BBA Members update, 26th March 2026
Your committee got together this past Monday for a delicious meal at the Wild Hare Cafe in Stow. The season is waking up. Read on for a quick rundown of what is happening right now and over the next few weeks.
Key role of Secretary – help us run BBA
The role of Secretary in beekeeping associations is always pivotal. You will be the first point of contact for the outside world and play a vital role in facilitating the many and varied activities within BBA. Communication with members through our email updates is also an important part of the Secretary’s remit.
Running our Autumn/Winter programme of talks and Summer apiary visits has recently been encompassed by our Secretary, but this Events Manager aspect could be fulfilled by someone other than the Secretary. Please consider this option.
Applicant members will be at ease with administrative tasks and communicating as well as familiar with Word, Excel and managing emails (BBA uses Gmail). Experience hosting Zoom calls would be appreciated, besides taking care of the planning and note-taking as one of our committee members.
If interested, please email us, FAO Kate Atchley, who is happy to answer queries and provide more information.
Apiary visits … offers to host welcomed
We hope to offer lots of apiary visits this year, for they are very popular and much appreciated by members. Even if you have just two hives, it can be of great interest to others to visit and see your bees, though socialising over tea is usually a high spot too.
Please don’t be shy to offer, stating roughly when might suit you best – April to August. We encourage you to set a maximum number of participants, so you aren’t overwhelmed with eager beekeepers on the day! Please show your interest using the following link and suggest when will suit you best:
I’d like to host an apiary visit
We look forward to hearing from you.
Basic Beekeeping Certificate
We strongly encourage early-years beekeepers to seek their basic certificate. It is not difficult, and help is on hand from some experienced members to guide you through it.
After the Beginners’ course and looking after a colony of bees for at least one season, you’ll be well placed to study and apply for the SBA Basic Beekeeping (BB) Certificate.
This is a practical/oral “over the hive” assessment. It’s a great opportunity to show off your bees but also to build your confidence in handling them. You do not need to be an SBA member, and it costs £40.00. On successful completion of the assessment, candidates receive an official SBA Basic Beekeeping Certificate, recognised nationally. The deadline for applications this season is the 15th of April 2026, so no time to lose.
Please let us know by email if you are applying for the assessment so we can reach out with mentoring help.
Application is on the SBA website, Education page, https://form.jotform.com/253294233096358
Useful resources to assist preparation can be found here:
https://scottishbeekeepers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Basic_Beemaster_SyllabusApril20232.pdf
Wax lyrical with wax?
SBA is hosting a Spring ‘Wax Workshop’ near Peebles – an ideal opportunity to hone our skills prior to our Autumn Honey Show!
This year, with our new Honey Show format, the emphasis will be on improving skills (rather than winning prizes). The show will feature 7 classes, 3 being wax-related.
Early booking for the course is recommended:
https://scottishbeekeepers.org.uk/event/wax-workshop/
Honey jars … we all need them!
We seek a volunteer to coordinate the bulk ordering of honey jars – usually twice a year. The orders are placed via the BBA website, so the admin is simplified. Others will join to help unload and sort the orders upon arrival. We look forward to hearing from you.
One last perk
We are getting a batch of new veils to lend to beginners who need them. We also have some sharp new aprons arriving soon. They are embroidered with the BBA logo and ready for members to wear at our public events.
