Rule Book

1. Introduction

The Kennet Beekeepers Association (KBKA) has been created as a Branch Association of, and is authorised by, the Wiltshire Beekeepers Association (WBKA). The WBKA is an Area Association Member (AAM) of the British Beekeeping Association (BBKA). This rule book is designed to provide guidance to Kennet members and officers alike in regard to various policies and standards as referenced in the KBKA constitution. As members of WBKA and BBKA, Kennet members are required to conform with the BBKA and WBKA constitutions. The KBKA branch rules are in place to ensure proper conduct takes place by Kennet members and its committee officers. Officers are voted into office at the KBKA Annual General Meeting that takes place each year.

2. KBKA Committee 

The KBKA Committee is made up of the following officers and members are voted into the roles at the AGM for a period of 1 year, following which they may stand for re-election. At the AGM each committee member must be proposed and seconded, followed by a simple majority vote by those present at the meeting who are eligible to vote:

2a. Club Chairman and WBKA Trustee

2b. Member representative and WBKA Trustee

2c. Secretary

2d. Treasurer

2e. Membership Secretary

2f. Education & Training Secretary

2g. Apiary Manager/s

2h. Web coordinator

2i. Fetes and Fairs Coordinator

2j. Additional officers up to a maximum total committee membership not exceeding 12.

WBKA membership voted in 2022 for the WBKA to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and as a consequence KBKA have voted that the chairman and a member representative must be elected to serve as Kennet Branch Trustee representatives on the WBKA Trustee and Management Board meetings for a period of three years.  Any person standing for either position must meet the criteria defined by the WBKA’s CIO Constitution, Clause 12, Sub-section 2, and must be prepared to sign a certifying declaration that this is true.

3. Code of conduct Rules

3.1 Members are expected to respect all other members regardless of age, race, gender, colour, creed or disability for example and behave courteously towards them at all times.

3.2 Regardless of the method of communication being used members are expected to be respectful to each other and to each others differing points of view.

3.3 Members are expected to behave courteously to members of the public at all times and not bring Kennet Beekeepers Association (“KBKA”) into disrepute.

3.4 Members are expected to respect all laws relating to wildlife and to care for the environment in their practice of beekeeping.

Should any of the above condition be broken by a member of KBKA the following process will apply:

3.5 The KBKA committee schedule a special meeting to consider the seriousness of the offence and whether the member should be removed from the association. However, before the decision is taken to remove a member from the club the following actions must take place.

3.5 (a) inform the member of the reasons why it is proposed to remove them from membership.

3.5 (b) give the member at least 21 clear days notice in which to make representations to the committee as to why they should not be removed from the membership. A member is entitled to make their point in person, in writing or via a representative should they wish to do so.

3.5 (c) following receipt of the information from the member the committee should meet again to further consider if it is still appropriate to terminate the membership. The outcome of the meeting should be advised in writing to the individual concerned.

3.5 (d) If the member wishes to appeal the decision that has been reached then this matter will need to be referred to the WBKA.

4. Apiary Rules

Introduction

KBKA currently have two apiaries, the production apiary at Caen Hill, for which there is no member access and the training apiary based at Bishops Cannings. Members have access to the training apiary on alternate Saturdays throughout the season when they can benefit from hands on training under the guidance of the Apiary Manager, together with a band of volunteer beekeepers known as the “A Team”. The Association has developed the training apiary for the benefit of all members, irrespective of skill level and aims to run the regular beginner sessions through the season as well specific Improver sessions for the more experienced beekeepers, covering a range of more advanced topics such as Queen rearing. Our aim is to provide a friendly and welcoming environment for all, at whatever stage you are at in your beekeeping journey. Beginners will have the opportunity to reinforce their theory learning through practical sessions prior to obtaining their own bees – or having the opportunity to ask the many questions that inevitably arise. The Association encourages and supports these would be beekeepers to join the Introduction to Beekeeping theory course run prior to the start of the season.

4.1 Any member of the Kennet BeeKeepers Association (KBKA) using or visiting either the main KBKA apiary site or any out apiary does so entirely at their own risk. The Association shall not be liable for any damage or injury to the member, or their property.

4.2 Non-members of the KBKA must only visit the main apiary site, or any out apiary, in the presence of an Association member. The KBKA member will be responsible for the actions of the visitor. KBKA shall not be liable for any damage or injury to the visitor or their property.

4.3 Entrance to the main apiary site and any out apiary is acknowledgement and acceptance of the rules contained herewith.

4.4 Parking at any KBKA apiary is strictly at the risk of the visitor(s) and to be in accordance with the instructions given at site.

4.5 The KBKA will appoint one or more Apiary Managers who may co-opt Apiary Assistants as required (sometimes known as the A-Team). The Apiary managers are accountable to the KBKA Committee.

