Membership

Joining Stratford-on-Avon Beekeepers’ Association opens up a world buzzing with excitement. Connect with fellow bee enthusiasts, learn from experienced apiarists, and contribute to the vital role that bees play in our ecosystem.

Whether you are a seasoned beekeeper or just starting out, our community will support and inspire you on your journey to protect these essential and fascinating pollinators.

Full Membership

Gain all the benefits of our association including:

Membership of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), worth £21
Bee Disease Insurance for up to 3 hives, worth £2
Discounted entrance fee to the BBKA Spring Convention
Access to the BBKA Examination Scheme
Visits to the SBKA association apiary with instruction from members
A network of experienced beekeepers as mentoring for beginners
Access to loan specialised beekeeping equipment
Free bees (when available!) from our swarm collection team
Monthly SBKA newsletter
Access to the BBKA visual aids and slide library
Access to SBKA book library
Full voting rights
Save £12 on your Partner’s membership

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All this and more for just £30/year

Our memberships run from 1st October to 30th September and we offer a reduced rate for joining after 1st June.

Partner

Enjoy all the benefits of membership at a reduced rate.

Living at the same address as a Full member
BBKA membership included.
Full voting rights in SBKA.

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£18.00/year

Associate

Show your support for the SBKA.

Living at the same address as a Full member
No BBKA membership.
No voting rights in SBKA.

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£5/year

Junior

Membership for under 18s.

Full membership.
BBKA membership included.
Full voting rights in SBKA.

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£12/year

Country

For those not active in beekeeping, who wish to support and be involved with SBKA and BBKA.

BBKA membership.
Full voting rights in SBKA.

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£15.00/year

Local

For those not active in beekeeping who do not keep bees but who wish to support SBKA OR Individuals who keep bees but are a BBKA member elsewhere for insurance purposes.

No BBKA membership.
No voting rights in SBKA.

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£8/year

Bee Diseases Insurance – BDI

Bee Diseases Insurance (BDI) provides valuable cover against the loss of bees, equipment and honey from the notifiable bee diseases American and European Foulbrood. Beekeepers with up to 39 colonies can insure through Scheme A, for which the premiums are payable through our Association; those with 40 or more colonies can only insure directly with BDI through Scheme B and they should contact our Hon. Treasurer for further details.

Premiums are for the calendar year and must be paid by 31 March – cover will not commence for 60 days if payment is made after this date.
Note that cover only applies if all colonies are insured, so it is important to cover all the colonies that you intend to work during the season.

BDI Rates for 2024/25 are given here.
Note that the Association subscription for all Full members includes a BDI premium to cover the first 3 colonies, so members wishing to cover more than 3 colonies must pay the appropriate extra premium. Country members, Associates and Friends do not pay BDI. Junior members may pay the basic premium plus the extra shown in the table for more than three colonies.

NUMBER OF COLONIES	PREMIUM
BDI premium for up to 3 colonies	Included in your Association subscription
Up to 5 colonies	pay £1.20 extra
Up to 10 colonies	pay £4.70 extra
Up to 15 colonies	pay £7.75 extra
Up to 20 colonies	pay £9.50 extra
Up to 25 colonies	pay £11.10 extra
Up to 30 colonies	pay £13.60 extra
Up to 35 colonies	pay £16.10 extra
Up to 39 colonies	pay £18.10 extra

Bee Craft

The magazine Bee Craft is available at reduced rates through the Association.

The association discounted rates for the calendar year 2024/2025 are £35 for a 12 month print subscription and £22 for a 12 month digital subscription. Further discounts are available for Direct Debit payments: (£31 for print, £18 for digital).

The Membership Secretary will provide you with a special Bee Craft Promotion Code enabling you to qualify for the special discounts to use on the Bee Craft website where you will be able to pay your magazine subscription directly by direct debit or credit card etc.