AWARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE STARTING OUT IN BEEKEEPING: ​NEW LEAF LIFE DESIGN AWARD

It’s not very often we get good news like this, but here is a real opportunity for somebody who would like to start keeping bees, but is not able to for some reason, or other, writes Stewart Gould, Chairman of Somerset Beekeepers' Association.

Becky Wright, of New Leaf Life Design, which is a company providing workplace and life design coaching has, very generously, donated a large percentage of her fees from sessions with Riverford Foods and Homes in Sedgemoor to Somerset Beekeepers. This money will be used to help somebody, who is contemplating beekeeping, with the start-up costs, but of course, there are conditions. The award will be made to someone who might otherwise find it financially daunting or somebody who has suffered from a situation, not of their making. The lines are purposely blurred so that the award is flexible.
 
Any member who knows somebody who would benefit from this award, should contact their divisional secretary, who can make a bid to SBKA for this money. That bid should be as detailed as possible, giving the good reasons that the person proposed deserves a helping hand. Submissions should be received by Somerset BKA secretary by October 16th, 4 weeks before the November SBKA council meeting. The recipient will have to attend a beginners’ course and be mentored for the first year. Should they give up beekeeping within three years, all equipment purchased using the award must be returned to SBKA. There will be other conditions but this is an award that could make a considerable difference. The fund currently stands at £325.00.
 
The conditions of the award are set out below. These may change slightly, but this is the gist of it at present. Get thinking about who might benefit from this, and get in touch with your secretary.
 
New Leaf Life Design Award conditions:
1.  The award will be given to a young person who would, otherwise, find it difficult to finance a start in beekeeping, or somebody considered, by SBKA, to be deserving of assistance in doing so.
 
2. Nominations from Divisions should be received at least 2 weeks before the September 11th SBKA Council meeting (by Saturday 9th October), so that they can be considered at that meeting. That is by Saturday 28th August.
 
3.  The recipient of the award will attend an SBKA divisional Beginners’
Theory Course during the winter months and a Practical Course during the following season.
 
4.  The recipient will be found suitable equipment from the award, up to the total sum of £325.00.
 
5.  The recipient may apply for more equipment provided it is deemed relevant and within the confines of the award.
 
6.  The recipient will be found a mentor for the first season of beekeeping, and can expect guidance during succeeding years.
 
7.  The recipient will be given a colony of bees, when the mentor is satisfied that it is time to do so. These bees will become the responsibility of the recipient, who must endeavour to keep them well provisioned and managed in a way acceptable to the mentor.
 
8.  Any proceeds from the sale of honey or other hive products will be the recipient’s to spend as they wish.
 
9.  The recipient must become a full member of SBKA
 
10.  The recipient will be expected to sustain a colony of bees and the associated equipment for a period of three years. If the recipient does not wish to continue with beekeeping during that period, all equipment and bees will be returned to SBKA in a reasonable condition. By the same token, all equipment and bees remain the property of SBKA for that three year period.
 
11.  The recipient must take reasonable care and responsibility for any equipment while in his or her care. If it is found that such reasonable care is not being taken, it may become necessary to retrieve the equipment and bees.
 
12.  If the recipient is seen to have renegued on this agreement, all equipment, bees and other goods associated with this award will be forfeit.
 
For the purposes of this document, SBKA refers to Somerset Beekeepers’ Association - registered charity no. 277803