MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE MBKA COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY, 10TH OCTOBER, 2011 AT 7.30 P.M. IN BROUGHTON GIFFORD VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Ruth Woodhouse (in the Chair), Martin Ellis, Den Matthews, Jon Newsam, Hazel Simons, Mary White and Brian Wilson.
64/2011 APOLOGIES: Apologies for absence were received from Andy Farebrother.
65/2011 MINUTES: The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed and signed as a correct record, following one minor amendment.
66/2011 MATTERS ARISING: (a) Forthcoming Events: No suggestions made.
(b) Theft From the Apiary: No contact had been made by the College and the secretary was instructed to write to them to inform them of the theft with a request for their return within seven days before informing the Police. Lackham personnel had been seen removing gravel from the site. Action: Hazel
67/2011 TREASURER’S REPORT: Mary reported the sum of £8,724.17 in the Bank. Membership details had been sent out for the new year and the subscription fee had been increased to £33.00 including insurance. This was as a result of BBKA increasing their subscription from £14.00 to £15.00 and the WBKA increasing theirs from £3.75 to £6.00. The latter had given funds away for the Course in the Box and because they had paid examination fees and this had reduced their funds. No future examination fees would be claimable. A discussion followed and members of the Committee were encouraged by the Chair to attend WBKA meetings to pass comment. Brian joined the meeting at this point. The amount held in the Bank was unusually high because of the income from the sale of the Pavilion. Jon suggested the Club should be purchasing a plot of land, but Ruth said that this had been discussed before and it was felt £25,000 would be needed for a plot. She felt the funds would be needed in the apiary in the future while Den thought the membership should be consulted. Mary felt that members should pay for their examination fees. WBKA had spoken to Fred Swift concerning his website and Ruth said new members should contact Committee members of MBKA before purchasing equipment. Jackie would be maintaining the MBKA website. Mary had encouraged members this year to pay subscriptions direct into the Bank.
68/2011 NEXT YEAR’S PROGRAMME: Various subjects were proposed including: Setting up a website, Creating a Bee Friendly Garden, the Barefoot Beekeeper, Wiltshire Wildlife, Microscopy and Insects. Martin would show a method of making a frame feeder at the AGM. Ruth suggested approaching speakers at the WBKA AGM and Brian thought that beekeeping modules could form the basis for a speaker and someone who had gone through the system could give a talk. Brian offered to talk to a contact at BBKA about this. It was suggested that July could be a visit, August would be the Bee and Honey Day and a social Barbecue. It would be useful to have a speaker from Trading Standards about Quality Assurance and perhaps a speaker on Forensics. Action: Martin
69/2011 NEXT YEAR’S COMMITTEE: Steve, Andy and Den would be standing down. Henry Russell would be Treasurer as Mary would be relinquishing this post to concentrate on Membership Secretary duties. Patrick Kelly would become the Newsletter Editor. Hazel was instructed to send out a letter to the members inviting nominations for the Committee. It was planned to have a cheese and wine social and Martin would give his frame feeder demonstration. Caroline Morison would be a good nomination. Ruth mentioned that she had been approached by a student undertaking bee research who wanted to issue a Press Release which she would circulate round the Committee before approval. Action: Hazel, Ruth
70/2011 EXTRA SHED IN THE APIARY: At the present time the two buildings were inadequate to contain all the equipment. The 6 x 4 was housing the mower, strimmer and garden tools. The 6 x 8 was holding all the hive equipment. Racking and shelving would be needed and a larger shed rather than using a loose box for storage which would cost £50 a month. Martin undertook to obtain a price for a substantial shed and he would be able to install the base with Den’s assistance. This was agreed. Den would discuss a 2m x 3m shed with John Butler. Action: Den, Martin
71/2011 CHEESE & WINE FOR THE AGM: Martin would take Caroline to Bookers. Action: Martin
72/2011 ANY OTHER BUSINESS: (a) Patrick Anderson: Mary spoke about his involvement with Westlea Housing Association and read a note from Patrick about equipment he was holding for Westlea. They had spent £455 on bee equipment and had paid £200 to the Club for guidance. Hazel was instructed to write apologising for the confusion and offering the new apiary where we would be prepared to guide and instruct anyone interested in bee-keeping. Mary felt they should be asked if they wished the £200 to be returned. Brian felt they should be asked what they plan to do and whether we could provide it. Action: Hazel
(b) Honey Extraction Demonstration: Following discussion Hazel was instructed to write to Kennet Branch who were hosting the County Show, to say that there was no honey and no Committee members available for the day. Nobody would be able to provide a stall. Action: Hazel
(c) Melksham Area Board: Martin undertook to go to this event on 3rd November and Hazel would send him details.
(d) Melksham Climate Friendly Group Newsletter: Hazel was asked to reply seeking publicity for our next Bee & Honey Day. Action: Hazel
(e) Moving the Apiary: Mary asked if those working on the moving of the Apiary could be recompensed, at least for mileage, and this was thought appropriate. Those concerned were Den, Henry Russell and Mrs. Russell together with Pete Colegate. Action: Mary
(f) Press Officer: Hazel was requested to write to Mark Fife to ask if he could become the Club’s Press Officer. Action: Mary
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.
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