Roe Valley Beekeepers RVBKA
Based near Limavady, Northern Ireland
Email for Club: rvbkasecretarylhand@gmail.com
Email for Site: roevalleybeekepers@outlook.com
Welcome to Roe Valley Beekeepers Association
Next Meeting - Thursday 27th August
Collecting 2026 membership and Prelim/Beginners Beekeeping course fees
Club Secretary - Notices
Look out for emails about meetings, events, swarm collections, honey sales, membership, bee health, UBKA events.
Keep your contact information up to date to stay in touch.
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A reminder of the current recommended method for tracking and reporting any Asian Yellow-Legged Hornets in:
Northern Ireland : Asian Hornet Watch - this is the reporting system for Northern Ireland. ​
​ Ireland: Report Asian Hornet - Invasives, i.e., a new page encouraging reports and accurate ID by the public. We have included a couple of videos to help the general public see what a hornet looks like, and also a nest in a tree.
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Membership
Membership for 2026 is £25 for individual, £30 for family & can be paid at meetings or by emailing:
roevalleybeekeepers@outlook.com
Look out for the reminder emails in late October
Thank you for supporting your club!
Membership includes UBKA Membership and public liability insurance, covering injury to third parties and honey selling/market activities.
Insurance cards are no longer issued. Contact UBKA secretary if proof of membership is required.
secretary@ubka.org
Upcoming Events
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Meet: Aug 27th 2026
Meet: Sep 24th 2026
Event: Oct 16th Honey Show
Meet: Nov 2026 xmas
Meet: Jan 2027 AGM
Meet: Feb 2027
Meet: Mar 2027
Meet: Apr 2027
Meet: May 2027
Meet: Jun 2027
Event: Jul 2027 BBQ
Next session - TBD - 10a.m to 1p.m at the Apiary
Some sessions feature talks and technique demonstrations, other sessions are apiary clean-ups.
Talk to experienced beekeepers informally and get over-wintering tips.
Tea/coffee/snacks
More discussions, workshops and presentations are planned for 2026
Look forward to seeing you there!
Saturday Club
Wider Events - Ulster, Ireland & GB
Prelim Review: Patrick B (2025) 5/5!
I found the RVBKA Preliminary Course in beekeeping most enjoyable, delivered in good-humoured style by the vastly experiences Master Beekeeper Sam Laverty, the inexperienced are made welcome and given confidence. The 9 modules were clear and informative, and the practical sessions were exciting. Learning together with others was a friendship building experience.
Prelim Review: Sue K (2025) 5/5
Definitely 5 stars for the Prelim course. Slides were concise, clear and easy to comprehend, even if you knew nothing about keeping bees. The course was well presented with plenty of opportunities to ask questions. I found the whole course fascinating and my interest was held right to the end. Very well done.
Prelim Review: Stephen B (2025) 5/5
As a complete beginner I needed a comprehensive course with lots of helpful support, right through to the stage of getting started with a hive. RVBKA offered all this and more. Master Beekeeper, Sam, steered us through 10 classroom sessions and 3 practicals with wit and wisdom, culminating in a short, formal examination to underscore the seriousness of the undertaking. Most rewarding of all was the cumulative joy of the group as we progressed towards the awesome goal of getting one's own colony of bees. To this end, the club was as generous as it was practical, offering a starter colony at a reduced price and encouragement enough to see a novice through the season ahead. An excellent introduction to beekeeping.
BBQ 2026: 17th July - MISSION COMPLETED
​There will be delicious grilled food, salads, sides and desserts, juice, wine and great conversation.
​Join us for music, a raffle and and auction - bring family and friends - non-members welcome.
Meal price £8
Bring cash for raffle oe to buy BBQ tickets on the day
​​​If you would like to donate a small raffle prize - please bring it along.
​Signature and shop-bought desserts are welcome. Feel free to bring your own drinks.
Club shirts & hoodies
Great quality club polo shirts and hoodies are available to pre-order.
Embroidered club logo comes with a choice of white or dark pink.
Colour choices shown above. Men's and women's sizes.
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Polo shirts £25, hoodies £30.
UBKA - Ulster
For important information on: Notifiable diseases, Honey Bee Health Programme, Surveillance Programme, Varroa Mites, Asian Hornet
A range of expert speakers, workshops, practical Beekeeping and a large trade show in February:​
​Visit UBKA's website or our knowledgebase pages:
Willow Women - Talk & Classes
Fiona Doney taught a Willow weaving class at the apiary,
During the session, each person made two small bird feeders and one larger bird feeder using materials and forms supplied by Fiona. The class was very enjoyable and will be followed up by a basket weaving class.
Fiona also demonstrated willow weaving and talked about the history and development of this craft at a club meeting.
Dandelions & 'weeds'
Often thought of as an annoying lawn weed - dandelions are a true flower and a vital source of spring nectar and pollen for honey bees and many other pollinators. Instead of uprooting or killing these important flowers, spread them by blowing the dandelion clocks. Other important 'weeds' for pollinators Rose-bay Willowherb, White Clover, Cow Parsley, Foxglove, Honeysuckle, Ground Ivy, Comfrey, Knapweed, Chickweed, Dead Nettle
Bee-safe water station
1. Shallow bird bath or dish with pebbles and rocks (avoid marbles or glass - too slippery).2. Hummingbird feeder filled with water instead of sugar syrup.3. Poultry watering station.4.Upturned plastic bucket with lid - drill holes near the top of the bucket.5.Upturned jars, lidded with guaze or cloth, secured with elastic bands.
About us
The club started as a group of friends with a passion for beekeeping who met regularly to share their knowledge and experience. After the introduction of a beekeeping eductional programme, the club rapidly expanded, bringing in new members, and growing from 7 to an average of 100 each year, many of whom regularly attend meetings and events.
The club has a highly successful Beginner's Beekeeping (Prelim) course starting in February each year, covering everything a new beekeeper needs to to get started, including practical sessions. New beekeepers have access to help and advice from club members, with many finding a mentor.
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Each month, an in-depth presentation is given on an area of beekeeping and members are reminded what they should be doing with their bees at a particular time of year. Our members have a wide range of beekeeping experience from complete novice to veterans with a wealth of knowledge to share. Meetings and events are a great place to ask and answer questions.
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Our mission to to create more bees and more beekeepers.
UBKA Reresentatives:
Stephanie Percy
Mark Boyd
Simon Hawe