South Chilterns Beekeepers' Association.
Getting a buzz out of bees ........chair@scbka.org
Formed in 1981, South Chilterns Beekeepers' Association brings together people from all walks of life who are concerned to further and share their knowledge and love of the honeybee. The South Chilterns Beekeepers' Association is affiliated to the Berkshire Federation of Beekeepers' Associations who in turn is affiliated to the British BeeKeepers Association.
Our aims are:
To promote and further the craft of beekeeping and promote public awareness and understanding of the importance of bees in the environment.
Members of the Association benefit from:-
- Third Party, Public Liability and Brood Disease Insurance.
- Contact with other beekeepers and Associations.
- The Federation monthly newsletter.
- Hire of honey extracting equipment.
- The British Beekeepers' Association Newsletter as part of your Association subscription.
- Beekeeping equipment at reduced prices from a local supplier.
The Association holds apiary meetings throughout the summer, and winter meetings with talks from October, normally the third Wednesday in the month (see Calendar).
Beekeeping is an ideal hobby for someone who has a little spare time and a great need to do something rewarding and even profitable. Mums at home with the children and early retirees are typical, although most people with a few hives still find time for work and leisure activities as well as beekeeping. If you like fresh air, a bit of adventure and have an interest in nature and conservation, it may be just the thing for you. It has all the interest and uncertainty of farming but on a scale small enough to be carried out in your garden (provided you have a garden of reasonable size and you get on well with your neighbours).
Many of our members are using the native black bee, Apis mellifera mellifera. Some belong to the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association BIBBA.