AGM 18th November 2025 @ 7:30pm
2025-11-18 19:30 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | Bromley Apiary Club, 91a Kent House Road, Sydenham, SE26 5LJ, United Kingdom
KENT BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATIONBROMLEY BRANCHThe Annual General Meeting of Kent Beekeepers Association/Bromley Branch will take place onTuesday, 18th November, 2025, at 7.30 pm, in the Apiary Allotment hall, Kent House Road, Allotments, SE26 5LJ.

AGENDA

Apologies for absence

Minutes of the 2024 AGM

Minutes arising

Chairman’s report

Treasurer’s report

Membership secretary’s report

Secretary’s report

Apiary Manager’s report

Education and beginners’ report

Outside events

Publicity Officer’s report

Asian Hornet report

Report of Delegates to Council

Election of Officers

Election of Delegates to Council

Election of Auditor

AOB

Date of the next AGM

Last years AGM report

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apiary reportM 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 wildgarden 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 reportB Jackman reported that no beginners’ education days were held due to a combination of poorspring weather and intermittent interest by just a few people. The beginner evening sessions werenot initiated.In late spring 2 retirees were keen to learn and regularly attended M Coen’s Tuesday managementsessions. 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 withtheir colonies expanding.It is hoped the winter talks will have a basic beekeeping emphasis to encourage the beginners.

Election of OfficersChairperson – M Hemming Proposed C Joseph Seconded J Spon-SmithVice Chair – B Jackman Prop M Coen Sec D ChiloaneTreasurer & Membership Secretary – Ron Findley Prop M Slater Sec P BondSecretary – E Reevell Prop C Joseph Sec B JackmanApiary Manager – M Coen Prop W Purvis Sec M SlaterPublicity – S Turner Prop M Slater Sec E ReevellAHAT Coordinator – G Madden Prop B Jackman Sec W Purvis.KBKA Council Delegates – M Hemming and I WhitleyAll appointments were passed without opposition

Committee MembersM Hemming, R Findley, B Jackman E Reevell, M Slater, M Coen, S Ferrar, A Miles.AOBB Jackman commented that Asian Hornets have not been an issue in the apiary, although there wasan unconfirmed sighting in the Westerham area. He warned that next year may be different and weneed to be prepared.Possible speakers for the winter talks were discussed. Bob will enquire after John Chapman andDavid 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.

New Year ‘BBQ’ indoors!
2026-01-04 11:30 - 16:00 | Bromley Apiary Club, 91a Kent House Road, Sydenham, SE26 5LJ, United Kingdom
Our annual winter BBQ will be on Sunday, 4th January 2026 in the Allotment Clubhouse from 11.30am. There will be the usual wonderful refreshments and a good opportunity to socialise with other members. Everyone is very welcome including family and friends.

Anyone who is happy to help with cooking etc. please contact Mary or Bob on 020 7733 9568 or tell us at the December apiary meeting on Sunday, December 7th at 11.30am.

Winter Talks Starting January 20th
2026-01-13 19:30 - 22:00 | Kent House Road allotments pavilion, opposite Woodbastwick Road, 91a Kent House Road, London, SE26 5LJ, United Kingdom
Kent Beekeepers AssociationBromley Branch

Talks for the 2026 Season

Monthly talks from January through till April are still in preparation, but those finalised at present are shown below:-

Tuesday January 20th

Lottie Simpson – Skep Making and Art

Lottie has recently finished a fine arts degree. As she prepared for her final show Lottie made use of her interest in beekeeping. She incorporated her designs into skeps, which she taught herself to make. Back home, which happens to be Sydenham, she approached her local beekeeping group. Who knows where this might lead?

Lottie will demonstrate skep making, and illustrate how she has incorporated her designs into skeps with masks. If we give her sufficient encouragement, she may even agree to set up a skep making workshop in the future.

Tuesday March 17th

Annie McGeogh – Beekeeping as a Community Activity in South London

Annie is involved in beekeeping at a number of sites around South London. This includes a community group in Dulwich and the bees at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo. During the course of my beekeeping development I have come to realise the value of looking over my shoulder at how other people conduct their beekeeping. As a branch we largely operate as individual beekeepers. Annie will expand on the value of working with and for groups and organisations.

All talks are held in the main pavilion at Kent House Road Allotments, 91A, Kent House Road, SE21 5LJ, starting at 7.30 pm. Parking is usually available in Kent House Road, and in Woodbastwick road, just opposite the entrance to the allotments.

Tea and cake will be available at the end of the talk.

News of the remaining talks will follow in due course.

Bob Jackman

Branch Lecture - Accommodation For Honey Bees
2026-04-21 20:00 - 22:30 | Bromley Apiary Club, 91a Kent House Road, Sydenham, SE26 5LJ, United Kingdom
I am delighted to announce that next Bromley Beekeepers lecture titled ‘Accommodation For Honey Bees’ by Lottie Simpson will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday April 21st at the refurbished main pavilion at Kent House Road Allotments, 91A, Kent House Road, SE21 5LJ.
