Brief History of the Association

November 1941

Lecture on Beekeeping illustrated with lantern slides was given in Ballymena Technical school. Association formed and name agreed as Mid-Antrim Beekeepers’ Association.
1943 The Chairman, spoke on the work of the Association, during the past year and how beekeeping was flourishing in NI at the present time. He also told of the newly formed Ulster Bee Keepers Association, what it had already achieved and what it was hoped it would do for Bee Keeping in this country. Association became affiliated with UBKA and paid 6d per member to them.
1944 It was agreed that the Association obtain 3rd party insurance for its members at 5 shillings per 25 members.

An extractor was purchased.

1946 Concern was expressed at the UBKA increasing fees from 6d to 1 shilling per member.
1956 Withdrew support for the UBKA as the affiliation fees had been doubled to 2 shillings per member.
1961 An uncapping knife was purchased for the use of members at the hire rate of 1/6.
1964 The Association purchased an uncapping tray for the use of its members.
1971 All equipment moved from Ballymena to Tony Greer’s house in Cullybackey as it was more convenient for members to access.
1981 EEC Grant to Beekeepers began – a three year scheme- Mid-Antrim had be granted £209.72 per year, representing 339 hives at 61pence per hive. In accordance with Intervention Board regulations some of the money was given to members to buy sugar (£135.60), some was used for educational purposes (£24.40 towards the Junior Certificate in Beekeeping through the Federation of Irish Beekeepers), and the remaining £49.72 was put into reserve to buy future equipment.

First Honey Show held in conjunction with Ballymena Horticultural Society on 16 September 1981

1982 Honey Show held in Ballee High School

UBKA invited us to join their ranks once again. It was decided to defer joining at present but would be willing to co-operate in a joint approach with government or other bodies.

1983 Our theme for the year would be Disease prevention and Control. The EEC GRANT was being paid at 40p per hive, the remaining 21p going towards equipment and providing the free booklets on disease.
1990 50th anniversary

Special mugs were produced and presented to all who entered the Honey Show.

1996

Re affiliated with the UBKA
1997 Association Apiary at Craigdun was the theme. We were proceeding with two WBC hives, 2 National hives, 1 Commercial hive all with new frames and wax. Weedkiller would be applied and fencing erected, with some planting to provide bee forage.
FEB 2001 Mid-Antrim Beekeepers' Association hit the World Wide Web!
 

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