Welcome to the May newsletter. Spring is finally here bringing beautiful blossom for the bees to enjoy for as long as it stays.
We have just taken a very exciting delivery from the BBKA Schools Programme, having been selected from a number of clubs to receive a fantastic range of equipment to assist with our educational visits to local schools.
Well done to Elaine and Sherrill Percy for the successful application enabling this to happen. These materials are available to all members visiting schools, so please contact Elaine if you feel they may be useful.
As mentioned in the April newsletter, Elaine will be retiring as our secretary at the September AGM.
The new role will include:
Elaine’s current tasks will be shared amongst other members. She’s also happy to provide training and a handover.
“In order to perform the secretary role, there is absolutely no need to be a long-standing beekeeper. In fact, you don’t need to be a beekeeper at all…”
– Elaine
If you’re interested, please contact Elaine to explore further.
Club Meeting – Wednesday 7th, 7 for 7.30pm at Bishops Cannings Village Hall
Talk by Margaret Murdin, NDB and Master Beekeeper: “Reading a Colony”
Open Apiary Sessions
Looking ahead
New guidelines from WBKA (with Wiltshire Trading Standards) are available for:
Saturday 28th June 2025 — 9.30am–4.30pm
Market Lavington Community Hall, SN10 4DG
Learn to identify AFB and EFB, handle infected frames, and improve hive inspections.
Organised with the National Bee Unit.
Book now: https://bit.ly/hbt2806
(Free places for Wiltshire BKA members until 1st June)
Bring your own lunch. Tea/coffee provided.
Michael Bennett (UKCEH/University of Reading PhD) is studying disease transmission, especially Chalkbrood.
He is looking for volunteers with infected colonies to help test flowerbeds in front of hives.
📧 Email: mbennett@ceh.ac.uk
🔒 UKCEH Privacy Notice
Available in Seend, Rowde, and possibly Marlborough.
📧 Contact: elainelewis@hotmail.co.uk
There is no dedicated Inspector for Wiltshire currently. Contact:
From January 2025, committee meeting minutes are available on the website.
🔐 Password: kbka2025
🔗 KBKA Members Area
Check the KBKA events calendar for apiary dates and other updates.
From WhatsApp, it sounds like beginners are enjoying their first hands-on lessons. Good luck starting your own hives — you’re always welcome at our Open Apiary sessions!
Looking forward to seeing many of you at our May club night with Margaret.
Sonia Meadows
Chair, Kennet Beekeepers Association
