North Herts news by John Hill

Our AGM held last month was attended by 20 members and an invited Oonagh Gabriel, a welcome visitor. (The reason for this will become apparent below.) The AGM was the last one chaired by Frank Everest, who stated quite firmly that it was about time that some ‘new blood’ took over to keep up the Association’s progression as a lively, forward looking group. It will be up to the new Committee to meet and declare a Chairman. There was one vacancy, due to the resignation of John Moss-Blundell, a member of many years’ standing. Graham Beasley was voted on the Cmt. as the replacement member. The new Chairman will take-over at the April meeting, at the Friends’ Meeting House. The meeting thanked the retiring Chairman for all his efforts. He will, for the time-being remain as a coopted member on the Committee.

After the Chairman had given an encouraging review of the year, our Treasurer, Pat Veasey, gave his report that had been, financially, extremely good; with 37 fully paid-up members, and some prospective members attending the Apiary and Winter meetings. The membership fee will remain at £20 for 2007, which includes Insurance, up to three hives. The finances were accepted nem. con.

It was brought to the attention to those at the meeting that, following John Moss-Blundell’s resignation, he had some equipment to sell, but had donated an extractor to the Association, to be loaned out to members. Terry Pierson agreed to act as custodian and administrate the loan etc. for the extractor for which we are extremely grateful. The details of loans etc. will be decided soon by the Committee, a deposit will most probably be requested from borrowing members.

After the meeting Andy Johnston showed some images, mostly from the Internet, of various aspects of bee diseases, and anatomical details, which we shall be viewing at the March meeting to be held at Marriott’s School Stevenage. The Chairman explained that we were kindly invited to the the school’s Science Dept. to use various microscopes etc. on Tuesday 13th March starting at 7.30 pm. All members are cordially invited to come; maps giving directions were handed out at the AGM to those present but those members that were not there can get details from me on telephone in newsletter. Andy and Oonagh will both be available at this proposed meeting to advise us all etc. and it was suggested that members bring a few dead bees if possible so that we can all have a specimen to view, also some samples of pollen would be welcomed.

Would members please note that unfortunately the Committee have not yet decided the format of the meeting to be held in April '07, so please watch out for information in the newsletter after this one, in early April.

Please see below the proposed Apiary meetings for 2007 and enter into your diaries.
All tentative at this stage. All at 2.30 pm.

• 13th May - Nortonbury Clear-up
  
• 19th May - Boxwood
• 2nd June - Robin Dartington, Letchworth
• 16th June - Pat Veasey, Gosmore Cross
• 30th June - Roman Gorski, Benington
• 14th July - Nortonbury (6 members Apiaries)
• mid August - Andy Johnston, Shillington

The answer to last month’s puzzle was the letter O. They are all mirror images in alphabetical order.

Here’s another: “A ship sank in perfect weather conditions. If the weather had been worse the ship probably would not have sunk. What happened?”

SORRY: No room for a poem this month.