**STRATFORD-on-AVON BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION**
## **Trustees Annual Report for the year ending 30 September 2025**
## **Reference and Administraton:**
## **Registered Charity No: 1209137**
## **Affiliated to the British Beekeepers Association**
## **Trustees:**
B. Donley - Chair R. Richardson – Secretary A. Seymour – Treasurer T. Hitchman J. Hudson – from 17 February 2025 C. Lea – from 21 January 2025 C. Ricketts
## **Principal Address:**
Larkshill Spernal Lane Great Alne Alcester Warwickshire B49 6HZ
## **Structure, Governance and Management:**
Stratford-on-Avon Beekeepers’ Association (SBKA) was approved as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation by the Charity Commission on 16 July 2024. It is governed by its Constitution as accepted by The Charity Commission. The Association has been in existence since 1936 and is affiliated to the British Beekeepers Association.
Serving Trustees to 30 September 2025 are as listed above. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Governing Document.
## **Objectives and Activities:**
The objectives of the Association are as set out in the governing document _: ‘to promote and further the craft of beekeeping and to advance the education of the public in the importance of bees in the environment’_ . In carrying out the charity’s objects, the Trustees confirm they have referred to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Activities are undertaken to educate and encourage new and existing beekeepers in the craft, as well as attending public events forming an important part of promoting bees and beekeeping generally. These activities inform the wider public of the importance of bees to the environment. Honey bees are important pollinators which are crucial for a healthy ecosystem, supporting both the agricultural industry, wild plants and flowers.
**STRATFORD-on-AVON BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION**
## **Trustees Annual Report for the year ending 30 September 2025**
## **Achievements and Performance:**
The principal activities during this year have been:
- Holding a Beekeeping Taster Day for 20+ members of the public who were interested in bees and/or beekeeping but not sure what is involved.
- Running a successful Introduction to Beekeeping Course for 20+ members of the public, consisting of a series of indoor theory sessions plus practical sessions at the new training apiary, with follow-up mentoring.
- Development of a new website showcasing the association and its aims to members and the wider public.
- The provision of a free Swarm Collection Service to collect reported swarms encouraging the members of the public to conserve bees, and for the bees’ welfare.
- The setting up of a new Training Apiary with the help of member volunteers. It is planned our existing apiary will become a designated Breeding/Queen Rearing Apiary.
## **Education:**
- Continued practical training sessions for all member levels at both apiaries during the summer.
- Practical working parties for all members at both apiaries concentrating on the care and correct cleaning of equipment (preventing disease), together with apiary maintenance.
- Autumn practical apiary meeting _‘Putting the Bees to Bed for Winter’_
- Members winter meetings consisted of both face-to-face and zoom educational presentations including the National Honey Monitoring Scheme, Bigger Better Queens, and Making Mead.
- At no cost to ourselves, in February the association was privileged to host an all-day BIBBA (Bee Improvement and Bee Breeding Association) event at Ettington Community Centre, titled _Varroa Resistance through Bee Improvement._ An educational day with several internationally known speakers, attended by 180 cross-generation beekeepers from all over the country.
## **Public Events:**
- With the help of member volunteers, the association raised awareness of honey bees and their importance by manning displays at local events, including the larger Forest of Arden Ploughing Match, with 1000+ attendance. Individual members gave talks to schools and/or local groups.
- Information was promoted at these events about the threat of the Yellow Legged Hornet following increased incursions in the south-east of the country.
## **Trustees Meetings:**
- Trustees agreed their meetings be held quarterly or as deemed necessary, with SubCommittee meetings held every 6-8 weeks. All held via zoom.
## **Honey Show:**
- We ran a successful Honey Show where members were encouraged to showcase their honey and hive produce. Open judging is favoured as the show then becomes informative for both new and more experienced beekeepers about the preparation of their products. Potential beekeepers and members of the public were welcomed.
**STRATFORD-on-AVON BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION**
## **Trustees Annual Report for the year ending 30 September 2025**
## **Yellow Legged Hornet (YLH)** _**(also known as the Asian Hornet)**_
- Meetings of the Yellow Legged Hornet Team (YLHT) were held quarterly. With a large increase in YLH incursions last year, the association’s YLHT volunteers set and monitored bait traps in the spring as a practice exercise, with no sightings. As of 25 September 2025, the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) National Bee Unit (NBU) confirmed there has been a total of 476 sightings of the YLH this year with 129 nests confirmed, mainly but not solely in the south east of the country. It is paramount beekeepers and the general public realise the importance of reporting sightings of the YLH. This was promoted to members and at all public events attended. Our YLHT Team anticipates being called upon to support the National Bee Unit in the event of local incursions.
## **Subscriptions:**
- At a previous Special General Meeting, members voted for an increase in 2024/2025 subscription rates. Annual subscriptions had not been raised for some time, even though running costs were constantly rising. With the expected arrival of the Yellow Legged Hornet, it is anticipated, costs towards basic and track/trace equipment, PPE etc will be incurred.
- BBKA Capitation = £21
- SBKA Capitation = £7 Bee Disease Insurance = £2 Full Member = £30
- Partner, Country, Junior and Local members benefitted from lower subscription rates pro rata.
