Welcome to Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells Branch
Sevenoaks & Tunbridge Wells is a branch of the Kent Beekeepers' Association.
[If you click on any underlined word in blue on this web page, it will take you to another related page.]
This is a 'picture postcard' hive but is it the most popular? See how our members critically rated the various types of hive that they operate in the 'pros and cons' pdf document. Click on 'Types of Hive'.
Membership: We currently have 124 members, roughly in a 5/10 mile radius of Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells. The 124 includes 11 new beekeepers who have joined over the last year. A number of our members have been beekeeping for many years, some over 50 years!
If you have an interest in bees watch this stunning slow motion 6 minute video to see what has maintained their passion for so many years.Click on this link: Dance of the Honey Bee to perhaps spark your enthusiasm as well. Then, if you would like to learn more, a good way of doing just that would be to join our Branch.
Simply click on 'Membership' and you will have made your first step to becoming a beekeeper! The second step is to fill in the membership form and return it to our Treasurer & Membership Secretary Richard Knight, at 38, Warham Road, Otford, Kent TN14 5PF.
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!
'2013 Programme': Indoor meetings start again in the autumn on Tuesday 17th September at Weald Memorial Hall TN14 6PS. Use Google maps for directions and for their web page click on 'Weald Hall'.
Our apiary meetings at Barrwood and at Hilbert Road will start at the beginning of March and continue until the end of September.
The full '2013 programme' is detailed under 'Meetings & Events'.
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 either of our 2 Apiary Sites:
Barr Wood Apiary TN11 is on the Hildenborough Road between Shipbourne and Hildenborough. For details contact our Manager Bret McCulloch on 01732 811050 for confirmation of the meeting date and directions on how to get to the site.
Hilbert Rd Apiary TN2 in Tunbridge Wells is managed by Ellen Montelius 01892 532190. Contact Ellen for details of meetings and directions on how to get to the site.
Meetings start at 2.00 p.m.on Saturdays. Dates are detailed under 'Meetings & Events' in the '2013 Programme'. If the weather in the morning looks unsuitable for beekeeping ring the respective manager to check first, before venturing out.
Watch this recent short video [9.25 mins.] to see hive inspections in 2009 at Barrwood Apiary, by clicking on:'BarrWood2009'
Or to see some of our meetings in 2012, watch this video: 'BarrWood2012' [30 mins]
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 Sarah Rapley and 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.
