Chair’s Newsletter – September 2025

At our August gathering, Chris Rawlings provided a very enjoyable and entertaining demonstration on making mead and other honey-based drinks. We had the unexpected pleasure of tasting a selection of meads. If you missed out and would like to know how to make mead, look out for the information later in the newsletter regarding the visit arranged to Hive Mind in November.

Forthcoming Events

Wed 3rd Sept – AGM and Honey Show at Bishops Cannings Village Hall

Details of the categories are listed in the Show schedule along with the clarification notes which, with the entry form on our website members’ area. Password: kbka2025.
The entry form is online, found on the last page of the schedule.
Entry forms are to be submitted by 12:00 on Mon 1st Sept.
On Wed 3rd Sept, show items are to be handed to the stewards by 18:45 as judging commences at 19:00.
No late entries and none on the evening.

Questions: honeyshow@kennet-beekeepers.co.uk or phone 07454 776897.
Steve Double, KBKA Honey Show Secretary

Open Apiary sessions: Sats 6th and 20th September – arrive from 1pm for 1.30pm start

Candle Masterclasses with Sophie Butcher (Sat 6th and 20th Sept)
Venue: Hither Dairy, Stanley, Chippenham, SN15 3RE. 09:15 for 09:30 start, finishes 12:30.
Open to all branches. 12 places. Free of charge.
What3Words location.
Book via hithergardens@gmail.com.

Sat 11th October – Wiltshire Bee and Honey Day at Devizes Corn Exchange
More details: Wiltshire Beekeepers Association.

Sat 1st November – Mead Making with Hive Mind in Caldicot
Cost: £50 (with own honey). Time: 12noon – 3.30/4pm.
Details: Sign up here (by end of September, need 15 participants).

BBKA September Talk: Preparation for Showing
Tues 16th Sept 2025, 7pm via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 812 3381 9992 Passcode: 527929
Join Zoom

Other BBKA News

Feeding, Winter Preparations and Uniting Hives
Recording available on BBKA Learning Online (Training Resources > Beekeeper Training > General Husbandry 2026).

Yellow-legged Hornet Week – 1st to 8th Sept. ‘Yellow Sock Day’ on Fri 5th Sept.
Recording of AHAT talk available: Watch here.

Other News and Reminders

European Foul Brood in Kennet Area
A case confirmed within 3 miles of club apiary. Reminder to check colonies and register on Beebase.

Wasps and European Hornets
Open apiary on 9th Aug saw heavy wasp attack. Key reminder: release European hornets if caught in traps.

Easterton Fete – Bank Holiday Monday. Great turnout, live bees, queen spotted, awareness spread about Asian hornets.

Seasonal Bee Inspectors:
Dan Etheridge – 07979 119376 – daniel.etheridge@apha.gov.uk
Krysia Watson – 07500 911157

See you at the AGM and Honey Show!

Sonia Meadows
Chair, Kennet Beekeepers Association
soniameadows@live.com | 07909 547083