Agenda for WBKA AGM in October

Wiltshire Beekeepers Association

The annual general meeting to be held

On 15th October 2011, at ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL , MARLBOROUGH at 11.15am

AGENDA

1. Welcome and items for any other Business.

2. Apologies.

3. Minutes of the 2010 AGM on 16^th October 2010

4. Matters arising.

5. Correspondence.

6. Chairman’s report.

7. Treasurer’s report.

8. Election of officers.

President

Vice-presidents (2)

Auditor

9. Harold Teal Cup

10. Any other business

PLEASE NOTE; Nominations of officers for the coming year must be brought to this meeting. If you wish to nominate anyone please inform me before the meeting.

Thank you Ruth

WBKA AGM Minutes September 2010

WILTSHIRE BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the annual general meeting held in Bowerhill Hall, Melksham, on Saturday 16^th October, 2010, commencing at 12.15pm.

Present and officiating:

Chairman of the meeting The President Michael Farrar

Vice-Chairman of the Association Dennis Simpson

Treasurer Graham Rendall

Deputising Secretary Ross Gregory

38 Members and friends recorded their attendance.

Business followed the agenda below:

1) The chairman welcomed members and friends and asked if any items of business other than those on the agenda were to be brought forward. No extra items were suggested.

2) Apologies were received from: Jerry Wickham, Ruth Woodhouse, Kevin Horner, Chris Wilks, Tony Herbert, Sue & Clive Harris.

3) The minutes of the 2009 AGM were taken as read, approved and signed.

4) Matters arising. There were no matters arising.

5) Correspondence. None specific to the meeting

6) Chairman’s report.

Dennis Simpson read out the report provided by Jerry Wickham. The following points were made in the report (full report on file):

a) Jerry apologised for not being present.

b) Jerry noted that all branches have increased membership and thanked all who have given up much time to help and train the newcomers

c) Last year Twickenham had sought Wiltshire’s support for their proposal at the ADM. Following the defeat of the proposal at the ADM, Twickenham had sought Wiltshire’s support for a similar proposal. Only two branches provided Jerry with a response. Consequently, Jerry informed Twickenham that Wiltshire could not support their proposal.

d) There are a number of ‘talented’ honey show exhibitors in the county. Some were successful at the National Honey Show. As a result of a concerted effort by many members of branches Wiltshire regained the trophy at the Royal Bath and West Show.

e) We all need to take on new ideas and concepts concerning bee husbandry and disease control.

f) This was the first year in his 6 years of beekeeping he has been notified that spraying would take place. He wonders why he isn’t advised more often. We need to have a sensible and constructive relationship with the spraying fraternity.

g) His 2-year term as Chairman comes to an end shortly and thanked all members of Council for their work and support provided to him.

Ron Hoskins proposed, and seconded by Bill Clark, that the Chairman’s report be accepted. It was accepted unanimously.

7. Treasurer’s report.

Graham Rendall presented his report. The main points being:

a) The membership has increased from 297 in 2009 to 384 in 2010.

b) HoneyBee Times has cost a bit more this year but with bigger membership and four editions of the magazine have been produced this year with part colour.

c) Swindon put on an improved AGM and Honey Show with top speakers. Refund of examination fees continues.

d) All branches have taken advantage of the funding for books and other educational items, though two have not yet utilised the maximum of £300.

e) The balance of the accounts is reduced to £11,201 from £12,623 last year.

f) Membership numbers are up, so he recommended that County capitation can stay the same for the coming year.

g) Branch treasurers thanked for their cooperation in sending him the capitation payments promptly.

A full treasurer’s report can be seen in the file, and may be inspected if desired.

Bill Clark proposed, and Roger Tilley seconded that the report be accepted. It was duly accepted unanimously.

8. Election of officers.

President: Mike Farrar

Re-elected: proposed by Bill Clark, seconded by Ross Gregory

Vice-presidents:

Bill Clark proposed, seconded by Arthur Goodhead, that Ron Hoskins be elected to Vice-President as mark of his contribution to beekeeping to join Sir Maurice Johnston and Robin Chapman. This was accepted unanimously by the meeting.

Auditor: Graham Rendall proposed that the current auditor, Rev. Robert Earley who also audits Salisbury Branch accounts, continue as auditor. This was seconded by Arthur Goodhead and Ron Hoskins and accepted unanimously.

