Membership

We recommend membership, especially if you are new to beekeeping, or looking to start keeping bees. Membership of your local branch provides you with many benefits. By becoming part of your local branch you are also part of the Lancashire & North West Beekeepers Association and the BBKA our National organisation.

Joining as one of the BBKA recognised membership categories entitles you to membership of the BBKA at a discounted rate and, depending on the category chosen, these can also include public liability insurance, bee diseases insurance and the monthly magazine, BBKA News.

Registered Branch membership is £30.00 

If you keep bees or are planning to in the next 12 months then we strongly recommend you become a  Registered member of the BBKA, it includes:

• Membership of the BBKA

• Monthly magazine BBKA News

• £10m third party public liability insurance and product liability insurance

• Bee disease insurance (BDI) for up to three hives (with the opportunity to pay additional fees to cover more hives) 

• Regular branch meetings, to meet other like minded friendly beekeepers and learn more from regular talks and presentations

• Support for new beekeepers, including a FREE online Introduction to Beekeeping Course, practical training at our Apiary and ongoing support

• Loan of branch equipment and books

• Participate as a volunteer at the Southport Flower Show

Partner Membership is £20.00

If you jointly keep bees with another person residing at the same address you are recommended to opt for Partner Membership. This provides all the benefits of the Registered Member except BBKA News. Obviously there is no need to pay for BDI insurance as the colonies are insured by the Registered Member.

Junior Membership is £15.50

If you keep bees and are aged under 18 on the 1st November, you may join as a Junior Member. This provides the same benefits as a Registered Member but with BDI Insurance. If your parents do not keep bees we can arrange BDI insurance so please contact us. If you are below the age of 16 we are unable to offer insurance policies and these must be taken out by a parent or guardian residing at the same address. 

Country Membership is £16.00

If you do not keep bees, you may join as a Country Member. This provides all the benefits of a Registered Member but without public liability or BDI insurance.

Please contact Vanessa Wakefield for more information or if you are unsure which category you should be applying for: vanessa.wakefield@southportbeekeepers.co.uk