Membership is open to anyone keeping bees or interested in the craft of beekeeping.
Why join?
Beekeeping is a fascinating and rewarding activity but at times can be challenging. Caring for bees, like caring for any livestock, can be affected by adverse weather, pests, disease and bad luck.
Successful beekeeping requires a degree of dedication to acquire knowledge and understanding of bees and their needs. Also, in this global world with its changing climate, it is necessary to keep up to date with developments.
Membership of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is one of the best ways to access knowledge and keep abreast of beekeeping news. Joining a local branch has the added advantage of shared experience and personal support through the bad times as well as the good.
There are four levels of membership: Registered and Partner members are registered as beekeepers with BBKA and are covered by Bee Disease Insurance (BDI). Junior members are not automatically covered for BDI unless requested on the membership form. Local membership is for those without bees.
Membership benefits
Depending on your level of membership you will receive:
- BBKA membership, which entitles you to a discount at National Bee Supplies, Okehampton.
- BDI certificate covering you against various third party liabilities and colony losses.
- Monthly issues of BBKA News from the British Beekeepers’ Association.
- 10 issues each year of ‘Beekeeping, The journal of the Devon Beekeeper’s Association’.
- Access to the DBKA Members Section with association rules, contacts, useful information and a directory of DBKA members.
- Invitation to attend meetings of the other DBKA branches (with prior agreement of branch secretary).
- Access to branch library of beekeeping books.
- Access to a variety of beekeeping equipment for members to borrow for home use.
- The opportunity to attend group training events.
- The opportunity to attend lectures, workshops and conventions.
Subscription Fees 2025
Registered (Full) Member:
£31.00 (including BDI for up to three colonies)
Partner Member:
£18.00 (including BDI for up to three colonies)
Junior Member:
£12.50 (BDI not included)
Local Member:
£6.00
Payment can be by BACS or cheque (which should be posted with your form to the address given).
For more information on the categories and additional BDI supplements for more than three colonies, see the membership form.