# **Devon Beekeepers Association. Registered Charity No 270675** General Secretary Judith Norman Email: gensec@devonbeekeepers.org.uk ## **General Secretary's Annual Report 2025 on behalf of the Executive Council** 1) **Executive Council Meetings:** five meetings have been held over the course of 2025. ## 2) **Annual Delegates’ Meeting:** This is an annual on line meeting organised by BBKA with a representative from every Association. ## **In January 2025, several propositions were approved:** - Increased annual fee - Policies to be printed more transparently - Exemption from sections of the full General Husbandry assessment for those who have already completed assessments in diseases and breeding. - An improvement for the voting mechanism for trustees to prevent an unsuitable candidate from being appointed simply because a - vacancy would otherwise be unfilled. - The name of the Executive Council to be changed to Board of Trustees to clarify accountability - An investigation into the practicalities of external examination accreditation. - Phase 2 funding of honey testing to curb sales of adulterated honey. **(** Follow up from last ADM - there has since been a change in BBKA’s approach to the problem of adulterated honey being sold in the UK: they will be promoting locally produced honey rather than confronting the problem of adulterated honey directly, to avoid BBKA being associated in the public mind with “adulteration”. A more direct approach will be taken by a group of stakeholders, the Honey Authenticity Network, who are in the process of registering as a charitable organisation.) This year, Simon O’Sullivan is our representative at the meeting on 10th January 2026. We have agreed to the voting for all three awards, all five trustees and two members of the examinations board since all proposed candidates are known to have produced good work for the BBKA. ## **ADM 2026 propositions - all approved by the EC:** P1) Increase in capitation fee: BBKA do have significant investments but it would not be sensible to rely upon those alone for income. Our Devon Treasurer advises that this is a reasonable request for fees. The central office is not overstaffed. All appear to be working hard. P2) Improved material for the learning platform about officers’ posts. New officers would benefit from advice about how to proceed. P3) Guidance for YLA Hornet coordinators. This is already in progress. P4) Monthly on line meeting for YLAH coordinators to update and exchange views. P5) BBKA to continue as an association of associations: this proposal may have risen due to a misunderstanding. BBKA do not plan to alter the present structure. ## 3) **Education:** We are grateful to Kathy Lovegrove, our association education officer, and the branch education coordinators, who work hard to keep us all informed of better ways to care for our bees. You will receive a separate written education report. ## 4) **Yellow Legged Asian Hornet:** There is a real possibility that 2026 could be the year when we see a significant influx of the invasive hornet into Devon. We all need to be making sure that anyone we know who ventures outdoors knows how to tell the difference between our native hornet and an invader, so that sightings can be reported accurately. Every branch has a YLAH coordinator who can help in cases of uncertainty, and give you a supply of ID leaflets. Expenses - since our only incursions in Devon so far have been sporadic, we are well under budget for YLAH expenditure; Trappit has been the main cost, held in reserve by each branch in case of unsubstantiated reports needing to be verified by the use of monitoring with bait. A South West conference on the YLAH has been