| | Notices  | See what's new in West Sussex News will be posted here from time-to-time so please come back regularly. | | South East Regional Bee Inspector Thomas Bickerdike is the Regional Bee Inspector for the South East region. To contact Thomas e-mail: [email protected] or telephone: 07775 119464 Diane Steele is the Seasonal Bee Inspector for the region e-mail: [email protected] or telephone: 07775 119452 www.nationalbeeunit.com | 
| | BBKA Insurance This year the BBKA has taken out an insurance policy with Aviva that includes public & product liability cover for members for the period 4th October 2023 - 3rd October 2024. Aviva does not issue certificates for public & product liability. However, Aston Lark the Association’s insurance broker has provided a 'To Whom It May Concern' document for members to use if you are required to prove you have insurance cover. This year all the insurance documents have been stored on the bbkanews.com website under 'BBKA Documents'. The website has undergone some work to link it with the eR2 membership database which means that only active members of the BBKA can login to the site. If you need to view the instructions on how to login to www.bbkanews.com use this link : instructions.The 'Frequently Asked Questions' document has been reviewed with the broker and this too is available to view on the bbkanews.com website. | 
| | Defra Covid-19 Update October 2020 Defra has updated its advice to beekeepers on managing colonies during the pandemic. Download here. | 
| | Plan Bee Ltd. The Scottish-based company has again announced its plans to continue its business in the South of England in West Sussex. A number of commercial colonies will be established in the east of the county. Their new CEO has recently spoken to our secretary and explained that the company is now under totally new management with a new business model. Their strategy is now to use local beekeepers to manage small numbers of colonies in limited areas and they are now using locally-bred queens. Access their website here. | 
| | Small Hive Beetle On 11th September 2014 the Italian National Reference Centre for beekeeping confirmed the first detection of the presence of Small Hive Beetle (SHB) in South West Italy, in the port city of Gioia Tauro. The destruction of previously infected hives last year has proved ineffective in halting the spread of the beetle and eight further outbreaks have been confirmed in Calabria. Members are advised to remain vigilant for the detection of SHB within their colonies and if an infestation is suspected to advise the NBU immediately. The Regional Bee Inspector's details can be found above. The National Bee Unit will be carrying out a contingency exercise on 2nd & 3rd August 2023 in apiaries across the Petersfield area of Hampshire & into neighbouring areas of West Sussex, designed to mimic an incursion and spread of the small hive beetle. This is only an exercise but the co-operation of local beekeepers will be sought as testing of the contingency procedures is carried out and the effectiveness and responsiveness to an outbreak are measured. | 
| | BBKA Number for Members Due to the volume of calls that the BBKA has been experiencing, the Association is very much aware that Members have had problems contacting the main office. As a consequence an additional line has been installed so that BBKA may answer calls from members more quickly and efficiently. Priority will be given to those using the new number which is purely for Member queries and requests; the number to call is 02476 698620. The current number will, when all staff are on calls, be on an automated system, with no answerphone capability. | 
| | Bees For development The charity's aim is to assist people living in poor countries to achieve sustainable livelihoods through beekeeping. Visit their website: www.beesfordevelopment.org www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=5322684264460530&id=104351012960574 | 
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