Terms of Service

Effective Date: October 2026

Charity Name: The British Bee Charity (CIO)

Registered Charity Number: 1174123 (England & Wales)

Welcome to The British Bee Charity website (https://britishbeecharity.com/). These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of our website, including online store purchases, memberships, bee adoptions, and charitable donations.

By accessing or using our website, purchasing products, or becoming a member, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our related policies. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our website.

1. About Us

This website is operated by The British Bee Charity, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered in England and Wales under Charity Number 1174123.

• Registered Office: 10 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ
• Email: info@britishbeecharity.com
• Telephone: 07708470055

2. Privacy & Cookie Policies

Your use of our website is also governed by our standalone policy documents, which detail how we handle your personal data and maintain online security:

• Privacy Policy: Outlines how we collect, process, and protect your personal information under UK GDPR.
• Cookie Policy: Explains our use of essential cookies for account login and checkout security.

3. User Accounts & Registration

To purchase certain items, manage memberships, or view order histories, you may create a user account on our website.

• You are responsible for providing accurate, current, and complete information during registration.
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account password and log-in details.
• You must notify us immediately at info@britishbeecharity.com if you suspect unauthorised use of your account.
• We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that breach these Terms or engage in fraudulent activities.

4. Products, Orders, and Subscriptions

A. Merchandise & General Orders

All orders placed through our shop are subject to availability and acceptance. Prices are displayed in British Pounds (GBP £). We reserve the right to correct pricing errors or update product descriptions at any time prior to order acceptance.

B. Memberships & Recurring Subscriptions

• Recurring Billing: Memberships offered as recurring subscriptions will automatically renew at the frequency selected at checkout (e.g. annually) using the payment details provided.
• Payment Authorisation: By starting a recurring subscription, you authorise WooPayments / Stripe to charge your designated payment card for each recurring cycle until cancellation.
• Managing & Cancelling Subscriptions: You can cancel or manage your recurring membership at any time by logging into your user account on our website or by contacting info@britishbeecharity.com. Cancellations must be requested at least 48 hours prior to your next scheduled renewal date to avoid being charged for the subsequent period.

5. Bee Adoptions, Donations & Gift Aid

A. Nature of Bee Adoptions

“Adopt a Hive” or bee adoption packages represent symbolic charitable sponsorship contributions designed to support our educational and conservation initiatives. Adoptions do not grant physical ownership, legal title, equity, or management rights over any physical bees, hives, land, or apiary equipment.

B. Donations

Direct donations and charitable adoption contributions are non-refundable once processed, except in instances of technical billing errors or where required by English law.

C. Gift Aid

Where eligible, UK taxpayers may opt to claim Gift Aid on qualifying memberships, adoptions, and donations. By selecting the Gift Aid option, you confirm that you are a UK taxpayer and pay an amount of UK Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax at least equal to the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all your donations in that tax year.

6. Payments and Security

All online financial transactions are processed securely through WooPayments powered by Stripe. We accept major credit and debit cards.

Payment card details are encrypted and transmitted directly to Stripe; no credit or debit card details are stored on our website servers. You must ensure you are authorised to use any payment method supplied to process transactions on our site.

7. Shipping, Delivery, and Cancellation Rights (UK Consumer Law)

A. Delivery of Physical Goods

Physical products, adoption welcome packs, and merchandise will be dispatched to the shipping address provided during checkout. Delivery estimates provided at checkout are targets and cannot be guaranteed.

B. Statutory 14-Day Right to Cancel (Distance Selling)

In accordance with the UK Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have the right to cancel purchases of physical products within 14 calendar days of receiving the goods without giving a reason.

• How to Cancel: To exercise your right to cancel, notify us in writing by emailing info@britishbeecharity.com within the 14-day cancellation window.
• Return Conditions: Items must be returned unused, undamaged, and in their original packaging within 14 days of your cancellation notice.
• Return Shipping Costs: You are responsible for paying the direct postage costs of returning physical goods unless the item received was incorrect, damaged, or defective upon arrival.
• Refund Processing: Approved refunds will be issued to the original payment method within 14 days of us receiving the returned goods.

C. Exceptions to Cancellation Rights

The statutory 14-day right of cancellation does not apply to:

• Digital goods, downloads, or virtual content where access or streaming has commenced with your explicit prior consent.
• Customised, personalised, or made-to-order items.
• Perishable goods.

8. Intellectual Property Rights

All content published on this website, including logos, trademarks, text, graphics, photographs, illustrations, downloadable packs, and software, is the property of The British Bee Charity or its licensors and is protected by UK and international copyright and trademark laws.

You may print or download extracts of website materials strictly for personal, non-commercial use, provided you do not modify the content or remove any copyright notices. Commercial reproduction, distribution, or re-publication without prior written consent from The British Bee Charity is strictly prohibited.

9. Acceptable Website Use

You agree to use our website only for lawful purposes. You must not:

• Use the site in any way that violates applicable local, national, or international laws or regulations.
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to our website database, servers, or admin systems.
• Introduce viruses, Trojans, worms, logic bombs, or other malicious code.
• Use automated systems or software to extract data from our website for commercial purposes (“scraping”).

10. Limitation of Liability

While we make every effort to ensure the information on this website is accurate and up to date, the site is provided on an “as is” basis.

To the fullest extent permitted by English law:

• The British Bee Charity excludes all warranties, express or implied, regarding the website’s accuracy, availability, or fitness for a particular purpose.
• We shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, or incidental loss or damage arising out of your use of, or inability to use, our website or purchased goods.

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under English law (including statutory consumer rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015).

11. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms, their subject matter, and their formation are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms or your use of the website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

12. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to update or amend these Terms at any time to reflect legal regulatory changes or operational website updates. The revised Terms will take effect immediately upon publication on this page with an updated effective date.

13. Contact Us

For any questions, concerns, or notices regarding these Terms of Service, please reach out to us:

The British Bee Charity

10 Rose Bank Cottages, Westfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9QZ

Email: info@britishbeecharity.com

Telephone: 07708470055