If you keep bees in the south eastern part of West Sussex, there are many advantages in joining Worthing Beekeepers, a Division of West Sussex Beekeepers and in turn a member of the British Beekeepers Association.
As an ‘indirect’ member of the BBKA your beekeeping activities are covered from a public liability aspect of up to £2,500,000 for each claim! But you must not operate more than 40 hives to enjoy this benefit. There is also a Product Liability of up to £2,500,000. You can take out additional insurance, which covers physical loss or damage to your hives and bees in Home or Out Apiaries.
You may know that West Sussex is presently the centre of an outbreak of European Foulbrood, so another important benefit is a special Insurance through the Bee Disease Insurance who can insure your hives and bees against their destruction should the disease be found in your apiary. All beekeeping members of our Association are required to insure at least two colonies, but we recommend that a number in excess of colonies presently owned are insured, as natural expansion through swarms and nucleus hives are then covered. The rates are extremely reasonable, as the scheme is administered by volunteer beekeepers.
The BBKA supports a Spring Convention, held at Stoneleigh, and an autumn ‘National Honey Show’ in London in the autumn. West Sussex Beekeepers Association hold their own Spring Convention, with Guest Speakers of International repute, and an Annual Bee Market and Auction where you can buy and sell beekeeping equipment.
Worthing Beekeepers hold Apiary Meetings during the Summer Months at their own or members Apiaries; they have their own Honey Show, and during the Winter a series of Lectures. There is some beekeeping equipment, such as an Extractor, and Warming Cabinets, which are available for loan free of charge.
A Monthly Newsletter, tells you about what is going on in West Sussex Beekeeping, and five times a year you receive a copy of the BBKA News. All our members receive a free copy of Thorne’s Magazine ‘Beekeeping’, and the opportunity to obtain the monthly ‘Bee Craft’ Magazine at a considerably reduced rate.
Advice is available to our members on all beekeeping matters both locally, and at a National level. Essentially, Worthing Beekeepers exists to help you enjoy and profit from your bees. We do appreciate that beekeepers are individuals, that some will want to join and take part in all activities, including taking BBKA Examinations and being on the ‘Swarm Collection List’, whilst others will wish to quietly enjoy their bees in solitude. To all we offer a warm welcome and friendship.
If you keep bees, or want to, then send us an EMAIL.