MBKA Events for 2024
Upcoming Events
If you are not a member and wish to join us at any meetings, our want to come meet us before joing please contact our secretary at admin@medwaybeekeepers.co.uk
12-14th April – Harper Adams University – Spring Convention
20th April – St Lukes Hall, Rochester – 1000-1200 – Asian Hornet Talk
29th April – Apiary – 1900-2100 – Intro to Beekeeping 1
13th April – Apiary – 1900-2100 – Intro to Beekeeping 2
4th May – Apiary – 1000-1200 – Asian Hornet Update
18th May – Noke St Farm – 1400 – Apiary Visit
3rd June – Apiary – 1900-2100 – Intro to Beekeeping 3
10th June – Apiary – 1900-2100 – Intro to Beekeeping 4
17th June – Apiary – 1900-2100 – Intro to Beekeeping 5
22nd June – Apiary – All day – Intro to Beekeeping 6
5-7th July – Detling Showground – All Day – Kent Agricultural Show
7-8th Sept – Elmcourt Garden Centre – All Day – MBKA Honey Show
A Past Event
The Official Opening of The Pavilion Apiary and our 100th Anniversary.
Saturday 30th July 2022
We have arrived! Our new Association Apiary is up and running and our official opening yesterday (30 July 2022) coincided with our 100th anniversary – Medway Beekeeping Association was founded in 1922. Sonia Belsey has created a display in the Apiary building with photographs and articles from 1922. There are also ‘before and after’ photographs of the present site and building.
We were finally able to leave our City Road apiary this year, and want to express our thanks to Margaret Patching for the use of that site. Our departure was much delayed due to Covid. We have to thank Bob Smith for initially finding this new site with its buildings including the old pavilion, which had been the Mockbeggar Cricket Club.
We negotiated with the local tenant farmer, John Myatt, for the use of the building and a piece of the field for the apiary. So our thanks must go to him for offering us this
The design of the apiary area and the renovation of the pavilion is due to the determined leadership of Mark Ballard, our Apiary Manager. He was helped over the long months of renovation by a determined and enthusiastic team of volunteers. Our sincere thanks must go to all of them.
We were delighted that Councillor Elizabeth Turpin, her husband (also a councillor), and two of her children were able to join us for the afternoon. Elizabeth cut the ceremonial ribbon to declare the Apiary open, and gave a warm and supportive speech.
After this, we were able to honour the memory of our first Education Officer, Terry Clare. Terry’s widow, Pat, was with us and planted a tree beside the Apiary. Obviously , we chose a bee-friendly tree, Amelanchier, which has white flowers in the early spring. And we have a dedicated the bench to Terry with a plaque which celebrates his work in beekeeping education.
And then it was time to relax in each other’s company, and enjoy the wonderful sandwiches, cakes, and tea provided by Sheila and John Stunell. Around 70 people came together for this occasion. Members brought partners, grandchildren, and friends, including some from our neighbouring association, Mid- Kent. It was a glorious day, and not just because of the weather!
