EDBK Annual General Meeting
Held at Kilmington Village Hall on Thursday 6th November 2025
Before the AGM, Hilary Kirkcaldie called for a minutes silence in memory of those members who had passed away during the last year: David Wiscombe, Chris Charlton, Ges Pelham and Baruch Livney.
The AGM was efficiently run as all the reports had been circulated beforehand.
Election of President, Officers and Committee for 2025/26
A big thank you to the 46 members who attended the AGM and voted in your new Committee.
| President | Hilary Kirkcaldie |
| Chair | Alasdair Bruce |
| Treasurer | Keith Bone |
| Secretary | Val Bone |
| Committee members | John Badley, Mary Boulton, Marion Coleman, Ralph Cox, Rhiannon Hodson, Andy Potter, Nick Silver, Stan Wroe |
| Delegate to the Devon EC | John Badley |
In her Secretaries report, Val drew attention to the fact that Rosie Maggs retires from the committee this year. Val warmly thanked Rosie for her years of service on the committee, and she was presented with a floral gift by president Hilary Kirkcaldie.
Successful candidates in the 2025 Basic examination were announced; Sophie Benger, Abigail Brister, Charles David-Purdon and Sarah Sanders, with Sophie being the winner of the Craythorne Cup, for achieving highest marks in the group. Andrew Bartlett was presented with his Module 1 Certificate and Sue Stokes was presented with her Honeybee Health Certificate.
The Branch Teaching Apiary
Keith Bone and David Shale have stepped down from the post of joint apiary managers and the branch apiary will be run from now on by the team of trained volunteers.
There continues to be a problem with colony losses over winter apparently due to starvation, despite the presence of stores in the affected colonies. The Team will be treating with oxalic acid mid winter where necessary.
East Devon Beekeepers attendance at Local Shows
East Devon were represented at Honiton Show, Goren Farm Festival, Colyford Goose Fayre, Stockland Fayre, Dalwood Country Fayre, Hawkchurch Village Fete and Whimple Fest 2025. These smaller local shows seem to be popular with the public and allow East Devon Beekeepers to fulfil our remit of spreading the word about the importance of pollinators in the environment, plus engaging the public on topics such as yellow legged hornets. They also act to recruit possible candidates for our annual Beginners Beekeeping Course.
The BBKA education system
After the formal business, Sue Stokes gave a short presentation on the BBKA education system.
Why learn more?
Fundamentally, knowing more about bees will make you a better beekeeper. Further knowledge will take the guesswork out of bee management, providing more confidence and more reward for successfully rearing healthy, strong colonies.
Basic Certificate
Starting on the left hand side, the first target for new beekeepers is the Basic Certificate (in blue), essentially a practical assessment of a candidate’s knowledge. It consists of four sections:
- Manipulation of a colony and interpretation of what you see.
- Oral questioning and assessment of your knowledge of Natural History and beekeeping.
- Oral questioning on swarming and swarm control.
- Oral questioning on disease and pests.
You will also be expected to make up a frame in the BBKA-approved manner.
Honey Bee Health Assessment
To take this practical test you must have passes the Basic Assessment, had at least 3 years beekeeping experience and demonstrate a range of beekeeping skills. Recommended to take before the General Husbandry is attempted.
The syllabus covers hygiene, pests and diseases, practical tasks such as brood inspection and collecting a sample. Candidates are expected to demonstrate either a shook swarm or a Bailey frame change on a weak colony.
General Husbandry Assessment and Advanced Husbandry Assessment
These assessments are for beekeepers who prefer the practical approach rather than written exams. For the General Assessment you need to have managed a colony for at least five years, the assessment will be held in your apiary, and your hive record(s) will be inspected. Topics covered are:
- Handling and general management.
- Queen rearing.
- Four practical tasks.
- Honey bee products and discussion.
The Advanced Husbandry Assessment is intended for those aspiring to lecture and demonstrate the craft to others. It is held at BBKA Stoneleigh.
The Modules
These are written exams. The Intermediate Certificate will be awarded after achieving a pass in Mod 1, 2, 3 and one other from Mod 5, 6 & 7. The Advanced Theory Certificate will be awarded when all seven Modules have been successfully passed, with Mod 8 being the last one to be taken.
There are two Supplementary Modules: Plants and Pollinators, and History of Beekeeping.
Other Assessments – must have passed the Basic
- Bee Breeding – held in the candidate’s apiary.
- Microscopy – for beekeepers with an interest in anatomy, pollen, and diseases relevant to honeybees. Held at the candidates apiary.
- Show Judge – multiple criteria apply to qualify for the award including holding at least 70 or more prizes of at least third prize.
Support
- All details of the exam system can be found at https://learning.bbka.org.uk/ – you will need your BBKA membership number and postcode to sign in to the learning portal.
- In addition, there is support on the BBKA website, https://www.bbka.org.uk/, and the BBKA shop.
- East Devon beekeepers website has pages for Beginners, Get Started – East Devon Beekeepers.
- The National Bee Unit – https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/
- Social media – caution required.
- EDBK library – contact librarian@edbk.co.uk.
- Come along to summer and winter meetings, read periodicals, e.g. BBKA News, Devon Beekeeping Magazine, and The BuzzMail.