scheduled by the SW Beekeepers’ Forum, to take place on 24th January at Bridgwater in Somerset. ## 5) **Devon County Show:** We had a much better show this year with a more prominent marquee, and made a good surplus of £4000. Our long standing show coordinator, Liz Westcott, is standing down, and the committee will now be chaired by Tammy Skinner of the South Hams branch. ## 6) **President’s Day:** As usual this was a fascinating day, with three main speakers: - Professor Robert Pickard on bee brains, and other bee wonders, - Steve Riley on monitoring for varroa resistant traits - Alex Paines on gardening for wildlife. ## 7) **150 year celebration:** Elegant badges with our DBKA logo were given free of charge to DBKA members. ## 8) **“Beekeeping”- the Devon magazine:** As ever we are hugely grateful to Robert Blackmore for editing “Beekeeping”, our Devon magazine. He welcomes contributions - for example, even descriptions of branch activities may inspire other branches to try similar events. This year Robert has been helped on the admin side by Michaela Eckenberger of the Newton Abbot branch, to manage invoicing of advertisers, getting diary dates from branches, and uploading the digital version on to the website. ## 9) **DBKA website:** To make our website more user friendly, an upgrade is under way. We hope to be announcing the completion soon! ## 10) **eR2:** This is the “e” Return 2 database hosted by BBKA, which Devon officers use to send emails to the membership and keep records. See ADM proposal No 2 - guidance on this will be most welcome! BBKA has sought views on admin being centralised. A forum will be arranged to provide appropriate support to officers. ## 11) **Allergy research "Beekeeper Tolerance study" University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust:** DBKA has agreed to fund up to £3 500 for consumables used in testing beekeepers, as part of a project designed to help clarify why some beekeepers develop life threatening allergic responses and others don’t. LIRIGHT OAK Al-.I-.C)UNTI￿c Independent Examiners ReporttD theTnLsiees of DevoD BeekeepeTsA55wation Charity no.. 270675 I report to the rrustees on ￿Y exafflination ofthe at¢ounts of the Devon Beekeepers knociatiotl Trust Cthe Trust) for the year ended 30th September 2025. Responsibilities and b&sis of rep)rt As the charity trustee5 ofthe Trustyou are tEsponslble for the preparation olthe accounts in accordance with the requirements ofthe Charities Art 2011 ('the Arf). report in respert ofmy LYamin2tion olthe Trusvs accounts carried out under5ection 145 ofthe 2011 Art 3nd in carrying ollt my examitlltion. I have followed all the applirable DirertiOll5 given bythe Chatity Commrssion llnder Section 145(5)Ib) ofthe Art Independentexaminersstatement I have completed rny examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my allention in connection the Èxamination Eiving me (2use 10 believe that in any material respectt Accounting record5 were nat kept in tÈspect oftheThLStas required by secrion 130 oltheA¢' or ThÈ accollnts do not accord with those record& I have no concerns and have ¢Interest Rec'd Gross
Autumn Lecture
Guest Lecture
DBKA levy on Branches
BBKA Capitation Fees
BBKA Voluntary Contributions
DBKA Levy on Branches for IMYB 2017
Special Events
Other income
AHAT
President's Fund
Members day Raffle
Gift Aid Received
8,410
Submitted to Branches
8,410
**Expenditure**
BBKA Capitation Fees
27,848
Pres Day, AGM & Meetings
1,300
Post, Telephone & Stationery
18
Subs & Donations
50
Officers Travelling Expenses
-
Educ & Exams
128
Auditors Fee
350
-
BBKA Research Fund Conts
-
Web Site Maintenance
203
DBKA Contribuion to IMYB 2017
-
Guest lecture
-
Special Events
-
-
