Welcome to the March newsletter. For those who missed it, David Hammond of Bees Abroad spent an excellent evening with us on 5th February when he presented on the work the charity undertakes to help Ugandan beekeepers start their enterprises from scratch (right down to making their own suits and smokers). Bees Abroad will be coming to the Wiltshire Bee and Honey Day in October so we look forward to seeing David again there.
Sue Lang, Honey Show Judge (in training) has prepared a fantastic talk for us covering all aspects of showing honey. Sue started beekeeping in 2006 with husband Danny after a flippant comment was made about what to do with the extra 150 feet of soggy Bedfordshire clay that they’d just added to their garden. A chance encounter with Bedfordshire Beekeepers Association led to a beginner’s course, and so started a long-term fascination with bees, honey, beeswax and the craft of Beekeeping. Sue won her first 1st prize at Beds Honey Show that year and was hooked! She is now in the final stages of training to be a Honey Show Judge which she’s really enjoying. She delivers talks to beekeeping and other groups on all aspects of beekeeping – whether an introduction, or an in-depth look at a specific aspect such as honey or beeswax. Sue will be happy to look at any honey show related items you would like to bring along.
Andy Willis will be talking to us about The Trials and Tribulations of a Beekeeper, spanning his beekeeping life and how he has kept his interest going since the age of 27.
The session will be run by our apiaries manager Jeremy Percy and will cover safe and practical methods of swarm collection. If you would like to attend, please let Jeremy know direct on jeremypercy@gmail.com.
Please take time to read the message below from Jeremy, especially if you are new to KBKA
– we are lucky to have this fantastic facility so please make the most of it.
Among all the services provided to members, the Association’s apiary at Court Farm in Bishops Cannings is a key element in supporting the development of early years beekeepers as well as serving as a meeting point for the more experienced beekeepers who are willing to pass on their hard-won knowledge.
As ever, the majority of the work involved in running the apiary falls to a small group of dedicated volunteers and this year, the Association needs to expand that volunteer base in order to maintain the quality and depth of the support provided.
On that basis, I make a plea to anyone who can find a little bit of time to come along to help.
On Saturday March 29th, at 1pm we will be having a work party to service all the equipment needed for the season as well as tidying up the apiary area in preparation for phase two of our plan to improve the landscaping and access aspects.
This will be in advance of the open sessions beginning the following Saturday, April 5th, starting at 1pm and every second Saturday after that.
For those relatively new to beekeeping these sessions are an invaluable aid, getting hands on with the bees, benefitting from the advice and guidance of those more experienced and developing the knowledge and skills so necessary to becoming a proficient beekeeper.
For those more experienced beeks among us, the open sessions provide an opportunity to exchange views, discuss problems and solutions and vitally, share experiences with those present. I’ve been bothering bees for around 20 years or so and I still benefit from these shared discussions.
So, whether it is guiding those at the beginning of their beekeeping journey through a basic inspection, offering advice based on your experience or helping maintain the apiary and equipment, please do consider coming along, your presence would be most welcome – and there is tea and biscuits, and sometimes even cake!
Do feel free to give me a call with any questions.
Jeremy, Apiaries Manager
07799 698 568
Two reminders from Emma our Education Officer.
The theory study sessions will take place on Wednesday evenings, 7pm-9pm via Zoom on the following dates: 12th March, 26th March, 9th April, 23rd April. There will be practical sessions too that will take place at the apiary in May/June (exact dates tbc depending on number of students).
Assessments (if you decide to take one) generally happen sometime in July or August, the exact dates will be confirmed nearer the time. The sessions will follow the BBKA syllabus, which you can view online together with a reading list by clicking on this link: https://www.bbka.org.uk/basic-assessment.
Please contact education@kennet-beekeepers.co.uk if you would like to take part.
Sonia Meadows
Chair, Kennet Beekeepers Association
