Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells Branch

Sevenoaks & Tunbridge Wells is a branch of the Kent Beekeepers' Association

Swarm of Bees on a Branch.

If you need advice or help with a newly arrived swarm simply click on : the Swarms page.

Membership: We currently have 142 members, roughly in a 5/10 mile radius of Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells. The 142 includes 10 new beekepers who have joined over the last year. To join simply click on: the Membership page.

2012 Programme: Talks continue on Wednesday 22nd February and will be held at St Lawrence Village Hall, TN15 0LL.  Look at their web page http://www.stlvh.org.uk/ for location details etc.The Autumn talks start on Tuesday 18th September these will be held at St Edith's Hall, Kemsing TN15 6NA. Look on: http://www.kemsingpc.kentparishes.gov.uk/default.cfm?pid=3222 for location details.The full 2012 programme is detailed under 'Meetings & Events'.

Apiary Sites: There are two Apiary sites; Barr Wood Apiary on the Hildenborough Road between Shipbourne and Hildenborough, and Hilbert Road Apiary in Tunbrdge Wells TN2 3RY. Meetings start at 2.00 p.m. on Saturdays in the Spring through to the Autumn. Dates are detailed under 'Meetings & Events' in the 2012 programme.

Watch this recent short video [9.25 mins.] to see an inspection of our hives at Barrwood Apiary, by clicking on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eRU4sf8ZTo

Try Us: If you are interested in bees or beekeeping you are welcome to attend any of our meetings. Depending which Apiary is nearest to you contact the Apiary Managers of: 

Barr Wood Apiary, Tonbridge:  for details of meetings contact our Manager, Bret McCulloch on 01732 811050 for confirmation of the meeting date and directions on how to get to the site.However if you enter 'Barr Wood, TN11' into Google Maps you will get a map of the Apiary location.

Hilbert Road Apiary, Tunbridge Wells: is being managed by Clive Allcorn, so contact him first on 01892 730311. If you use 'Sat-Nav' or Google maps you will find the Apiary is opposite No 14, Hilbert Road TN2 3RY.

Benefits of joining our Branch: As well as a full calendar of meetings during the year, you meet other like minded people who have a combined wealth of many, many years experience who are only too willing to help. Discuss your successes and failures with them and they will certainly have had many failures over the years, and their wealth of knowledge may turn those failures into successes for the future. Always remember though, bees are like any livestock, they do not read the same text books as we do! If you wish to join, fill in the membership form under 'Membership' and return it to our Treasurer & Membership Secretary Richard Knight, his contact details are given under 'Contacts'.

Beekeeping Equipment: One financial benefit of membership of Sevenoaks & Tunbridge Wells Branch is that you can order items from the Thornes catalogue at a discount, through John Hendrie our Chairman. His contact details are given under 'Contacts'. We have recently bought an extractor, which is available for hire at £5.00. to members.

Library: The Library of 40+ books is available to members and is looked after by Bret McCulloch our Barr Wood Apiairy Manager. The list of available books is detailed under 'Bee Books' Section.

Insurance: You can also avail yourself of a Third Party Insurance cover for possible legal problems and cover for colony losses.