About The DBKA
From DBKA Website
Association History
Our Association was established in 1881. Our first president was His Grace the Duke of Devonshire.
Among our Vice Presidents were many nobilities including Lord Howard of Glossop, Lord Scarsdale and The Archdeacon of Derby, our current president is Ken Gillman, taking over in 2009 from the retiring president David Kemp (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/beeinspector.shtml).
In 1882 there were 120 members, much the same as today. The annual subscription in those days was five shillings for gentlemen and two and six for cottagers.
In 1897 a note in a member's record book showed he collected 250 pounds from his 14 colonies.
In 1906, the cost of sugar to feed the overwintering bees was 2.5d (1p) per pound and honey was sold at 1/- a pound (5p).
In 2005, The Association has about 130 members and growing, including some thirty Burton on Trent Branch members.
Membership Benefits
Beekeeping is a fascinating and absorbing craft but there can be problems for the beginner. By joining the local association you will have the opportunity to meet other beekeepers and gain from their experience.
Membership of the Association includes:
- Membership of Bee Diseases Insurance Ltd, which provides compensation against loss of equipment and bees due to destruction orders by the Department of Food and Rural Affairs officers.
- A programme of meetings throughout the year which caters for the educational and social needs of members.
- The services of bee advisers who are available when you need help.
- A honey extractor and a heather honey press which can be hired for £1.00 a day.
- An association newsletter issued at quarterly intervals which offers free advertising for members and from which you can buy second hand equipment at bargain prices.
- Public liability insurance
Joining the Association
Membership rates for one year are:
- Ordinary Member: £25.50
- Junior Member: £18.00
- Senior Citizen: £21.00
- Associate Member: £12.00
- Family Membership: £25.50 for the main beekeeper, plus £18 per additional household member that will manipulate the bees.
To apply for membership or to renew your existing membership, download and print out the appropriate one of the following forms, and send it with payment by cheque to the address on the form. Choose the relevant form for the branch of the association you wish to join: If you live near Burton or in Staffordshire then you may like to join the Burton Branch; if you live in Derbyshire then join the main Derbyshire association. All events run by both associations are open to all members of each association, and the same newsletter updates are sent to members of each association. The benefit of joining the association branch nearest to you is that you will be able to get more local advice and support if you need it.
New Membership Application (Derbyshire): [Word Format (http://www.dbka.org.uk/miscdocs/newderbys.doc)] [Acrobat Format (http://www.dbka.org.uk/miscdocs/newderbys.pdf)]
New Membership Application (Burton Branch): [Word Format (http://www.dbka.org.uk/miscdocs/newburton.doc)] [Acrobat Format (http://www.dbka.org.uk/miscdocs/newburton.pdf)]
Renewal form for existing Derbyshire members: [Word Format (http://www.dbka.org.uk/miscdocs/renewderbys.doc)] [Acrobat Format (http://www.dbka.org.uk/miscdocs/renewderbys.pdf)]
Renewal form for existing Burton Branch members: [Word Format (http://www.dbka.org.uk/miscdocs/renewburton.doc)] [Acrobat Format (http://www.dbka.org.uk/miscdocs/renewburton.pdf)]
Alternatively, for more information Contact the DBKA or come along to one of our monthly informal meetings.