HAMPSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION

From: The Hon. Treasurer Jim Stuart,

Pear Tree Cottage,

Tel No: 01264 323185 Upper Clatford,

Andover,

Hampshire,SP11 7QL

Charity Number: 100995

July 2016

Application for Heather Permit –2016

I enclose this year’s application form andthe list of sites made available by the Forestry Commission with the Keepers’ names and telephone numbers.

THERE ARE CHANGES - LOCATION AND AS A RESULT OF HEATHER BURNING SO PLEASE TALK WITH THE RELEVANT KEEPER AND DO A RECCE FIRST.

Please place hives sensibly: far enough from public footpaths to avoid any nonsense and away from other’s hives – a minimum of 25 metres separation is sensible.

Feesare:Forestry Commission at £3.60 a hive plus anHBA administration fee of £1.50 per member.

Over the past few years we have asked you to put contact telephone numbers on the hives with the ID number and Forestry Commission sticker that we provide: this has proveda successful change so pleasecontinue the practice. It allows me to identify an owner quickly and easily once I am advised of a problem.

Beekeepers should also be aware that they are moving their bees to an area which has historically suffered from EFB. In HBA’s efforts to help the National Bee Unit control diseases, colonies may be inspected by National Bee Unit Inspectors whilst they are at the sites: any inspection will be made with the owner's agreement. These inspections will occur if a notifiable disease is found within 5 Km of each site: details of the Beekeepers and Inspections will be appended to Beebase.

Please return the completed form, together with your cheque (made payable to HBA) andan A4 SAE(large stamp)as soon as you can and I will process the paperwork and send you the permit, maps and key:please ensure you use a LARGE stamp with the A4 envelope.

Lastly, for those who receive this through the post,if youhave email please let me have your email address – it will help keep the administration fee down and reduce waste.

Yours sincerely,

Jim

Encl: 2016 heather permit application form and list of sites available