978 £0 £0 £2,603 £0 £15,000 £0 £17,603 £43,581 £0 £0 |
Designated to branches £128,606 £29,384 £17,761 £26,631 £8,584 £7,539 £480 £90,379 £218,985 -£1,095 -£1,095 |
Total 2023/24 £154,584 £29,384 £17,761 £29,234 £8,584 £22,539 £480 £107,982 £262,566 -£1,095 -£1,095 |
Total 2022/23 £153,343 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £30,503 £18,371 £29,682 £6,174 £22,743 £600 |
|||||
| £108,073 | |||||
| £261,416 | |||||
| -£1,655 | |||||
| -£1,655 |
Note:
The Association also has 333 fully paid £1 shares in BeeCraft Limited. The Company is a 'not for profit ' organisation and its shares are neither income producing nor tradeable.
The Trustees confirm that there are no potential liabilities under any guarantees given by the CIO, or any outstanding debts secured by express charge on the assets of the CIO as at 30[th] November 2024.
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THE WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30[th] NOVEMBER 2024
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
RECEIPTS
| Unrestricted Unrestricted but Designated to Branches 1) Voluntary Sources BBKA Subscription £0 £18,365 WBKA Subscription £4,677 £70 Branch Subscriptions £0 £8,248 BDI Premiums Members £0 £3,532 Gift Aid tax refund £0 £5,980 Donations £0 £1,520 Grants £0 £0 £4,677 £37,715 2) Trading Activities - Primary and Ancillary Trading (Tax Exempt) Course Fees £1,044 £10,952 Events (including honey sales, candle sales, demos and displays) £0 £12,324 Hire of apiary sites and equipment to members £0 £471 BeeCraft Magazine Subscriptions £0 £0 Sales to further members' craft of beekeeping £0 £31,022 Advertising income £298 £0 Refreshments (sales) £0 £63 Miscellaneous £0 £1,608 £1,342 £56,440 3) Income from Assets Bank and building society Interest £313 £1,461 Sale of assets £0 £158 £313 £1,619 4) Miscellaneous Fundraising Events £0 £781 Miscellaneous £0 £339 £0 £1,120 Total Receipts £6,332 £96,894 |
Total 2023/24 £18,365 £4,747 £8,248 £3,532 £5,980 £1,520 £0 £42,392 £11,996 £12,324 £471 £0 £31,022 £298 £63 £1,608 £57,782 £1,774 £158 £1,932 £781 £339 £1,120 £103,226 |
Total 2022/23 £18,653 £4,829 £8,485 £3,434 £6,090 £1,689 £0 |
|---|---|---|
| £43,180 | ||
| £14,769 £12,549 £376 £753 £30,552 £460 £605 £3,029 |
||
| £63,093 | ||
| £912 £0 |
||
| £912 | ||
| £502 £514 |
||
| £1,016 | ||
| £108,201 |
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THE WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30[th] NOVEMBER 2024
PAYMENTS
| 5) Direct Charitable expenditure Members' Capitation Fees - BBKA Members' Capitation Fees - WBKA BDI Premiums: Members only BDI Premiums: Branch Training Apiary Hire of rooms for meetings Speakers/lecturers fees Training Apiary Expenses Extraction Unit Expenses Honey show expenses Training Course Expenses Training Consumables Demonstrations and displays costs Insurance Other educational expenses 6) Other expenditure BeeCraft magazine subscriptions Purchases of stock to further members' craft of beekeeping 7) Miscellaneous Payments Gifts Bank Charges Refreshments Telephone, postage, stationery Website costs Digital subscriptions Professional fees Honoraria and Officers Expenses Miscellaneous 8) Fixed Assets (Purchases) Training Equipment Show Equipment Honey Extraction Equipment Training Apiary Equipment Library Total Payments |
£0 £0 £0 £0 £280 £223 £0 £0 £1,207 £1,022 £1,041 £0 £176 £0 £3,949 £0 £0 £0 £225 £0 £0 £0 £43 £469 £0 £350 £0 £1,087 £1,471 £0 £0 £0 £0 £1,471 £6,507 |
£18,312 -£6 £3,560 £47 £3,129 £2,317 £8,610 £1,437 £2,682 £4,637 £98 £1,798 £1,673 £1,070 £49,364 £0 £31,391 £31,391 £489 £394 £1,281 £169 £1,872 £458 £200 £1,218 £4,771 £10,852 £657 £478 £539 £2,105 £92 £3,871 £95,478 |
£18,312 -£6 £3,560 £47 £3,409 £2,540 £8,610 £1,437 £3,889 £5,659 £1,139 £1,798 £1,849 £1,070 £53,313 £0 £31,391 £31,391 £714 £394 £1,281 £169 £1,915 £927 £200 £1,568 £4,771 £11,939 £2,128 £478 £539 £2,105 £92 £5,342 £101,985 |
£18,885 -£6 £3,447 £57 £1,876 £1,848 £8,199 £994 £4,875 £4,658 £72 £2,989 £1,503 £425 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £49,822 | ||||
| £743 £29,060 |
||||
| £29,803 | ||||
| £1,056 £389 £899 £537 £1,320 £1,214 £200 £877 £2,785 |
||||
| £9,277 | ||||
| £2,204 £3,781 £0 £3,291 £221 |
||||
| £9,497 | ||||
| £98,399 |
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THE WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30[th] NOVEMBER 2024
| Total Receipts less Total Payments Transfers between funds Balance brought forward Cash Funds at year end |
Unrestricted -£175 -£50 £26,203 £25,978 |
Unrestricted but Designated to Branches £1,416 £50 £127,140 £128,606 |
Total 2023/24 £1,241 £0 £153,343 £154,584 |
Total 2022/23 £9,802 £0 £143,541 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £153,343 |
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