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Chair’s Newsletter – July 2025

Chair Newsletter – July 2025

We were fortunate to host Brigit Strawbridge last month and enjoyed her beautiful talk on “The Other Bees”. She kindly shared further information on recommended charities, NGOs, and native flowers — included on the last page of this newsletter. I’m looking forward to reading her book Dancing with Bees.

Forthcoming Events

July Club Meeting

Saturday 12th July (or 19th July if wet)
Morgan’s Hill Wildlife Reserve

This replaces our usual meeting at Bishops Cannings. Liam Olds will lead a guided walk at Morgan’s Hill.

  • Meet at Smallgrain picnic area (Calne to Bishops Cannings road)
  • Arrive at 10:15am, walk starts 10:30am, ends 12:30pm
  • Bring suitable footwear, sun protection, and a picnic lunch
  • Friends and older children welcome

This follows Liam’s previous talk and he is travelling from Wales for us, so please join if you can.

Open Apiary Sessions

Saturday 12th and 26th July
Arrive from 1.00pm for 1.30pm start

Honey Extraction Skills

Saturday 2nd August – 9:15 for 9:30am start, until 12:30pm
Location: Club Apiary

Topics include:

  • How to identify honey ready for extraction
  • How to remove frames safely
  • Extractors and kit overview
  • Bottling and storage techniques
  • Show presentation tips
  • Wax and cappings reuse (e.g. for candles)

12 free places for KBKA members – contact Emma Morley to book:
emma@thebeeskneeshoney.co.uk

Upcoming Events

  • Wednesday 6th August – Talk & demonstration on mead with Chris Rawlings
  • Saturday 6th & 20th September – Candle Masterclasses with Sophie Butcher
  • Wednesday 3rd September – KBKA AGM & Honey Show
    • Bishops Cannings Village Hall
    • Entry info and category list will follow
    • Uses same categories as Wiltshire Honey Show in October
  • Saturday 1st November – Mead Making Course with Hive Mind (Caldicot)
    • Special price for KBKA: £50 (normally £75)
    • Use your own honey – ideal pre-Christmas event
    • Booking details to follow in August
    • Friends/partners welcome

Apiary Notes – from Jeremy

  • Strong nectar flow in June meant uncapped stores in some colonies — rain may help bees finish capping
  • Blackberry is mostly over (as of 24 June), though some areas still have flowers
  • Watch for swarming signs and queen cells during 5-day inspections
  • Large colonies can deplete stores quickly, especially during a June Gap
  • Invertbee syrup and fondant available at cost for members

Queen Rearing Tip

We’ve had great success using surplus queen cells in mini nucs — approx. 70% success rate.

Watch:
Small Scale Queen Rearing – Jane Medwell (BBKA)
Or join an Open Apiary session for a chat about it.

Disease Alert

There has been a case of Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus at our apiary. Symptoms include:

  • Bald, black bees
  • Shaking behaviour

As always, reach out with concerns.

Other News

  • BJ Sherriff “As Good As New” Sale
    • 30% off items with minor cosmetic defects
    • Flyer attached with newsletter

BBKA July Zoom Talk

Beekeepers’ Question Time – Tuesday 15th July, 7:00pm
Panellists: Margaret Murdin, Enid Brown, Mark Bleay, Rebecca Kay

Submit questions in advance: training.admin@bbka.org.uk

Zoom Link:
Join Meeting
Meeting ID: 812 3381 9992
Passcode: 527929

Seasonal Bee Inspectors

  • Dan Etheridge (Regional Bee Inspector – Central England)
    Phone: 07979 119376
    Email: daniel.etheridge@apha.gov.uk
  • Krysia Watson
    Phone: 07500 911157

Schools & Beaver Scout Visits

We’ve completed six school visits and one to Marlborough Beaver Scouts this year, using BBKA’s educational materials.

Thanks to Elaine Lewis, Sherrill Percy and others for their great work bringing beekeeping to local children.

Have a Speaker in Mind?

If there are any topics or speakers you’d like included in future club nights, please get in touch.

Looking forward to seeing many of you at Morgan’s Hill.
Please remember there will be no meeting on Wednesday 2nd July.

Best wishes,
Sonia Meadows
Chair, Kennet Beekeepers Association