The club’s mission statement is to support and encourage new and experienced beekeepers in the club environment, offering education through teaching and interactive practical learning.

Hastings Valley Amateur Beekeepers Association president Charles Watkins said the club already had an executive and 18 paid members with the promise of more people coming on board.

He said amateur beekeeping had grown exponentially.

“There is so much interest out there it is incredible,” Mr Watkins said.

The introduction of the flow hive, awareness about the demise of bees throughout the world and the back to basics trend have contributed to the popularity of amateur beekeeping.

“The big deal with amateur beekeepers is we need to have everybody educated, because like every living thing, you need to know about how to look after it,” he said about bees.

“The bee itself is just fascinating.

“They are such intricate beings that once you start looking after them, it becomes quite addictive.”

Mr Watkins encourages people interested honey bees or native bees to attend the meeting.

The first general meeting is on Wednesday, January 9 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Wauchope Community Arts Hall in Oxley Lane.

 A gold coin donation is required to cover refreshments and hall hire.

The members will shape the club’s direction.

The Hastings Valley Amateur Beekeepers Association has a $10 membership fee to help offset costs.

Club members must also be members of the Amateur Beekeepers Association (ABA) of NSW, which costs $40.

The ABA has 24 affiliated clubs throughout NSW, providing information and support to more than 2000 amateur beekeepers.

Go to the ABA’s website for more information.

The Hastings Valley club is a spin-off of the Manning Valley Amateur Beekeepers Association.

The club’s formation follows the Manning Valley association’s successful display at the Lasiandra Festival and two sessions at the library.

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