4.6 The Apiary Managers will be responsible for general management of the apiary site(s) they look after.

4.7 The Apiary Manager’s decision is final in all matters relating to the husbandry of the club’s bee. If any problems arise as a result of this policy, the matter may be taken to the KBKA Committee for final decision. Responsibility for an out apiary may be delegated to an Apiary Assistant.

4.8 The Apiary Manager will be the primary key holder (terminology used in this instance relates to actual keys and/or lock combinations) for the main apiary site and any out apiary. Members of the KBKA (in particular Apiary Assistants will be keyholders) may be key holders for the main apiary site and/or an out apiary, but only with the approval of the Apiary Manager or the KBKA Committee. The Apiary Manager will maintain a list of all key holders. Each key holder will be responsible for locking and securing the apiary after their visit.

4.9 Members who are not apiary key holders and who wish to visit the main apiary site may do so on set apiary diary dates, or when apiary classes are planned. Other visits must be made with an apiary key holder(normally an Apiary Assistant) with the knowledge of the Apiary Manager (or delegated Apiary Assistant).

4.10 Clean bee suits and gloves must be worn at all apiary inspections.

4.11 Members must not use their own equipment on any KBKA hive without prior consent of the Apiary Manager (or delegated Apiary Assistant). All equipment must be cleaned after use.

4.12 Smokers must be knocked out in a manner which does not pose any fire risk.

4.13 By prior agreement with the Apiary Manager (or delegated Apiary Assistant) and following disease inspection of the colony, a member’s bees may be hived at a club apiary. This must only be temporary, to include but not limited to, relocation of hives, quarantine, re-queening or temperament assessment. Under exceptional conditions, and by prior agreement with the Apiary Manager and the KBKA Committee, a member’s bees may be hived at the main apiary site. This will be for an agreed period but which may be subject to revocation or extension. The member’s equipment must be clearly marked and identifiable. A fee equivalent to two 1lb jars of honey (based on the KBKA guide honey price for the current year) will be charged by KBKA.

4.14 Any member temporarily hiving bees on a KBKA out apiary (or main apiary site) shall agree to notify the Apiary Manager (or delegated Apiary Assistant) the location from where the bees are to be moved from and to where the bees are eventually moved to. This will assist the KBKA with disease control and traceability should a notifiable disease become apparent on the out apiary (or main apiary site).

4.15 No bees are to be removed from the main apiary or any out apiary site without notifying the Apiary Manager (or delegated Apiary Assistant).

4.16 No rubbish or debris is to be left on the main apiary or any out apiary site. This includes wax and hive debris. This must be removed and disposed of responsibly by the person or persons concerned. Repeated failure to do so may lead to the member being banned from any KBKA apiary site and if applicable, be requested to remove their hives from any KBKA apiary site.

4.17 Any KBKA member carrying out duties or routine management of the KBKA ‘s colonies shall update the colony and/or apiary records in the prescribed format.

4.18 Any KBKA member carrying out routine management of colonies must advise the Apiary Manager (or delegated Apiary Assistant) immediately, ideally no more than one calendar day, of any colony welfare concerns that could harm a colony. These shall include, but are not limited to, disease, queenlessness and shortage of stores.

4.19 Any dispute arising for the operation of these rules must be notified to the KBKA Committee in writing. Verbal presentations, at the discretion of the KBKA Committee, may also be made. A decision will be determined by a majority vote of the KBKA Committee. That decision will be final and absolute.

4.20 Any member’s beehive(s) or colony(ies) not visited for a period of three months or not properly maintained in accordance with good beekeeping and bee husbandry practice, the said member will be notified verbally and in writing to remove the beehive(s) and bees from the main apiary site or out apiary. If after a further four weeks the equipment has not been removed, it will be deemed to have been abandoned and thereby, the title and ownership will pass to the KBKA.

4.21 If any hive is suspected to contain a notifiable disease the local bee inspector will be contacted, and an inspection of all hives on the apiary arranged. All members using KBKA apiary sites do so on the understanding that the National Bee Unit Bee Inspector may inspect their colonies. Should any colonies have to be destroyed, or a shook swarm arranged there can be no recourse by the owner to the KBKA. If other disease is confirmed, treatment is required if the hive(s) is to remain on any KBKA apiary site. Any treatment used must be an accepted treatment and must be acceptable to the Apiary Manager (or delegated Apiary Assistant).

4.22 Any member visiting either the main apiary site or any out apiary site must respect the landlord’s wishes, both stated and implied. This should include considerate parking and restricting activities to only the apiary site and paying due diligence to the requirement of dipping footwear before entering the site.

4.23 Any breach of the above rules could constitute a breach of the conditions of membership that could lead to disciplinary action and/or revocation of the offender’s membership.