Chairman Letter – Mar 2018

Dear Kennet Beekeeper,

Suddenly things related to bees will begin to happen during this month. And to start with WBKA (Wiltshire BeeKeepers Association with whom KBKA are affiliated) is in need of some volunteers from all the member associations – and that includes KBKA members. Firstly, WBKA is looking for a new Editor for the Honey Bee Times, to be in charge and edit three publications a year. Secondly, WBKA needs stewards for the Bath & West Show 30 May to 2 June. You get a free ticket and will have time see other things in the show as well stewarding in the Bee Tent. Thirdly, the WBKA Honey Show is to be run by a committee from all the associations together – are you willing to give your time, energy and experience to this? To be held on 6 October at Devizes Corn Exchange. I cannot stress too strongly just how important is to be a member of KBKA who offers to do one of these jobs, as I wish our Association to have a strong delegation within WBKA. Please come forward and let me know what you can do to help – I will then put you in touch with the right person. I can promise all volunteers that they will enjoy helping with these different aspects of being a beekeeper in Wiltshire and will hopefully make new friends. I look forward to hearing from you!

I should hardly need to say but this is the time that bees can become short of stores. A good heft of your hive, to see how heavy it is, is the recognised procedure. But if unsure, a block of fondant above the crown board feeder hole will always insure your bees have food at the beginning of Spring.

Coming up on Saturday is what calls itself The biggest BeeKeeping showin 2018 http://www.beetradex.co.uk. I am going and I would suggest, if you have the time, you also go along as I am sure you will find it interesting and a good place to buy new equipment at the stat of the season. It does get very crowded but is worth going just to see what’s new in beekeeping.

Our next first Friday in the month talk is Friday 2 March at Bishops Cannings Village Hall SN10 2LA at 7.30 when Andy Willis will give his talk called A bee’s eye view of beekeeping. I am guessing that it may well be a talk of how the bees find us – the beekeeper. Should be interesting – hope you can be there.

All best wishes to all members.