NA branch
-
President's Fund
-
AHAT
619
Sundry expenses
626
**(Deficit)/Surplus for year**|**2025**
694
-
-
4,000
27,848
-
-
-
921
-
-
339
-
-
33,802
31,142
**2,660**|8,081
8,081
27,749
2,092
-
50
36
1,575
392
-
-
171
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,402
-|**2024**
704
-
-
3,995
27,749
-
-
-
1,162
-
20
378
-
-
34,008
35,467
**(1,459)**| |---|---|---|---| 24/12/2025 1 of 5 IncExp24-25 update VBA test.xlsm ## **Devon County Show - Account 2** |**Income**
Honey & product sales
Taste of Honey
Candle Rolling
Commisions / Rents
**Expenditure**
Honey & product sales
8,356
Taste of Honey
959
Candle Rolling
650
Admissions, Membership etc
98
Prize money
945
Insurance
506
Equipment & transport hire
-
Miscellaneous
653
**(Deficit)/Surplus for year**
**Notes**
1. Capital reserve - Balance 30.09.24
Asset Expenditure
Surplus/(Deficit)
Balance 30.09.25|**2025**
10,795
2,699
2,016
237
15,747
12,167
**3,580**
9,653
(133)
9,520
3,580
**13,100**|6,924
778
671
92
771
489
-
531|**2024**
8,710
2,520
1,806
101
13,137
10,256
**2,881**
7,202
(430)
6,772
2,881
**9,653**| |---|---|---|---| ## **Beekeeping Magazine - Account 3** |**Income**
DBKA Members Subs
Independent Subscribers
Advertising Revenue
Refund to branches 2023
Other
**Expenditure**
Printing costs
Direct mailing of magazine
Editors expenses
Ind Subs Secretary expenses
Sundry expenses
**(Deficit)/Surplus for year**|5,046
-
-
-
-|**2025**
3,870
-
2,625
-
-
6,495
5,046
**1,449**|4,617
2,919
88
-
11|**2024**
3,618
-
1,896
-
-
5,514
7,635
**(2,121)**| |---|---|---|---|---| 24/12/2025 2 of 5 IncExp24-25 update VBA test.xlsm ## **Statement of Consolidated Monetary Assets and Liabilities** |**2025**
Cash & bank at 01.10.24
186,491
County General - Account 1
2,660
Devon County Show - Account 2
3,580
Beekeeping - Account 3
1,449
Devon County Show - Capital expenditure
(133)
Branches Surplus / Deficit
14,656
Rounding Adjustment
-
**Cash & Bank at 30.09.25**
**208,703**
Cash & Bank at 30.09.25
County
63,932
Branches
144,771
**208,703**
Sundry Debtors
-
**Liabilities**
Sundry Creditors
89
**Statement of Non Monetary Assets**
**2025**
Trophies
35,681
Books / videos etc
3,718
Apiary Equipment
47,216
Stocks ( Honey, labels, etc)
8,032
Sundries
25,337
Investment in Bee Craft Ltd
1
**119,985**|**2024**
210,288
(1,459)
2,881
(2,121)
(430)
(22,668)
-
**186,491**
56,376
130,115
**186,491**
-
485
**2024**
35,742
3,092
49,796
6,680
26,790
1
**122,101**| |---|---| |
Trophies
Books / videos etc
Apiary Equipment
Stocks ( Honey, labels, etc)
Sundries
Investment in Bee Craft Ltd|| 24/12/2025 3 of 5 IncExp24-25 update VBA test.xlsm ## **Branch Income and Expenditure** |**Income**
Members' Subs (incl basic BDI)
Extra BDI
Gift Aid refund
Other donations
President's Fund donations
Training courses
Apiary Income
Interest received
Other Income
Members Day Raffle
Corrections and rounding adjustments
**Expenditure**
BBKA Capitation
27,851
DBKA Levy
3,838
Beekeeping Magazine
3,870
BDI
4,558
President's Fund donations
340
Apiary expenses
18,776
Training Courses
4,139
Officers' expenses
113
Donations
376
Other expenditure
31,284
IMYB
-
Members Day Raffle
-
Sutera from DBKA AHAT
-
-
-
-
Rounding correction
(3)
**(Deficit)/Surplus for year**
**Monetary Assets**
Cash & Bank at 01.10.24
130,115
Add surplus / deduct deficit
14,656
**Cash & Bank at 30.09.25**
**144,771**
Sundry Debtors
-
**Liabilities**
Sundry Creditors
89
**Non Monetary Assets**
Apiary Equipment
47,216
Books/Videos etc
3,718
Trophies
25,731
Stocks
8,032
Other equipment
16,853
Sundries
6,923
**108,473**|**2025**
43,415
1,942
8,409
2,735
362
18,546
11,277
524
22,589
-
-
-
-
(1)
109,798
95,142
**14,656**|27,752
3,867
3,618
4,537
298
47,005
4,573
274
288
37,814
-
-
-
-
-
-
(4)
152,783
