My plan is to keep this brief but also to mark the end of the year for KBKA: many interesting speakers, excellent progress in the apiary, successful honey sales, the well-attended honey show and a small social and competitive Christmas quiz highlighting knowledge of all things “bees” and enjoyable sharing plates! Winners and runners-up went home with their intellect intact and a “bee-printed” mug; as for the rest of us………….. the least said the better ! (In 2026 we’d like to find out what members want from the club so have a think about what you would like to see, listen to, attend and so on…..)
Come along to the apiary at about 10.30 on Saturday 3rd January 2026 to see how to dribble oxalic acid on your bees as a winter varroa treatment (giving the bees the best chance of a strong build-up as ueen increase her laying rate (more bees, more mites in an untreated colony). We’re planning to continue the tidy-up in the outbuildings and around and about (weather-dependent) so maybe help……. and get rid of some of the extra-Christmas calories!
In 2026 the NBU will not be allowed to participate in spring queen trapping (DEFRA). All bee-keepers will need to be vigilant monitoring for YLH from early spring: see next month’s newsletter for more information.
That’s all for now – if you’ve got thoughts about items you’d like to see noted or covered in this newsletter, please get in touch.
I hope that you all have a peaceful and happy couple of weeks over this festive period
Happy Christmas to you and your families & all best wishes for 2026!! (any guesses on the link between Christmas and the pics below?)
Andrea Waylen
Chair, Kennet Beekeepers Association
