SBKA President's Report

One of the pleasing aspects of the Presidential role is that you get to visit all the Divisions, and see Association activity at the sharp end. In the past year, I have made thirty five Divisional visits, and have been able to see at first hand, the amazing amount of work carried out at Divisional level. Educational courses continue apace, with the resulting increase in membership, and enthusiasm. Entries in honey shows across the county appear to be on the increase. More thought is being given to publicity, and promotion, not just by our county officers, but also by our Divisional representatives. We are seen at more shows than ever before, and this is all instigated by local Divisions.

Our larger Divisions have, for many years, involved themselves in promoting, publicising, and educating, which is why of course they are our larger Divisions, but now the baton is being taken up by all Divisions, and this is resulting in fundamental changes to some of our smaller groups. The highlight of the year must be the Introductory Course run by Burnham Division, where over eighty people turned up. How much effort in publicity and promotion must have gone into that achievement? The Divisional membership more than doubled in a single evening, and this impetus will continue throughout this year, as people unable to get bees last year, acquire some during the coming season. But more importantly, the Division has been reinvigorated, with new beekeepers providing a greater enthusiasm, and a considerable increase in attendances at meetings. The AGM, which is normally held in the home of Richard and Rosemary Hawkins, had to be moved to a village hall, to get everyone in. Numbers had to be limited at the Practical Introductory Course, which followed the theoretical course, in order that everyone could be accommodated around a hive.

And this is not an isolated incident. By the end of an Introductory Course held by South Western Division during the winter, I understand that membership was increased by twenty two. Once again, a considerable achievement. By the time you read these notes, both Central Division, and Frome Division will have staged Introductory Courses, with, I am sure, similar results. Congratulations to the many dedicated people, who are making this happen.

Looking ahead to the coming season, I wonder what we can expect this year. There is no doubt that beekeeping has become a more challenging hobby than in the past, with diminishing honey yields, and an increase in disease risk. After two indifferent years, as far as honey production is concerned, is this going to be the bumper year to which we are due? I suppose the answer is “only if we look after our bees”. Thanks to the many challenges facing beekeepers in this country, I think the standard of beekeeping has increased tremendously, and the days of the ‘leave alone' beekeeper has been well and truly consigned to the history books.

Gerald Fisher.