Quantock Beekeepers Association was set up as a Branch within the Somerset Beekeepers Association in 2008. Our aim is to share our enthusiasm in beekeeping within a friendly and supportive group. Our numbers have increased to 120 full and associate members.
If you are not a member, but someone interested in bees, nature and the countryside you would be welcome to come and join us at one of our meetings, it will not cost you anything! Simply contact our Secretary via email at [email protected] and we can then ensure that a bee suit is ready for you to borrow and explain any details that you may need to know.
Every second Wednesday of the month (from March to October) at 7pm there will be a Drop in at the Apiary when you can join us in a cup of tea and ‘talk bees’.
If you are not a member, but someone interested in bees, nature and the countryside you would be welcome to come and join us at one of our meetings, it will not cost you anything! Simply contact our Secretary via email at [email protected] and we can then ensure that a bee suit is ready for you to borrow and explain any details that you may need to know.
Every second Wednesday of the month (from March to October) at 7pm there will be a Drop in at the Apiary when you can join us in a cup of tea and ‘talk bees’.
Beginners' CourseWe are pleased to announce that the ever popular Beginners Course will be restarting in January. It has also been decided cease the Rent a Hive scheme in its current form. New Beekeepers will be encouraged to keep their Bees at their own Apiary, and to train / improve using the Branch Apiary colonies. Where possible, they will be allocated a dedicated "Hive Buddy" / Mentor who will be able to advise or assist them as the start their Beekeeping journey. Contact the Secretary for more details.
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Quantock branch |
Learning and Teaching
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Beekeeping can be expensive. For this reason we have a strong focus on helping new beekeepers to set up their first hive properly but also at a budget rate. Wherever possible our learning programmes are free. In all of our training programmes we use conventional hives so that new beekeepers can learn to understand their bees using equipment that is easy to buy and look after. To help new beekeepers we have a full range of honey extraction equipment and wax handling appliances that can be borrowed.
We have negotiated a number of substantial grants to set up a new teaching (Sentinel) apiary on the outskirts of Bridgwater. It has many interesting features which include a wildlife pool, all weather demonstration hive, queen rearing equipment and state of the art microscopy equipment.
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Since 2013 we have been hosts to the BBC for some of the (bee related) filming and recording for Farming Today, Springwatch, Points West and Inside the Animal Mind (with Chris Packham and Prof Adam Hart). This year, Kate Quinlan (of Food Unwrapped) came to learn how to use icing sugar as a method of Varroa control, and BBC One Spotlight came to film Asian Hornet traps.
The British Beekeepers Association has also used our resources for training and assessment events. Children from Williton Primary School came in the Summer to learn about keeping bees. The Devon Apicultural Research Group (DARG), Bridgwater Agricultural Society, Gardening Clubs, Women’s Institute groups and a Trade Union group have also visited. We also had our first Open Day.
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Contact Quantock branch
Honorary President Ken Edwards |
Chairman Barry Hulatt |
Vice-Chairman Ian Pickering |
Secretary Karen Perkins |
Treasurer / Membership Secretary Alison Monteith |
Newsletter Editor / Website Co-Ordinator Bill Monteith |
Education Officer (Advisory Role) Ken Edwards |
Beginners & Improvers Officer Sue Anderson |
Equipment Officer Nick Wills |
Sentinel Hive Manager Barry Hulatt |
QBKA Committee The President and all of the Elected Officers above, Plus Fred Jones, Alva Excell. Margaret Cavill, Mick Stenhouse, Josh Stones, Albert Fry, David Dickinson, Stephanie Bryant, Katy Davis, Dan Davis and Pete Masters. |
Swarm Contacts Ken Edwards (01278 671544), Barry Hulatt (01458 210861), Nick Wills (01278 671781), Jeremy Budd (07788 416041), Joshua Stones (07443 644592), Shawn Clements (07966 525277), David Dodge (07306 243368), Fred Jones (01278 663305), Peter Masters (07437 530067), Dave Pennack (07955 218463), Paul Trolley (07548 589874), Timothy Whittingham (01278 732446) |
branch Apiary Map
The map below shows the location of our Branch's Spaxton Rd Apiary near Bridgwater.
