Meetings and Events
At our monthly meetings members have the opportunity to discuss a variety of beekeeping issues and ideas. We try to include a presentation spot focusing on key topics such as swarm control, queen rearing and varroa, or talks/demonstrations from guest speakers.
Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the Community Room at Southport Fire Station, PR9 0LH. There are four flights of stairs up to the room, but a lift is available. There is a vending machine and toilets situated nearby on the same floor. We also provide the means to make yourself a drink, tea, coffee etc. but you do need to remember to bring your own mug. Entry to the fire station is opposite Cathay Garden Chinese restaurant. As we have to sign in there will be someone manning the door so please try to be on time if possible.
Next Branch Meetings
2025
All meetings start at 7.30pm unless stated otherwise
Thursday 11th December - Christmas Meeting - Social get together We will also have Susan and Shaun Fisher coming along to talk to us about making mead. Susan and Shaun won several awards at this years Southport Flower Show for their mead. You may even get to try it!
2026
Speakers will be announced once confirmed.
Thursday 8th January
Thursday 12th February
Thursday 12th March - Philippa Illsley will be talking about planting for pollinators.
Thursday 9th April - Karl Colyer will be looking at how you can help your bees become more hardy and locally adapted, including simple techniques for queen rearing. Karl has been a beekeeper since 2003 and makes his living from the 80 colonies he runs in Cheshire. Being a professional beekeeper having the best stock possible is of paramount importance. (See Karl's articles in BBKA News)
Thursday 14th May
Thursday 11th June
Thursday 9th July
Thursday 13th August - Flower Show Preparations
Thursday 10th September
Thursday 8th October
Thursday 12th November - Branch AGM
Thursday 10th December - Branch Christmas Social
There are also regular events at other branches of the Lancashire & North West Beekeepers Association that are open to us to attend. To find out what is available visit the Lancashire Beekeepers website https://www.lancashirebeekeepers.org.uk/branches
Young people at Events
Southport & District Beekeepers (S&DBK) welcomes the attendance of under 18s at our events but due to child protection requirements we require that either a guardian or parent also attends. If a child is attending an event without their parent or legal guardian, but with another guardian (older brother or sister, or a friend of the family) S&DBK requires a letter from the legal guardians/parents confirming that the other party is acting as the guardian of the child at the event.
Photography and Video taking at S&DBK Events
Please note that photographs and footage may be taken at Southport & District Beekeepers apiary, the Southport Flower Show and other meetings. These may be used by S&DBK for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website and in social media or in any third-party publication. Please contact: vanessa.wakefield@southportbeekeepers.co.uk if you have any concerns or if you wish to be exempted from this activity.
Your rights:
Should you see an image containing a picture of yourself on our website or Social Media then you have the right to request S&DBK stop using your image at any time, in which case it will not be used in future publications but may continue to appear in publications already in circulation. If you wish to exercise this right please write to: vanessa.wakefield@southportbeekeepers.co.uk