9. The Harold Teal cup was awarded by the Chairman to Swindon branch in recognition of the wide publicity given to beekeeping by Ron Hoskins’ project and the ongoing work the branch does. The cup was presented by the President to Ron Hoskins, who is President of the Swindon Branch.

10. AOB No other business was proposed and the meeting closed at 12.40p.m.

-end-

Minutes of September 2011 committee meeting

MINUTES OF MBKA COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY, 5^TH SEPTEMBER, 2011 AT 7.30 P.M. AT BROUGHTON GIFFORD VILLAGE HALL

PRESENT: Ruth Woodhouse (in the Chair), Martin Ellis, Andrew Farebrother, Den Matthews, Jon Newsam, Joy Riley, Hazel Simons, Steve Summers, Mary White and Brian Wilson.

55/2011 APOLOGIES: None.

56/2011 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:The Minutes of the previous meeting, having been approved, were signed as a correct record.

57/2011 MATTERS ARISING: None.

58/2011 TREASURER’S REPORT: Mary reported a balance in the Bank of £8,703.55 with membership at an all-time high of 140, with new members waiting to join in October.

59/2011 REVIEW OF BEE AND HONEY DAY: It was agreed that several sales areas suffered as a result of Kennet Branch running parallel attractions, e.g. candle rolling and honey sales. The Barbecue did well, but also lost money because of over-purchasing caused by figures not being available until the eve of the show. The pricing of cakes had been disproportionate and some whole cakes had been sold very cheaply. The raffle had gone well with visitors seeking out tickets to buy. Once again the children’s corner had been very popular and as items from the Scrapstore could not be charged for, this left parents with more money to spend elsewhere. Jon suggested that members selling honey without attending the day should be charged 5% by the Club.

Mary suggested that the difference in the catering figures from last year could have been because Mary Bradshaw used her own equipment. Martin pointed out that cake cloches and signs that had been purchased could be used again next year; it was agreed that the signs contributed to the fifteen hundred attendance. The hire of tables was a new expense and following discussion, it was agreed that next year it would be better to seek out someone with a van to bring in tables and chairs from the Village Hall at Broughton Gifford for a proposed sum of £50. The day had been a success, but the mistakes made meant a better event next year.

The layout of the grounds was preferred to 2010 and the National Trust had appreciated members laying out and taking down. The catering group had done sterling work and Brian wanted to thank them at the next Branch Meeting. He suggested the Club request a cash donation from stall holders, but this was not possible under the auspices of the National Trust. Some volunteers had worked through all day despite a timed rota being compiled by Martin. It was noted that members who were not volunteering would have found it an expensive event to visit and Joy suggested perhaps the Trust could charge half price to members. The ice cream salesman had done well, but the placing of Kennet alongside had drawn people in that direction. Den pointed out that some time ago he had queried Kennet’s attendance as it should be emphasised that it was Melksham Club’s showpiece. It was agreed that Mead and Honey tasting should be closer to sales. Steve thought the honey tasting had made a great difference to honey sales; he had produced a spreadsheet which would assist organisation of honey sales next year. Martin suggested coloured stickers on the honey jars could assist organising sales. Brian left the meeting at this point.

With the National Trust opening at 10.30, this had forced our gate open then. Stalls for next year included Tombola and a brica-brac stall, perhaps on a sale or return basis. Andy suggested counting people through the gate and handing out flyers with MBKA information on one side and a plan layout on the other. Action: Brian

60/2011 REMOVAL OF APIARY PAVILION: No progress had been made except messages left. It was agreed that a very good price had been paid for the pavilion and also for the mower.

61/2011 FORTHCOMING EVENTS: Ruth requested a planned programme for events to be available for the next meeting on the 7^th November and Joy agreed to help Martin with this. A discussion followed concerning the decision-making process and it was agreed that if at all possible these should be made at meetings of the Committee, but if this failed, it would be a matter of the Chair making the decision. Action: Joy and Martin

62/2011 HONEY SHOW: Mary and Liz Taylor had worked together in organising this and the information had been sent out to members. The Committee expressed their appreciation to Mary for taking this matter in hand. A discussion followed concerning the trophies which were all showing signs of wear and were felt to be out-dated. It was agreed to start a system of certificates this year with vouchers up to a total of £100 which would replace the four cups/shield and could be spent with Chris Rawlings. Mary would enquire what time the Hall could be accessed, Joy and Martin would discuss a speaker and refreshments would be in the form of tea and biscuits. Action: Mary, Joy and Martin.

63/2011 a) Casualties: Only two casualties occurred at the Bee & Honey Day: one person fainted and another received a wasp sting on the head.

