About Us

Past ...

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Beekeepers' Association (H&loW BKA) was founded in 1882 "for the encouragement and advancement of Bee culture upon humane principles, particularly with a view to bettering the condition of cottagers and the agricultural and other labouring classes". Experts appointed by the committee toured the county, including the Isle of Wight, giving advice and demonstrations. Membership was drawn from all social strata and the subscriptions were graded accordingly from £5 for life membership to one shilling per annum for 'cottagers'.

In the early 1920s the constitution of H&loW BKA changed from being an association of individual members meeting as local groups to becoming a federation of local beekeeping associations, all full members of which automatically became members of H&loW BKA, although individual direct membership remained possible until the 1950s.

...and present

After many changes in the fortunes of these local associations and following the major revisions to the county boundaries in 1974, HBA now embraces the membership of thirteen local associations based throughout Hampshire and about 500 beekeepers now belong.

HBA services

Although each local association arranges its own individual programme of events and activities HBA arranges and co-ordinates such joint services as

• library (books, slides, videos, research papers and magazines)
• quarterly newsletter Hampshire Bee Talk - have a look at some back issues
• Autumn Convention & Honey Show
• heather permits in the New Forest
• spray liaison scheme
• representation of beekeepers' interests with local and national bodies including MAFF; NFU, agricultural spraying contractors, MPs, and EU representatives. A delegate to BBKA (to which all HBA members are automatically affiliated) ensures that Hampshire's voice is heard and heeded.

Management

The management of HBA is vested in an Executive Committee of twelve, elected annually by delegates from each local association and to whom the Executive Committee reports each quarter. Various co-opted subcommittees arrange the many county beekeeping activities mentioned above.
You can download a copy of our constitution (pdf 310k) suitable for printing as an A5 booklet, double sided, or as constitution A4 (pdf 104k)

Funding

The funds for these activities come mainly from a capitation levy paid annually by each local association. Of this sum a proportion then paid to BBKA to support national beekeeping representation, bee research and for third-party public and product liability insurance cover and a bi-monthly Newsletter for all members. (Where else can you get this sort of insurance cover up to £5M for £13.50)