KENT BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
BROMLEY BRANCH
The Annual General Meeting of Kent Beekeepers Association/Bromley Branch will take place on
Tuesday, 18th November, 2025, at 7.30 pm, in the Apiary Allotment hall, Kent House Road, Allotments, SE26 5LJ.

AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence
2. Minutes of the 2024 AGM
3. Minutes arising
4. Chairman’s report
5. Treasurer’s report
6. Membership secretary’s report
7. Secretary’s report
8. Apiary Manager’s report
9. Education and beginners’ report
10. Outside events
11. Publicity Officer’s report
12. Asian Hornet report
13. Report of Delegates to Council
14. Election of Officers
15. Election of Delegates to Council
16. Election of Auditor
17. AOB
18. Date of the next AGM

Last years AGM report

KENT BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION – BROMLEY BRANCH
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
The Apiary Allotment Hall, SE26 5LJ – Tuesday 19th November 2024
The meeting started at 7.40pm

Those present
Martin Hemming (Chairperson) Peter Macan and Ron Findley(treasurer), Bob Jackman (vice chair),
Eileen Reevell (secretary), Dithema Chiloane, Jenny Spon-Smith, Mary Slater, Will Purvis, Claire
Joseph, Ivan Whitley, Tim Downes, Steve Ferrar, Trevor Powell, Mick Coen, Jane Forster.
Paul Bond.

Apologies for absence
Alan Lynch, Alex Miles, Tony Ashby, Grace Madden, Koral Ikiz

Minutes of the 2023 AGM
There were no matters arising and the minutes were signed. Proposed. D Chiloane,
Seconded. W Purvis.

Secretary’s report
E Reevell said that she was able to continue being the secretary if nobody else wanted to fill the
position, as much of the work can be done remotely, but expressed regret at not always being able to
attend the apiary meetings.

Treasurer’s report
P Macan expressed pleasure at being able to share the financial accounting with Ron. He reported
that apart from the membership subscriptions, the shop and fetes there has been little other financial
activity this year and we remain financially sound. P Macan thanked Linda Rapley and W Purvis for
successfully integrating the useable 2021 Thorne stock with the new purchases. The records of the
stock are now in order. The use of the Sumup Card Reader will now help ensure stock sales records
are scrupulously kept.
The accountant, Anne Fletcher, will be retiring so B Jackman will make enquiries as to her
successor.

Membership Secretary’s report
R Findley expressed delight at getting to grips with the eR2 system that Steve Clarkson, the
membership secretary of the KBKA, is experienced with.
The membership of the Bromley Branch continues to remain constant. There are now 4 classes of
membership; Registered, Junior, Partner Member (Friend with BBKA Insurance) and Friend.

Outside events
M Slater reported that Kent House Open Day was very successful regards the amount of honey sold
and the interest shown in bees and beekeeping.
Cudham was less busy and less honey was sold, possibly due to the increased price. Some honey
was sold in ½ lb jars.
The branch did not attend the Keston event as the date was changed and there was little honey left
to sell.
Only a small amount of honey was sold at the KHLG social event which was was attended by 4
members
Mary thanked all the members who staffed the events with special thanks to P Bond and W Purvis
for their wonderful bacon rolls.
M Coen suggested we consider Nunhead Cemetery as a venue next year and reserve honey for
K H Allotments Open Day.
January 5th was confirmed for the New Year BBQ.

Apiary report
M Coen reported it had been a very good year with 11 healthy colonies with 3 given away.
Queen rearing will be the goal for 2025. The area at the bottom has been cleared ready for the wild
garden and the apiary woodwork has been been painted with preservative.
Mick thanked Steve, Tim and Simon for their hard work for 2-3 hours every Tuesday.

Education report
B Jackman reported that no beginners’ education days were held due to a combination of poor
spring weather and intermittent interest by just a few people. The beginner evening sessions were
not initiated.
In late spring 2 retirees were keen to learn and regularly attended M Coen’s Tuesday management
sessions. R Findley was congratulated at passing the basic assessment exam in the summer.
School sessions have been in demand with 3 local schools visited, with one school visit imminent.
Bob expressed delight at the successful year recent beginners, I Whitley and A Miles, have had with
their colonies expanding.
It is hoped the winter talks will have a basic beekeeping emphasis to encourage the beginners.

Election of Officers
Chairperson – M Hemming Proposed C Joseph Seconded J Spon-Smith
Vice Chair – B Jackman Prop M Coen Sec D Chiloane
Treasurer & Membership Secretary – Ron Findley Prop M Slater Sec P Bond
Secretary – E Reevell Prop C Joseph Sec B Jackman
Apiary Manager – M Coen Prop W Purvis Sec M Slater
Publicity – S Turner Prop M Slater Sec E Reevell
AHAT Coordinator – G Madden Prop B Jackman Sec W Purvis.
KBKA Council Delegates – M Hemming and I Whitley
All appointments were passed without opposition

Committee Members
M Hemming, R Findley, B Jackman E Reevell, M Slater, M Coen, S Ferrar, A Miles.
AOB
B Jackman commented that Asian Hornets have not been an issue in the apiary, although there was
an unconfirmed sighting in the Westerham area. He warned that next year may be different and we
need to be prepared.
Possible speakers for the winter talks were discussed. Bob will enquire after John Chapman and
David Rutland.
The Tom Winks cup was awarded to Steve Farrar for his much appreciated swarm collecting work.
Next meeting Tuesday 18th November 2025 at 7.30 pm.
The meeting ended at 9.10 pm.