(b) Beelines: Steve would be handing over Beelines at the AGM. He reported that Patrick and Anna Kelly had been very good at printing the magazine and he would approach Patrick about taking on the editor’s chair. Action: Steve

(c) AGM: Nominations for places on the Committee would be needed for the AGM: Den would be resigning, but had approached Henry Russell for the post of Treasurer.

(d) Apiary Move: Den reported that he would be moving the small shed and the apiary team would be moving the concrete slabs. Action: Den, Martin and Jon.

(d) Westlea Housing: Ruth had received an e-mail from Patrick Anderson asking if the Committee wanted him to carry on working with Westlea on their behalf. It was agreed that more information was needed and the paper was passed to Mary. Action: Mary

(e) Event at Tilshead: Hazel had undertaken that MBKA would be represented at this event on 4^th June next year; an observation hive and candle rolling with possibly honey sales had been welcomed and £20 travel expenses would be paid to the member transporting the bees.

(f) Review: Den reported that a review of the Bee & Honey Day had been carried out with the National Trust the previous year. Ruth requested that Hazel e-mail Brian with a request that he and two other members of the Committee attend a meeting to be arranged with the National Trust. Action: Hazel, Brian.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.

Membership Fees now due

All membership subscription fees should be paid by the end of October 2011

Junior Under 18 s, Melksham BKA membership only including a copy of Beelines, no voting rights at A.G.M or BDI insurance = £5.00

Associate Membership of Melksham Beekeeping Association only = £10.00

Partner Beekeeping partner of a full Melksham BKA member who require their own British BKA Public and Product Liability Insurance cover = £10.00

Full Full British BKA membership, full Wiltshire BKA membership, full Melksham BKA membership, BDI cover for up to Three hives (Compulsory) = £33.00

Note, Basic B.D.I insurance included with full membership provides cover for up to three hives only.

Bee Disease Insurance (Full members only)

BDI covers the insured for the statutory destruction of bees, honey and equipment for American or European foul brood. Full branch membership includes cover for up to three hives. For insurance cover over three hives additional premiums must be paid.

4 to 5 colonies (including the basic three) add £2.00 to subscription fee

6 to 10 colonies (including the basic three) add £5.25 to subscription fee

11 to 15 colonies (including the basic three) add £7.75 to subscription fee

16 to 20 colonies (including the basic three) add £9.50 to subscription fee

21 to 25 colonies (including the basic three) add £11.10 to subscription fee

For over 26 colonies contact branch treasurer

Please note, for a policy to be valid ALL colonies owned by the beekeeper must all be insured by BDI. Cover starts from the date entered on the treasurer’s receipt. Make allowances for increases during the season, including any swarms or nuclei as these count as individual colonies and must be insured accordingly to avoid invalidation of insurance. Full details of policy terms and conditions available from branch treasurer.

Junior & Associate membership consists of membership of the Melksham BKA. only. Junior members are excluded from voting at general meetings. As no insurance premiums are paid to British BKA or BDI by Junior or Associate members, Junior or Associate members are not covered by any British BKA or BDI insurance policies. Partner members are not entitled to receive a copy of branch newsletter “Beelines” and are covered for public liability only by the BBKA. No BDI insurance is included.

Pavilion for sale

Internal dimensions

Main building

4.16m x 6m

Verandah

1.16m x 6m

Height to apex 3.0m

External

6.11m x 5.56m

Open farm visit

Open Farm Sunday 12^th June 2011 ‘LEAF’

Five Lanes Farm POTTERNE. DEVIZES will be open to visitors on Sunday the 12^th June 2011 12pm to 4pm

here will be many farm attractions for all the family including baby chicks, cows, calves and pony rides. Come and have a farm walk as the keeper goes on safari trail competition, what wild animals would he see? Have a look at some farm machinery old and new. Take the opportunity to “Ask the Farmer” like; what’s the difference between straw and hay, what is silage? Why are farmers grumpy? Come along bring the family and your wellies ‘just encase.’ refreshments will be available with plenty of free parking. (Look for the tractor signs)

For more information on Open Farm Sunday go to the web site, www.farmsunday.org. Or of course you can ring

John and Teresa Chandler on 01380 725643 or 07970 953 557.

The only favour we ask is to keep your dog on a lead. See you on Sunday, June the 12^th. John & Teresa Chandler, Five Lanes Farm, .Potterne SN10 5PS on the Worton to potterne road. OFF THE A360.