‘Society of the Year’ is the most coveted and sought-after award within Team Aber. This is awarded to the most successful, committed, and active society of the academic year. There were some strong nominations across the board this year. One thing the panel found refreshing was the number of smaller, lesser known societies being nominated with strong entries.
The Bee Conservation Society (BeeSoc) were our well deserving winner this year. We were inundated with nominations that spoke so highly of the group. Each nomination drew upon the diversity of opportunities available to members, the budding community they have established, and the overwhelming support for a cause members feel so passionately about.
“This society demonstrates what all societies should be. The society brings together people to help create friends and meet new people. The society caters to everyone; they do drinking socials and non-drinking socials. They make everyone feel welcome and well cared about. This society has grown massively throughout the years. The society not only brings people together, but it also helps the local environment. This society should win Society of the Year as they demonstrate the principles that a society should show, and they have grown into a highly successful society.” – Anonymous nominator
BeeSoc are a relatively new society who have made an outstanding impact. From the get-go at the Freshers Fair they established themselves as a carefree, inclusive, and fun society; they stood out from the crowd with their vibrant stripes and colourful face paints.
During the academic year they have offered a unique experience for all their members. Members often found themselves building hives, decorating them to give the BeeSoc touch, and getting hands on with the practical conservation of bee keeping and production of honey.
This year BeeSoc have collaborated on several of their events and activities. They worked with the University’s Careers Service opening the enterprising world to their members through an aptly named ‘Bee Your Own Boss’ session. In addition to working with other student groups, local community groups and organisations to raise awareness of dwindling bee numbers in the UK.
BeeSoc are becoming increasingly known for their regular inclusive, welcoming, and unique social activities. The committee and members have made huge strides with fundraising for their charitable causes throughout the year. Notably they have focused some of their efforts on bee/environmental oriented charities such as the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, but they have also focused heavily on charities students rely on, such as MIND and the Samaritans.
“The bee conservation society has done amazing things in the conservation of bees, and the society has been a wonderful thing to be part of. They ensure all socials cater for everyone and ensure everyone is safe and well! They truly are fantastic as a society and made my year in uni spectacular” – Anonymous nominator
Probably the most important task the society undertakes is one of increasing importance and necessity. As a society they care for one of the Earth’s most essential species regarding sustainability and longevity. Bees are essential to a healthy environment and healthy economy. We rely on them and other insects to pollinate most of our fruit and vegetables. Tragically bees are under threat, and without them so is our food and economy. The society is at the forefront of combating this decline in Aberystwyth. They own three beehives which they tend to meticulously. They have even gone the extra mile with a financially self-sustaining structure in place and a system of training students in their spare time to become Beekeepers, at no expense of their own.
One of the key things that stood out to the panel was, once the pandemic emerged they have been one of the most invested societies, still needing to tend to their hives and actively providing members with activities to ensure no one gets left behind or felt alone. They hosted a bunch of Netflix Watch Party’s and did some really engaging Boredom Busters to inspire members to stay active.
As you can see, BeeSoc have had a tremendous year! All they have achieved would not have been possible without the dedication of the committee members and the interest of all the group’s members. The SU is excited to see what BeeSoc get up to next year, and we hope you are too!
Why not get involved yourself? Check out BeeSoc here:
Email: scty194@aber.ac.uk
Website: https://www.abersu.co.uk/society/abcs/
Facebook: @AberBeeConservationSociety
Instagram: @aberystwythbeeconservation
