The SDBKA is a group of over 130 hobbyist beekeepers who meet regularly to discuss beekeeping matters and offer advice and support to fellow beekeepers.

 

In the autumn and winter months (September to March), we hold regular meetings on the third Wednesday of each month (except December), and in the spring and summer, we visit our Association and private apiaries, and attend flower and agricultural shows to encourage newcomers to the craft.

 

We hold an annual training course for members who are new to beekeeping, which takes place in the spring.  We are currently setting up a new Association Apiary, which will be the venue for the 2020 course.  Trainees will have 6 or so weeks of tuition, both theory and practical, and then gain experience looking after a hive for the rest of the season, under experienced supervision.  There has been unprecedented demand for our 2020 course, which is now full, but members are able to join our waiting list for the 2021 course here.  The cost for the 2020 course is £50, or £75 for a for a couple. You'll need your own bee suit to take part in the course.
 

The SDBKA is managed by a committee of eleven members, who endeavour to arrange an interesting programme of winter talks and summer events. The Association was started by enthusiasts in 1907, and has links with other groups in surrounding Counties and with other associations through its membership of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA). If you’re interested in joining us, you can find out more about our Full and Associate Membership options on our Membership page.

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We encourage all our members keeping bees to register with BeeBase which is a national database used by the National Bee Unit for tracking and monitoring bee disease. Click here to access the registration documents and further details.