Surrey Bees Training (SBT) Apiary Rules

These apiary rules are for entry to both the Wisley Training and/or the Pyrford Members Apiary site.

1. Visitors to the apiary must have read the apiary rules and abide by them.
2. Anyone showing symptoms of Covid-19 and/ or shielding should not attend the apiary.
3. Protective clothing must be worn before entering the apiary area.  Leather gloves are not permitted as they are nearly impossible to clean properly and could spread disease.
4. Any member or visitor to the apiary should on arrival inform the SBT team if they are susceptible to a serious allergic reaction to bee or wasp stings and if so, whether they carry an epipen. If SBT team are not informed, SBT cannot be held responsible for possible consequences.
5. No minor under the age of 18, will be allowed in the apiary unless accompanied by their parent or guardian, all wearing the appropriate protective clothing.
6. If a visitor gets stung they must inform the trainer immediately; a first aid kit is always available. If they then start to feel unwell, they must inform the trainer. In the case of a serious accident or anaphylactic shock, telephone the emergency services, 111 or 999.  The location of Wisley Training Site is: Wisley Golf Club, The Courtyard, Wisley GU23 6QL and the Pyrford Members Apiary Site: Water Works Gate, on Pyrford Golf Club, @ Warren Lane, GU22 8XE.
7. SBT permission must be given before hiving a colony of bees at the SBT apiary. Each owner shall ensure that every colony they have on the site will bear some mark identifying their property and hive records completed, kept under the roof with owners name.
8. There is a small surcharge for keeping colonies at the apiary. (£6 for up to 2 colonies per annum). Additional colonies are available to be kept at the discretion of SBT, and charged accordingly. Only SBT Members who have paid annual membership including BDI can keep hives at the apiary, with the agreement of SBT.
9. The owner retains full responsibility for the safety of others, for complying with the statutory regulations and for the proper upkeep and security of the colonies and equipment, ill-tempered, dangerous, diseased or mismanaged colonies will not be tolerated.  In the event of an inability to inspect hives due to illness or other emergency one of the SBT team must be advised.
10. Each member is responsible for providing their own equipment and for making sure that their hive tools are clean before and after use.  If opening their own hives in the absence of one of the SBT team, they are solely responsible for any accident or mishap to their own or any other hive due to their activities. They will inform the Directors of Surrey Bees Training (K Findlater / L Ragosa-Rout) that they will be attending the apiary. If they are not fully confident that the weights to be lifted are within their capacity, they should obtain assistance.
11. Should SBT suspect that there is an issue with a hive, which may be detrimental to the rest of the colonies at the site, they may, having informed the owner, inspect the hive.
12. Treatment of the colonies against communicable bee diseases and parasites will be carried out with the knowledge and supervision of the SBT team, who may issue special instructions from time to time to deal with a particular threat. SBT will coordinate treatments and all hives at the apiary will be treated at the same time with the same product; likewise honey will be harvested at the same time to avoid robbing and fed at the same time.
13. Swarms found in the apiary will be treated as feral, unless seen leaving the hive and then the SBT team will work with the owner to collect the swarm, where possible.
14. By placing a hive in the apiary an owner agrees that if they consistently fail to comply with the apiary rules or instructions from the SBT team they will be asked to remove their hives.
15. All apiary members shall confirm that their BDI INSURANCE covers all their hives wherever located. They must not exceed their insured limit for however short a time. If they do so, the insurance cover for all the hives in the apiary becomes invalid.
16. All apiary members are required to contribute to the management and general upkeep of the apiary by participating in maintenance working parties on certain dates to be agreed.