Chairmans Letter – March 2020

Dear Kennet Beekeeper,

I start with a date & place for your diary Tuesday 3^rd March at Pound Arts Centre in Corsham, where they are showing the film Honeyland. For details go to https://poundarts.org.uk/event-category/film/. This film was shot over three years and is a beautiful documentary nominated for two Oscars. It follows Hatidze – the last in a long line of Macedonian wild beekeepers, whose peaceful existence is thrown into upheaval by the arrival of a new family. This film is about environmental balance, a reflection of a wider conversation about the fundamental tensions between nature and humanity, harmony and discord, exploitation and sustainability. It explores just how much we stand to lose if we ignore this essential connection. That should appeal to all KBKA members. Tickets are £7.50 and I have booked mine, hope to see you there. It is not a big cinema so do check they have tickets before you go!

In my February newsletter I reminded you about checking for stores – recently the NBU (National Bee Unit) has sent us all a warnings about how damp kills off colonies – so do go and check out yours.

Don’t forget that Beetradex 2020 is on 14^th March. Suddenly it feels as if beekeeping is about to begin – and it is with the Horton Road Apiary Clean Up – 11.00am to 1.00pm. That’s this Saturday 29^th February. If you are going do let apiary managers Mark and Patrick Know by emailing them at ApiaryHorton@kennet-beekeepers.co.uk

Our next talk, this coming Wednesday 4^th March at 7:30 pm, at Bishops Cannings Village Hall SN10 2LA will be my friend David Rudland on ‘Nucs and their Uses’. David and his wife Celia are bee farmers running around 250 hives, producing honey, wax and docile bees for sale. David was a Seasonal Bee Inspector for nine years and Celia was a teacher, who now uses this knowledge to teach beekeeping at many levels. Another KBKA talk that should be on interest to all members wishing to get the full potential from their beekeeping.

With best wishes,

Robert Carpenter Turner

Chairman Kennet Beekeepers

Tel: – 01672 852265 email:- chairman@kennet-beekeepers.co.uk

About KBKA

Kennet Beekeepers Association (KBKA) draws members from the Calne, Chippenham, Devizes and Marlborough areas of Wiltshire. We strive to promote and further the craft of beekeeping and to represent the interests of beekeepers in the local area. We are affiliated to both the Wiltshire Beekeeping Association and the British Beekeepers Association, representing members at county and national levels.

We welcome potential members from all walks of life and can offer many benefits to both the established beekeeper and the complete novice. Some of our members have many years of practical beekeeping experience and this valuable resource is available to new beekeepers.