Beekeeping

Beekeeping at Beighton Allotments

Bees are an excellent addition to our allotment site as they play a critical role in the pollination of many plants, especially fruit crops. Higher yields and better quality produce will result from having hives on the site.

If you wish to consider keeping bees on your plot, you must get written permission from the Association Committee in the first instance. Bees must not be kept until the Beighton Allotment Association beekeeping agreement has been signed and you have agreed to adhere to the policy below.

Hives/location

No more than five hives (including nucleuses) may be sited in any one lane which is why permission must be sought before ANY new hives can be set up to ensure this number is not exceeded.

Hives are best sited away from the paths and lanes on the site. The bees should be encouraged to fly over high hedges, fences or 2m screens around the hives, especially if their flight path crosses a path or lane.

Please try to ensure that long objects are not accessible near the hives, as they can be used to push them over.

Hives need to be inspected weekly from April to July in accordance with BBKA guidelines.

The beekeeper must take all necessary steps to minimise as far as possible the issue of swarms.

Swarm Collectors

Please be aware that we have three registered swarm collectors on site.

These are Charles Bradley Smith who can be contacted on 07889 164784,

David Fairest on 07913 084965 and Alex Kurtago on 07786 627795 should any swarms be found on site which need collecting urgently.

Duty of Care - Your Responsibilities

The beekeeper owes a duty of care to:

the public in the vicinity of the hives
other visitors to the Allotment
intruders (even if it is clear that their intention was to disturb the colony)

It is the responsibility of the beekeeper to inform, in advance, adjoining houses and plot-holders in the vicinity of the hives, of their intention to site hives and to address any concerns / answer any queries that others may have. If objections are raised on allergy or medical grounds and the Beighton Allotment Association is satisfied that it is substantiated, permission may be refused to keep bees on the plot.

The beekeeper must ensure that their up-to-date contact details are readily available to the Association Secretary and ideally their immediate plot neighbours, in case of emergency.

The contact details of the Committee Member with responsibility for beekeeping on the Beighton Allotment Association (currently David Fairest) is available on this website and on the noticeboard outside the shop. Any documents which are required to be lodged with the Beighton Allotment Association should be sent to the Association Secretary (currently Mark Kirby) by emailing them to beightonallotmentassociation@gmail.com

Training

Beekeeping on the allotment must carried out by someone with experience and knowledge. Evidence of training from a recognised body such as the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) must be provided. On first putting a hive or nucleus on site, evidence of this training and your local bee keeping association group membership needs to be submitted to beightonallotmentassociation@gmail.com .

Insurance

The beekeeper is responsible for insuring the hives. Insurance cover must be maintained and on renewal, the insurance certificate needs to be sent to beightonallotmentassociation@gmail.com each year that you intend keeping bees on your plot. The policy must specifically cover all beekeeping risks and include third party liability of at least £1million. (The British Bee Keepers Association (BBKA) can offer public liability insurance, for example). Evidence of insurance must be provided. Documentation will be reviewed on an annual basis when plot rent is due.

Here is a link to an information leaflet from the BBKA on Allotment Beekeeping:-

https://www.bbka.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=155581d4-c4f8-498e-9101-eb5ed7c2bcca

Here is a link to the National Allotment Site guidance on Allotment Beekeeping:-

https://www.nsalg.org.uk/allotment-info/hens-bees-and-other-animals-allotment-beekeeping/

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse