Benefits of HRBKA

Joining the Hastings and Rother Beekeepers Association (HRBKA) provides a combination of essential legal protections, expert education, and a local social network. Because HRBKA is a division of the Sussex Beekeepers Association (SBKA) and is affiliated with the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), your membership covers you at a local, county, and national level.

The core benefits:

1. Financial & Legal Protection

Beekeeping carries unique risks, and membership provides the necessary “safety net” that is often required if you keep bees on allotments or private land.

    • Public & Product Liability Insurance: You are covered for up to £10 million in the event that your bees cause accidental damage or injury to the public. It also covers you when selling hive products like honey and wax at local fairs.

    • Bee Diseases Insurance (BDI): Standard membership typically includes insurance for your first three colonies against “notifiable diseases” (like European and American Foulbrood) that require the destruction of hives by the Bee Inspector. You can pay a small top-up fee for more colonies.

2. Education & Expert Resources

Beekeeping is a steep learning curve; HRBKA provides the “human” element that books cannot.

    • Association Apiary Access: You can attend hands-on sessions at the HRBKA teaching apiary in the summer to practice hive management before (or after) getting your own bees.

    • Winter Lectures: A programme of monthly talks (often held in local village halls) featuring guest speakers on topics like queen rearing, honey processing, and Asian Hornet monitoring.

    • Library & Equipment Hire: Access to a specialized library of beekeeping books and the ability to hire expensive equipment like Honey Extractors, which most beginners don’t want to buy immediately.

3. Communications & Magazines

You stay informed through three different levels of news:

 

    • BBKA News: The monthly national magazine delivered to your door, containing the latest scientific research and national beekeeping trends.

    • Bee Scene: Our monthly email newsletter keeping you up to date with events and local beekeeping information.

    • Whatsapp Community: Become a member of our online community to get instant announcements and updates along with asking questions of other local beekeepers for advice and reporting swarms.

4. Community & Social Events

 

    • The Annual Honey Show: An opportunity to enter your honey, wax, and hive products into competitions to win local trophies.

    • BBKA Exams: If you wish to progress, membership allows you to take the BBKA’s nationally recognized assessments and modules (from “Basic Assessment” up to “Master Beekeeper”).

Membership provides essential legal protections, expert education, and a local social network. As a division of the Sussex Beekeepers Association (SBKA) and affiliated with the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), your coverage spans local, county, and national levels.

🛡️ 1. Financial & Legal

Public & Product Liability: Covered for up to £10 million for accidental damage, injury, or selling honey/wax products.

Bee Diseases Insurance (BDI): Full Membership covers your first three colonies against "notifiable diseases" (EFB/AFB) requiring hive destruction. Additional cover for up to 39 colonies available.

🎓 2. Education & Resources

Association Apiary: Hands-on summer sessions at our teaching apiary to practice management skills.

Winter Lectures: Monthly expert talks on queen rearing, honey processing, and Asian Hornet monitoring.

📬 3. Communications

BBKA News: Monthly national magazine delivered to your door with the latest research.

WhatsApp & Bee Scene: Instant local advice, swarm reporting, and our monthly email newsletter.

🏆 4. Community & Social

Annual Honey Show: Compete with your honey and wax products to win recognized local trophies.

BBKA Exams: Access recognized assessments from "Basic Assessment" up to "Master Beekeeper."