(22,668)
**130,115**
-
70
49,796
3,092
25,792
6,680
17,923
11,194
**114,477**|**2024**
43,020
2,081
8,083
2,715
296
14,347
14,455
529
21,831
-
-
-
-
(3)
107,354
130,022
**(22,668)**| |---|---|---|---| 24/12/2025 4 of 5 IncExp24-25 update VBA test.xlsm ## **Statement of Non Monetary Assets and Liabilities - County** |**2025**
Cash & bank at 01.10.24
56,376
County General - Account 1
2,660
Devon CountyShow - Account 2
3,580
- Cap Exp
(133)
_
-
Beekeeping - Account 3
1,449
Rounding Adjustment
-
**Cash & Bank at 30.09.25**
**63,932**
Current Account
13,123
Savings Account
50,809
Rounding Adjustment
-
**63,932**
Sundry Debtors
-
-
-
**Liabilities**
Sundry Creditors -
-
-
-
-
-
**Statement of Non Monetary Assets - County**
Trophies
9,950
_
-
Equipment - Devon County Show
1,561
Investment in Bee Craft Ltd
1
**11,512**|**2024**
57,505
(1,459)
2,881
(430)
-
(2,121)
-
**56,376**
6,261
50,115
-
**56,376**
-
-
415
-
-
9,950
-
1,878
1
**11,829**| |---|---| 24/12/2025 5 of 5 IncExp24-25 update VBA test.xlsm LIRIGHT OAK Al-.I-.C)UNTI￿c Independent Examiners ReporttD theTnLsiees of DevoD BeekeepeTsA55wation Charity no.. 270675 I report to the rrustees on ￿Y exafflination ofthe at¢ounts of the Devon Beekeepers knociatiotl Trust Cthe Trust) for the year ended 30th September 2025. Responsibilities and b&sis of rep)rt As the charity trustee5 ofthe Trustyou are tEsponslble for the preparation olthe accounts in accordance with the requirements ofthe Charities Art 2011 ('the Arf). report in respert ofmy LYamin2tion olthe Trusvs accounts carried out under5ection 145 ofthe 2011 Art 3nd in carrying ollt my examitlltion. I have followed all the applirable DirertiOll5 given bythe Chatity Commrssion llnder Section 145(5)Ib) ofthe Art Independentexaminersstatement I have completed rny examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my allention in connection the Èxamination Eiving me (2use 10 believe that in any material respectt Accounting record5 were nat kept in tÈspect oftheThLStas required by secrion 130 oltheA¢' or ThÈ accollnts do not accord with those record& I have no concerns and have ¢Interest Rec'd Gross
Autumn Lecture
Guest Lecture
DBKA levy on Branches
BBKA Capitation Fees
BBKA Voluntary Contributions
DBKA Levy on Branches for IMYB 2017
Special Events
Other income
AHAT
President's Fund
Members day Raffle
Gift Aid Received
8,410
Submitted to Branches
8,410
**Expenditure**
BBKA Capitation Fees
27,848
Pres Day, AGM & Meetings
1,300
Post, Telephone & Stationery
18
Subs & Donations
50
Officers Travelling Expenses
-
Educ & Exams
128
Auditors Fee
350
-
BBKA Research Fund Conts
-
Web Site Maintenance
203
DBKA Contribuion to IMYB 2017
-
Guest lecture
-
Special Events
-
-
NA branch
-
President's Fund
-
AHAT
619
Sundry expenses
626
**(Deficit)/Surplus for year**|**2025**
694
-
-
4,000
27,848
-
-
-
921
-
-
339
-
-
33,802
31,142
**2,660**|8,081
8,081
27,749
2,092
-
50
36
1,575
392
-
-
171
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,402
-|**2024**
704
-
-
3,995
27,749
-
-
-
1,162
-
20
378
-
-
34,008
35,467
**(1,459)**| |---|---|---|---| 24/12/2025 1 of 5 IncExp24-25 update VBA test.xlsm ## **Devon County Show - Account 2** |**Income**
Honey & product sales
Taste of Honey
Candle Rolling
Commisions / Rents
**Expenditure**
Honey & product sales
8,356
Taste of Honey
959
Candle Rolling
650
Admissions, Membership etc
98
Prize money
945
Insurance
506
Equipment & transport hire
-
Miscellaneous
653
**(Deficit)/Surplus for year**
**Notes**
1. Capital reserve - Balance 30.09.24
Asset Expenditure
Surplus/(Deficit)
Balance 30.09.25|**2025**
10,795
2,699
2,016
237
15,747
12,167
**3,580**
9,653
(133)
9,520
3,580
**13,100**|6,924
778
671
92
771
489
-
531|**2024**
8,710
2,520
