CBKA

The Cornwall beekeepers Association (CBKA) is a body which, by affiliation to the British Beekeepers Association, has national representation in matters of vital importance to all beekeepers in Cornwall.

Our association is made up of six groups located throughout the county. They are as follows:

LAUNCESTON BEEKEEPERS’ GROUP

We are a friendly and welcoming group of beekeepers centred on Launceston. This does not mean that you can only belong if you live within the town itself. Our members come from Calstock, North Petherwin, St Clether and even over the border in Bratton Clovelly. So we cover a wide area as you can see. We range in experience and ability from beginner beekeepers to those who have only been working with bees for a few seasons and we have some members who have been beekeeping “man and boy” for many years. The Group is not exclusively male there are 5 lady beekeepers and some couples who work together to keep bees.

We have the majority of our meetings in the season from April until September when we meet once a month and members take it in turns to host a meeting. These are always interesting and informative occasions followed by refreshments and general socialising. The ‘teas’ are always worth looking forward to as there are some very good cooks among us.

We are aware that monthly meetings are not enough for new members and are working to expand our programme. New members are assigned a Mentor who lives near to them so that they can have a ‘buddy’ to help them through the learning process and give them advice. October sees our Honey Tasting evening when we get a chance to sample each others’ produce and all the honeys taste quite different. We also have occasional social events which are usually bee-related in some way. Bearing in mind the cost of fuel and environmental conservation, we car share as much as possible.

We enjoy the Royal Cornwall Show in June and Callington Honey Fair in October and try to support them by helping out with the running of the shows or entering our honey or other items in the competitions.

We are all members of Cornwall Bee Keepers Association and receive their magazine “Gwenyn Kernow” every month. New members are expected to join the CBKA after two visits. The website is lively and interesting and gives information not covered in Gwenyn Kernow.

BODMIN BEEKEEPERS’ GROUP

The Bodmin Group of the Cornwall Beekeepers’ Association (CBKA) meets during the winter months in the Lanhydrock Memorial Hall on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm.  Membership of the group is free, though we each pay £1 per session to offset the cost of hiring the hall.  We have talks, discussions and demonstrations on subjects related to bees and their products.  We have a library of books and a steamer to clean frames, which members can borrow.  Our December meeting is a Christmas meal with the Wadebridge group.

Newcomers and beginners are welcome to join us.  We have more than thirty members.  Squadron Leader Louis Riley, who is President of the CBKA, David Harris (Apiary Manager) who won the 2008 George Mitchell Cup for services to Beekeeping and Lynda Evans, who runs classes for beginners, provide a wealth of experience for all of us.  Ten members gained their Basic Beekeeping Certificate in 2008.  During the summer months we meet at the Group Apiary for practical work supervised by the Apiary Manager.

Volunteers manage a stall at the Boconnoc Spring Show with the Liskeard Group.  We also go to the Pencarrow Fair, Bodmin Heritage Day and the Lanlivery Steam Fair meeting members of the public, sharing our love of beekeeping and generally informing children and adults alike about bees, as well as selling some of our products.  There is the opportunity to be involved in the Royal Cornwall Show.  Some members help at the show; some enter the competitions.

LISKEARD BEEKEEPERS’ GROUP

It is the aim of our group to give every encouragement to all beekeepers and newcomers interested in the hobby.

The Liskeard Beekeeping group invites members and the public alike to attend our meetings. These take place at The Bowling Club Liskeard with a start time of 7.30pm September to April covering various beekeeping topics each month. There is a group apiary where meetings are held April to September on the second Saturday of each month starting at 2.30pm and the fourth Wednesday of the month starting at 6.00pm. This apiary consist of different types of hives giving the opportunity for members to practice the various methods open to keeping bees.

WADEBRIDGE BEEKEEPERS’ GROUP

Wadebridge Beekeeping Group was founded in 1948 and is part of the Cornwall Beekeepers Association. We welcome anyone with an interest in beekeeping to come to our summer meetings at the group’s teaching apiary on the outskirts of Wadebridge to learn what happens in a hive and have hands-on experience of handling bees.

The demonstrations are led by the Apiary Manager, Mike Rowe. Protective clothing is available if it is needed but please phone Mike beforehand on 01208 814348.

During the winter when no practical beekeeping is possible, the group holds meetings at Porteath Bee Centre near St. Minver each month, usually on the fourth Wednesday, when guest speakers give talks on various beekeeping subjects. The meeting in February is the group’s AGM and Honey Show. Membership of the group is free but a small donation is appreciated for funds. A library is held at Porteath Bee Centre and the books can be borrowed by members.