- Full voting rights are awarded to all member categories, except Local and Associate members.
- All member categories receive an informative monthly association newsletter.
## **Financial Review:**
- A Reserves Policy is not currently in place. During the year, income of £10476 was received with a total expenditure of £10519. Income received was mainly from membership subscriptions, Taster Day & Introduction Course fees, plus donations.
## **Correspondence:**
All correspondence should be addressed to the Honorary Secretary at the Principal Address on page1.
## **Approval:**
Approved by the Trustees on 10 July 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
## B Donley
## T. P. Hitchman
**Brian Donley**
**Terry Hitchman**
**Chair**
**Trustee**
**STRATFORD-on-AVON BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION**
## **Trustees Annual Report for the year ending 30 September 2025**
## **Stratford-on-Avon Beekeepers' Association**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS**
## **For the period 16 July 2024 to 30 September 2025**
|**RECEIPTS**
Members' subscriptions
Donations
Course fees
Apiary sales
Honey sales
BDI received from members
Gift Aid claim
Fondant sales
Foundation sales
Misc unallocated income
**Total Receipts**
**PAYMENTS**
Room hire
Speakers
Meetings costs
Miscellaneous
Course expenses
Honey Show
Office type & catering expenses
BBKA Capitation
BDI Insurance
Fondant cost
Beecraft costs
Insurance-trophies & equipment
Hampton Wood costs
Folly Fields costs
Purchase of fixed assets Lawn mower
**Total Payments**
Net Receipts
Net payments
Cash funds last year end at bank
**Cash funds this year end**|Unrestricted
funds to the
nearest
£
2,719
66
2,380
150
1,496
367
651
2,607
25
15
10,476
253
265
0
130
769
249
1,203
2,345
378
1,344
0
612
374
2,325
272
10,519
-43
**14,789** This year end
14,789 Cash at bank|Last year
to the
nearest
£
2,840
109
1,162
300
490
380
651
1,335
0
198
7,465
294
395
370
596
226
216
2,631
378
1,395
0
331
352
801
0
7,985
This bit is this years checking
10,476.35 receipts
10,518.41 payments
14775
-42.06 Net income
**14,775** Bal 16 July 24
**14,774.78** Last year end
14732.72 Bank should be
14788.74 Actual
-56.02 variance|
|---|---|---|
**STRATFORD-on-AVON BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION**
## **Trustees Annual Report for the year ending 30 September 2025**
## **Stratford-on-Avon Beekeepers'Association**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025**
## **Notes**
|**CASH FUNDS**
Lloyds TSB Bank plc
Cash in hand
**OTHER MONETARY ASSETS**
**ASSETS RETAINED FOR THE CHARITIES OWN USE**
**Stock in trade**
Stock of honey
5 Polynuc boxes
**Sub Total**
Assets as per list
**TOTAL**
**LIABILITIES**
Membership subscriptions in advance
Expenses not submitted until after the year end
**Signed on behalf of the Trustees by:**
**Terry Hitchman**
**12-Jun-26**
**Independent Examiner's Statement**
My examination has been carried out in accordance with the Charity Commissio
The procedures undertaken included reviewing accounting records kept by the
Comparing the accounts presented with those records. The examination also inc
The procedures undertaken do not provide the same level of assurance as an au
During my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me rea
1. accounting records have not been kept in accordance with sect
2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements
Without qualifying my report, I draw attention to the following observations ari
stock control - The Charity holds stock relating to 2 apiaries, a co
and recorded stock reconciliations were incomplete. As a result, s
Records of stock movement, Supporting documentation for stock
transparency, accountability and the accuracy of the financial rep
I have discussed these matters with the trustees and understand that improvem
**Signed**
**_S.Calladine_**
**Name**
**Sarah Calladine ACCA (membership number 1946626)**
**Independent examiner**
**Address**
**8 Crompton Avenue, Bidford on Avon, B50 4DG**
**Date**
**14/04/2026**
T. P. Hitchman
Trustee|**Last year**
1. There are no restricted funds
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds to the funds to the
2. Calculations this yesr
nearest
nearest
Opening balance bank
14,774
£
£
Income
3,152
14,789
Misc income
7324
-
Expenditure
10518
14,789
Net income
-42
Calculated balance at bank
14733
Actual Balance at bank
14789
Variance
-56
Current
value
£
155
**155**
29,924
**30,079**
Amount
Due
£
0
0
**Ruth Richardson**
**12-Jun-26**
n's guidance and Directions given under section 145(5)(b) of the act.
charity for year ending 30th September 2025
luded consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and explanations obtained from the trustee
dit and no opinion is given as to weather the accounts present a 'true and fair view'
sonable cause to believe that in any material respect,
ion 130 of the charities Act 2011; or
of the Act.
sing from my examination
mpleted and documented physical stock take was not carried out at the year end,
tock valuation relied on 2023 documentation.
movements was incomplete. Strengthening controls in this area would improve
orting in future years
ents to stock recording and end of year stock take procedures are planned for the forthcoming financial year.
Ruth Richardson
Trustee|
|---|---|