Starting Beekeeping

Fire Risks!

apiarymanager Education & Training, Equipment, PBKA, Starting Beekeeping, Stories of Interest

Hi fellow beekeepers

I am watching the Preseli mountain burn away and thought this a good time to suggest you take extra care when lighting your smoker or putting it down.

It is too easy to start an accidental fire while everywhere is so dry. I take a stainless steel bucket with me and put the smoker inside that, I am also fortunate that my apiary has plentiful water nearby.

Peter Kirkup

Asian Hornet Coordinator

LAST CHANCE: PBKA Beginners’ Beekeeping Course- a few places left!

apiarymanager Education & Training, Events, For Sale, PBKA, PBKA Apiary, PBKA Membership, Scolton Beekeeping Centre, Starting Beekeeping, Stories of Interest, Training

Please note that there are limited places left for the PBKA Beginners Beekeeping Course 2025, which is being held this Saturday 15th March at Scolton Manor Park.

If you are interested, or have already asked to be placed on our provisional list, please confirm asap that you wish to attend the course and complete the entry requirements.

Please see One-day Beginners’ Beekeeping Course 2025 for details.

If you have any queries, please email Paul Eades at pbkaapiarymanager@live.co.uk

URGENT: Overdue PBKA Membership subs due now!!

apiarymanager Events, PBKA, PBKA Apiary, PBKA Honey Show, PBKA Newsletter, PBKA Website, Starting Beekeeping, Stories of Interest, Training

Please note that PBKA Membership subs are now overdue!

N.B. Some members have inadvertently tried to pay into our old Barclays Bank account and as a result their membership has been temporarily suspended.  We have emailed them, but are still waiting for responses however, so you may wish to check!

Note that you will not be insured for BDI or Public/Products Liability insurance, if you are not a fully paid up member!

If you have any membership queries, please contact Sara Anderson at pbkamembers@gmail.com

IMPORTANT: Please read the information below!

  • PBKA membership renewals and new applications will be valid until 31st December 2025.
  • Please note the change of PBKA bank account, which is now with the Co-operative Bank and not Barclays.
  • Also, note the changes in Annual Membership Fee, which now starts at £28.00, due to an uplift in costs to us by the WBKA.
  • Note that all memberships will now be for a ‘Single Paid Person’ only, starting at £28.00.
  • Previously available categories (such as ‘Partner’), will no longer be available. This has been made necessary, due to changes in the WBKA insurance arrangements.

For full details of how to join or renew, please go to https://pbka.info/join/

Details of some future events:

  • The Honey Show Awards/Annual General Meeting – Sunday 16th March 2025 @ 2pm
  • Beginners One Day Beekeeping Course – Saturday 15th March 2025
  • Apiary Meetings for PBKA members – Commencing Sunday 27th April 2025

Paul Eades

Chair

Pembrokeshire Beekeepers’ Association 

Reminder: PBKA Honey Show, this Sunday 24th November 2024!🐝

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Don’t forget that the PBKA is running its ‘Honey Show’, this Sunday 24th November 2024.

  • Open to all PBKA members and their families from 10am, whether you are exhibiting or not!
  • This year, there is a free gift for all entrants to the competition and a special £50 Gift Voucher will be awarded to the winner of the ‘Most Points in Show Award’
  • Free refreshments will be available for all PBKA members!
  • Open to the Public for viewing between 2pm and 4pm. Come and meet a Beekeeper!🐝

The Honey Show will be held at ‘The Green Barn’ at the bottom end of the site, past the old steam train at Scolton Manor.

This year the schedule includes additional categories in order to encourage PBKA members and make it a more inclusive, ‘fun’ event at all levels and ages.

We are keen to encourage as many entrants as possible, so please have a look at the Schedule for the PBKA Honey Show 2024 (3) to consider what categories you might like to enter, if you haven’t already.

Note that we have a special category for beginners (Novice Class) and as well as some new categories this year, such as Honey Fudge, a Children’s Category, and an ‘Interesting or ingenious piece of beekeeping related equipment’ category. Again, as last year, we have a fun ‘Bad Beekeeper of the Year’ award, (which I should win easily this year, according to the Committee!!!).

Note that we intend having a combined social event and prize giving in the New Year 2025, which will be open to all PBKA members and their families!

Parking

  • Please note that limited parking will be available for contestants dropping off their entries in the morning at the association apiary down the lane past the Green Barn.
  • Pay and Display parking is also available on-site.
  • NB: Please DO NOT PARK in front of the Green Barn.

Any enquiries in the meantime, please come back to me at pbkaapiarymanager@live.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you all! Continue reading →