1,806
101
13,137
10,256
**2,881**
7,202
(430)
6,772
2,881
**9,653**| |---|---|---|---| ## **Beekeeping Magazine - Account 3** |**Income**
DBKA Members Subs
Independent Subscribers
Advertising Revenue
Refund to branches 2023
Other
**Expenditure**
Printing costs
Direct mailing of magazine
Editors expenses
Ind Subs Secretary expenses
Sundry expenses
**(Deficit)/Surplus for year**|5,046
-
-
-
-|**2025**
3,870
-
2,625
-
-
6,495
5,046
**1,449**|4,617
2,919
88
-
11|**2024**
3,618
-
1,896
-
-
5,514
7,635
**(2,121)**| |---|---|---|---|---| 24/12/2025 2 of 5 IncExp24-25 update VBA test.xlsm ## **Statement of Consolidated Monetary Assets and Liabilities** |**2025**
Cash & bank at 01.10.24
186,491
County General - Account 1
2,660
Devon County Show - Account 2
3,580
Beekeeping - Account 3
1,449
Devon County Show - Capital expenditure
(133)
Branches Surplus / Deficit
14,656
Rounding Adjustment
-
**Cash & Bank at 30.09.25**
**208,703**
Cash & Bank at 30.09.25
County
63,932
Branches
144,771
**208,703**
Sundry Debtors
-
**Liabilities**
Sundry Creditors
89
**Statement of Non Monetary Assets**
**2025**
Trophies
35,681
Books / videos etc
3,718
Apiary Equipment
47,216
Stocks ( Honey, labels, etc)
8,032
Sundries
25,337
Investment in Bee Craft Ltd
1
**119,985**|**2024**
210,288
(1,459)
2,881
(2,121)
(430)
(22,668)
-
**186,491**
56,376
130,115
**186,491**
-
485
**2024**
35,742
3,092
49,796
6,680
26,790
1
**122,101**| |---|---| |
Trophies
Books / videos etc
Apiary Equipment
Stocks ( Honey, labels, etc)
Sundries
Investment in Bee Craft Ltd|| 24/12/2025 3 of 5 IncExp24-25 update VBA test.xlsm ## **Branch Income and Expenditure** |**Income**
Members' Subs (incl basic BDI)
Extra BDI
Gift Aid refund
Other donations
President's Fund donations
Training courses
Apiary Income
Interest received
Other Income
Members Day Raffle
Corrections and rounding adjustments
**Expenditure**
BBKA Capitation
27,851
DBKA Levy
3,838
Beekeeping Magazine
3,870
BDI
4,558
President's Fund donations
340
Apiary expenses
18,776
Training Courses
4,139
Officers' expenses
113
Donations
376
Other expenditure
31,284
IMYB
-
Members Day Raffle
-
Sutera from DBKA AHAT
-
-
-
-
Rounding correction
(3)
**(Deficit)/Surplus for year**
**Monetary Assets**
Cash & Bank at 01.10.24
130,115
Add surplus / deduct deficit
14,656
**Cash & Bank at 30.09.25**
**144,771**
Sundry Debtors
-
**Liabilities**
Sundry Creditors
89
**Non Monetary Assets**
Apiary Equipment
47,216
Books/Videos etc
3,718
Trophies
25,731
Stocks
8,032
Other equipment
16,853
Sundries
6,923
**108,473**|**2025**
43,415
1,942
8,409
2,735
362
18,546
11,277
524
22,589
-
-
-
-
(1)
109,798
95,142
**14,656**|27,752
3,867
3,618
4,537
298
47,005
4,573
274
288
37,814
-
-
-
-
-
-
(4)
152,783
(22,668)
**130,115**
-
70
49,796
3,092
25,792
6,680
17,923
11,194
**114,477**|**2024**
43,020
2,081
8,083
2,715
296
14,347
14,455
529
21,831
-
-
-
-
(3)
107,354
130,022
**(22,668)**| |---|---|---|---| 24/12/2025 4 of 5 IncExp24-25 update VBA test.xlsm ## **Statement of Non Monetary Assets and Liabilities - County** |**2025**
Cash & bank at 01.10.24
56,376
County General - Account 1
2,660
Devon CountyShow - Account 2
3,580
- Cap Exp
(133)
_
-
Beekeeping - Account 3
1,449
Rounding Adjustment
-
**Cash & Bank at 30.09.25**
**63,932**
Current Account
13,123
Savings Account
50,809
Rounding Adjustment
-
**63,932**
Sundry Debtors
-
-
-
**Liabilities**
Sundry Creditors -
-
-
-
-
-
**Statement of Non Monetary Assets - County**
Trophies
9,950
_
-
Equipment - Devon County Show
1,561
Investment in Bee Craft Ltd
1
**11,512**|**2024**
57,505
(1,459)
2,881
(430)
-
(2,121)
-
**56,376**
6,261
50,115
-
**56,376**
-
-
415
-
-
9,950
-
1,878
1
**11,829**| |---|---| 24/12/2025 5 of 5 IncExp24-25 update VBA test.xlsm