We’re a friendly bunch of honey bee enthusiasts who meet at 7pm on the last Wednesday of almost every month. We meet at Houghall College, Durham, UK for bee-related conversation and information. We don’t meet in August or December (although there’s a quiz or a social evening at the start of December) and in June there’s a BBQ instead of a meeting, usually at a member’s home.
Each month a different speaker comes to the meeting to share information and expertise, and there’s always an opportunity to pop in to the nearby Rose Tree Inn in Shincliffe at the end of every meeting. Beginners are welcome – you don’t even have to have your own bees yet, just come along to find out more, although you will have to join (£25) if you want to keep coming to the meetings. And the courses run by the Association are excellent – whether you want to start from scratch as a beginner, or you’re ready to take the next steps into intermediate beekeeping.
We hope to run a Beginners’ Course early this summer – please attend a meeting at Houghall for more information. The Intermediate Course may also be running so if you’ve been keeping bees for a couple of years then contact the Association for further details.
The Association has a library of interesting books, available to borrow for members, and members are often willing to help out newer beekeepers who need a bit of mentoring or support, or a hand with equipment. We also have a busy and lively apiary which is used for courses, and is open to members at certain times each month to visit and experience beekeeping with other members.
The Association has been running for many years and the first 35 years of the group has been documented in a book available to purchase at association meetings. 2017 was our 40th year. In addition, the association’s archives are available to view at Durham County Record Office by appointment (Accession No. 8518, Class No. D/X).