About us

The Meon Valley Beekeepers Association is based in Hampshire, residing in the beautiful Meon Valley. 
The valley covers a wide a wide area, stretching from Alton to the north, Horndean to the east, Wickham to the south and Chandlers Ford to the west. 
We have been around for over 70 years and during that time our members have enjoyed helping people throughout this area to learn and successfully practise the craft of beekeeping. Our members include novices with one or two hives and experts with a great many. Committee members run winter courses to introduce people to beekeeping. These are very successful and provide recruits for several local associations. Our Association  takes part in a number of summer shows and it is usual for our members to do well with prizes at honey shows.

We believe that beekeeping should be fun and new members of any age will receive a warm welcome with free help and training from experienced beekeepers as well as help in obtaining bees and equipment. Other benefits of Meon Valley Beekeepers or MVBKA membership include:

•  Interesting winter meetings covering bee management, honey processing, making mead and candles, honey cookery and equipment

•  Pleasant summer visits to other beekeepers' apiaries - a great opportunity to see how other people keep bees, usually ending with a delicious tea! We also hold a nunber of apiary meetings  just for beginner beekeepers, during which they will get the chance to handle bees under the guidance of a more experienced beekeeper.

• Mentoring for new beekeepers.

• Tutoring for members who have kept bees for a minimum of two years and are planning to sit the Basic Beekeeping Assessment in the early spring. This is a practical assessment.

• Social events include our cheese and wine party, the Christmas party, beekeeping picnics and country shows

• Our famous annual bee auction with bees and beekeeping equipment bargains

• A monthly newsletter, up-to-date beekeeping leaflets, bee disease insurance and equipment hire

One of the best ways to learn about beekeeping is to join a local association. If you live in the Meon Valley Hampshire then the best place to start is with us, the Meon Valley Beekeepers Association ( MVBKA ). We will also offer an equally warm welcome to members outside of this area.

Membership        Over 90 full time members, plus associates and  family members.
Subscription        Full member £28.00, Associate members £10.00 and Family members £1 .50
Newsletter            Monthly
Winter meetings   Monthly from October to April on the second Thursday in the Warnford Hall
Summer meetings   Monthly from May to September on Saturday or Sunday