Dear Kennet BeeKeeper,
In the next few days we have two important events. The first one is the Bee Health Day this coming Saturday 3 September (atMarket Lavington Community Hall, St Mary’s Road, Market Lavington SN10 4DG), and I know it will be of benefit to everyone who has a hive of bees. Are you sure you know what EFB or AFB looks like? Because these are two of the main diseases of the honey bee and it will give you great confidence when inspecting you colonies if you know what these two diseases look like. Hope to see you there. Starts at 09.30 for a 10.00 start. Finish by 16.00. Everybody’s being asked to register for this free event but I guess if you just turn up they will let you in !!
Refreshments available but bring your own picnic lunch.
The other event is our own Honey Show on Wednesday 7 September. Can I encourage you to enter some of your honey or other products from your hive(s). Elaine has sent out separate emails with what to do to enter. While the judging is taking place we have decided to have a fun “Bee Quiz” instead of a film. This will have some easy and also hard questions so as to make it fair to our beginners. You will be asked to form teams with names like “The Pollinators” or the “Old Drones”. But I will leave it to you to think up more appropriate team names. I’m going to be the Quiz Master so I will try and make it entertaining and interesting. There will be prizes. Please bring a pen/pencil, and paper would help.
Our secretary has the details of several sites that have been offered as Apiaries. If you are wishing to start an out apiary do send her an email:- elainelewis@hotmail.co.uk
To my relief I am delighted to report that Jeremy Percy has offered to become our new Apiary Manager. Being a democratic club I have to check that there is no other member wishing to take on this important position for the Association. If you are interested do please let me know. We will vote on the new apiary manager at our AGM on 5 October and it will be that new apiary manager who will be in charge of setting up (with help form many of us I hope) the new apiary in Bishops Cannings.
I notice that there are lots of questions on the KBKA WhatsApp Group that we have covered with the Apiary Team at the apiary. I do urge those who want practical experience to join the “A Team” and come along to the apiary sessions. There is nothing like the experience of opening different hives and seeing different colonies of bees. I believe those that have been to the most sessions at the apiary this year have learned a great deal. So do join next year, or even sooner and help us move the bees to their new site.
All best wishes
Robert
Chairman Kennet Beekeepers Association