What does the West Cornwall Beekeepers’ Association do?

Meetings and courses

Summer Apiary meetings are held regularly at the Association’s training apiary when practical demonstrations and teaching take place. Occasional meetings may also be held at members’ apiaries.

Winter meetings are held when the bees are tucked up. We meet monthly on a Monday at Marazion Community Centre, Gwallon Lane, TR17 0HW, for a variety of lectures from experts in their field, or for workshops covering aspects of beekeeping. These evenings are also a forum for exchanging ideas, as well as being an opportunity to meet members socially.

We also run a study group for BBKA modules and General Husbandry Assessment in collaboration with Cornwall BKA.

Support

A Better Beekeeping group for beginners and improvers also meets monthly on Mondays at Marazion Community Centre, Gwallon Lane, TR17 0HW. Here new members can learn how best to look after their bees and, at the same time, make friends with other new beekeepers in the area.

We keep in touch with you not only through meetings, but also through other media. We have a monthly newsletter called ‘An Hes’ (Cornish for ‘The Swarm’) which has association news and other articles of interest.

We have an active Facebook group as well as the information to be found here on our website.  We also have an extensive and comprehensive lending library, to which all members have access. The library is open at each meeting or by arrangement with the librarian.

Full membership of WCBKA also gives you membership of the British Beekeeping Association and insurance which covers you for certain bee diseases and public liability.

Our programme of obtaining discounted beekeeping supplies is open to members.

Events

The Honey Show in the early winter gives members an opportunity to compare the fruits of their individual labours. It is an opportunity to show off what we have all achieved and created with products of the hive over the year, and maybe carry off a cup or two. It is also a way of promoting high standards in bee keeping and marketing.

We hold an annual Autumn Beekeeping convention called ‘A Bit-of-a Do’ where we join with Cornwall Beekeepers’ Association to hold a one day open event in the county, with guest speakers of national standing. With workshops, and trade and information stands, this is a most popular event.

We attend selected shows and fairs such as the Royal Cornwall Show every year to spread the message about bees and their importance.

For more information or to join the association please contact our membership secretary.