Somerset Beekeepers’ Association (CIO charity no. 1206483)
28/07/2025
SBKA CIO
Report and Accounts of the Trustees for the Year ended 30 September 2024 (CIO charity no. 1206483)
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Somerset Beekeepers’ Association (CIO charity no. 1206483)
28/07/2025
Somerset Beekeepers Association
Trustees Report for the Year ended 30 September 2024
The Trustees present their Report for the year from 10 January 2024 to 30 September 2024 for the CIO charity no. 1206483.
1. Reference and administrative information
Somerset Beekeepers Association (SBKA) has been in existence since 1906. During the reporting period it made the change from being a registered charity (no.277803) to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with effect from 10 January 2024 (CIO no. 1206483). The new CIO charity is taking over the assets and liabilities of the old charity in stages such that the effective date of transfer was 1 October 2024. Thus, for the reporting period, all financial activities remained with the old registered charity (no. 277803). The new CIO charity (no.1206483) accordingly is filing nil accounts.
The SBKA CIO has 16 Trustees, 4 being Ex-officio comprising the Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary and 12 being nominated by the 12 Branches of the CIO. The Trustees during the year ended 30 September 2024 were as follows:
Ex-officio Trustees Simon Mills Chairman (appointed 10 January 2024) Vanessa Woodford Vice-chairman (appointed 10 January 2024) Peter Derbyshire Treasurer (appointed 10 January 2024, resigned June 2024) Richard Edbrook Treasurer (appointed June 2024, resigned May 2025) Maggie Norris Secretary (appointed 10 January 2024, resigned June 2024) Candy Worf Secretary (appointed June 2024, resigned March 2025)
Branch Trustees Richard Tiley nominated by Burnham and District Lynne Thorne nominated by Central Neil Wellum nominated by Exmoor John Plaxton nominated by Frome and District Frederick Chaytors nominated by Mendip Barry Hulatt nominated by Quantock Suzy Perkins nominated by Somerton and District Jane Jeanes nominated by South-east Philip Burton nominated by South-west Andy Glendinning nominated by Taunton and District (stood down 16 March 2024) Paul James nominated by Taunton and District (appointed circa Apr. 2024) Nicola Grass nominated by Wedmore and Cheddar Andy Dobson nominated by Yeovil and District
The Branch nominated Trustees were appointed by the Ex-officio Trustees on 15[th] February 2024.
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Somerset Beekeepers’ Association (CIO charity no. 1206483)
28/07/2025
2. Structure, governance and management
The responsibilities of the Trustees are set out in the SBKA Operation Guide and Handbook. The Trustees meet regularly and manage the day to day and seasonal requirements of the CIO and ensure it is furthering the purpose of the charity for the benefit of beekeepers and the public. That purpose is “ to advance the education of the public and beekeepers in the craft of beekeeping and to promote the importance of bees in the environment ”.
The SBKA is organised for administrative purposes into Branches as follows: Burnham and District, Central, Exmoor, Frome and District, Mendip, Quantock, Somerton and District, South-eastern, Southwestern, Taunton and District, Wedmore and Cheddar, Yeovil and District. These may be added to or modified at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.
3. Overview of the year’s activities
3.1 Membership
At the time of reporting, current membership stands at 1,075. This includes voting and non-voting members. Registered, partner and country members have voting rights. The other member categories do not. Two SBKA Honorary members, who are not members of the BBKA, are also entitled to vote. Based on the 2025 Spring Return, the voting membership is distributed across the Branches as follows:
| Branch | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Burnham and District | 36 | 45 |
| Central | 36 | 38 |
| Exmoor | 68 | 70 |
| Frome and district | 68 | 69 |
| Mendip | 40 | 37 |
| Quantock | 66 | 66 |
| Somerton and District | 154 | 162 |
| South-eastern | 65 | 64 |
| South-western | 26 | 34 |
| Taunton and District | 157 | 156 |
| Wedmore and Cheddar | 32 | 35 |
| Yeovil and District | 73 | 83 |
| Totals | 821 | 859 |
3.2 Financial review
The CIO inherited assets totalling £212,126 in cash on 1 October 2024. This excludes other assets such as land and apiaries. The full accounts inherited are reported within charity no. 277803
3.3 Activities
The SBKA has been active both centrally and throughout its 12 local branches. The Annual Lecture Day took place in February and was well attended. Online study groups for BBKA modules continue to be provided. The SBKA worked on producing its own Safeguarding policy, drawing heavily on the
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Somerset Beekeepers’ Association (CIO charity no. 1206483)
28/07/2025
BBKA’s own policy and this is now a live policy at the time of writing this report. There have been fewer general online lectures as resources have been prioritised to other areas. Online lectures remained free, however, and were generally available throughout the UK and abroad having regard to the public benefit regulations.
Considerable emphasis has been placed on raising the SBKA’s preparedness to respond effectively in the event that Asian hornet arrives in the county. All Branches have Asian hornet action teams (AHATs). Under the guidance of our Asian hornet co-ordinator, a training day was held for AHAT members. Advisory leaflets and other literature were obtained and have been widely circulated in cafés, shops, etc to raise public awareness. The public has also been notified through various Branch events across the county. Equipment, in the form of traps, bait and open bait stations to monitor for the presence of Asian hornet, was procured and members set up monitoring stations widely across the county.
SBKA’s 12 Branches have been very active during the year. Branches ran a total of 10 introduction to beekeeping courses for beginners, training some 205 people, of whom 45 have gone on to keep bees. Branches also ran Honey Shows which are open to the public. As well as selling honey and beeswax products, these shows provide an opportunity to inform the public about bees and beekeeping and there are judged competitions in relation to honey, beeswax and other related products. Numerous town and village shows and fairs were attended across the county, including the Royal Bath and West Show, Taunton Flower Show, Dunster Show, Frome Show, and many more. At the Royal Bath and West Show, one of our members was successful in gaining first prize in the honey show area.
A number of members have been successful in obtaining British Beekeepers Association qualifications this year. 14 members passed the basic assessment practical exam. 7 members passed BBKA theory modules. 3 members went on to achieve their advanced theory certificates and one member obtained the intermediate certificate.
The branches also undertook a large number of social activities for members, including apiary visits, educational lectures, bee teas, etc. All such events provide an opportunity to talk about beekeeping and promote the craft.
3.5 Future activities
The standard range of activities will continue in 2025. Asian hornet response preparedness will continue to be a high priority, in keeping with national activity across the country.
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by
Simon Mills
Simon Mills – Chair Somerset Beekeepers’ Association
28 July 2025
Nil return accounts – see report and accounts submitted for registered charity number 277803 for the period 1/10/23 to 30/9/24
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Somerset Beekeepers’ Association (CIO charity no. 1206483)
28/07/2025
Contact information
Chairman Simon Mills Treasurer Lance Moir
chair@somersetbeekeepers.org.uk treasurer@somersetbeekeepers.org.uk
Website:
https://www.somersetbeekeepers.org.uk
Charity Registered address :
c/o Secretary 16, Millands Lane Kilve Bridgwater Somerest TA5 1ED
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