Portsmouth Bee Keeping Association Minutes Thursday July 11th 2024
Present Mick Cotton (Chair) MC, Donia Hodgson (Treasurer) DH, Glenys Jones GJ (Show co-secretary) Andrea Smith AS (Show Secretary) Mark Page MP (Bee Health Advisor),Sara Fitzgerald SF(Membership Secretary) ,Sally Northeast SN(Social Secretary-Minutes 11/7/24)
In Addition
Linda Smith (Sustainability Centre Apiary Manager/Education Co-ordinator)
Steve Uden- Allotment Officer Portsmouth City Council-
1.Apologies , Wendy Gilbert (Secretary) , Emily Evans (Social Secretary)
2.Previous Minutes
With alteration above accepted as a true reflection of the meeting- forwarded Sara (FS) Seconded Andrea (AS)
3.Matters Arising,
Alteration to add- on AOB June 20th any funds generated from queen rearing will be used to fund equipment for queen rearing group so assist it continuing next year.
4.Allotment and Bee Keeping Discussion with Steve
● Council has minimal records on current site and ownership of beekeepers on allotments, unless already on their computerised allotment allocation system, bee keepers on site must seek permission and be members of PBKA.
Aware to avoid complaints with other allotment users must be sited carefully
RECCOMENDATIONS- Council desires more beekeepers (as deemed suitable) on available allotment sites with capacity.
No bees currently at Moneyfields, Longmeadow (has shed)
Bee hives at Milton Piece- need locating (GJ and SN to assist)
Aware flooding issue t b considered-for new hives
Durrant/North Harbour/Salisbury already has some hives- poss. more availability
ACTION– Site visits proposed MC GJ SN to assist (AFTER 24th July)
ACTION – Apiarist Agreement for keepers of bees on site- example to be located (GJ)
5. Sustainability Centre Report Linda Smith
● Issues raised- site access, very difficult and can be a potential hazard,
ACTION Mike (MC) to approach Chris about a new location
● Student Attendance- disappointing low numbers- even though they paid- discussion held, agreed to offer the one weekly session as advertised weather dependant, Lindas convenience if alternative day/time offered. Committee acknowledged and thanked Linda on all her hard work and offers full support.
Currently 5 Colonies- 1. Queen less, and in decline, 2 One and half Brood and one Super, 3 One and half brood and two Supers, 4 TBC As supersedure 5 Queenright One and a half Brood and soon to be two Supers, 6 Virgin queen introduced
● Linda raised the idea of a honey spinning session, committee feel this is a great idea which all members could benefit from and could also be considered the final session for the group attending Lindas training,
ACTION Aug/Sep date TBC –Committee
ACTION Calculate equipment used at the Apiary for reimbursement/replacement (LS)
ACTION Linda is planning to do a split, and overwinter two Nucs for the club (LS)
6.Treasurers Report DH- see attatched
● Reminder that monthly income and out goings vary (compared to same months last year)
● Discussion on using the sum up machine (card payments) to members meetings to facilitate the easy of raffle ticket purchases etc,
● Confirmation Collingwood Show was successful, and a reminder our role is educational not just honey sales
● Box Chilli have responded, site management is 150 a year, sounds reasonable
ACTION Donia (DH) to request the contract document before committee makes a decision
Emails to be automatically forwarded to named contact (by role) but first going into general email for the following-Shows, Education, Secretary
7. Marketing Report TBA
8. Swam Collection Update MC
● Continues to be a low number of swarms, or swarms where professionals are needed to remove the bees, or sent to nests which are not honeybees, MC has done one collection in the last week, the issue of people on the swarm list not answering their phones continues.
9. Governance Documents GJ
The Committee members were reminded to write their submissions for the annual report, brief discussion on what was expected
10. July Meeting
Comitee discussed the panel members for the speakers meeting, it was agreed that Andrea (AS) would bring a wealth of experience as would Emily (EE) as active and experienced members Dave Woods and Stephen …………… would also be invited
ACTION SN contacted EE ACTION MC contact S and DW
A game of Bingo would also bee held in lieu of the Raffle using the normal prizes (probably 3 games) SN
ACTION Refreshments Sweets (DH) Biscuits (AS) Cakes (SN)
11.Survey Monkey GH
Committee discussion lead by GH to adapt the last survey done include training needs, types of hives people run, recipes and if they would wish to hire equipment from PBKA and if so what (deposit may be necessary if we go ahead with this)
AOB
BBQ . Committee all were enthusiastic of this idea , appreciating that it is kindly hosted by Mike at the Alpaca field, date to suit Mike but suggestion is just after the summer holidays.
New Facebook page being developed, pictures and videos will be required, so they can be added regularly to give real interest – all contributions to go to Andrea (AS)
Date Of Next Meeting
Thursday 2nd September 7.30pm Lakeside
