North Herts news by John Hill

It had to happen, of course, something else to blame for bees colony problems. After Colony Collapse Disorder, (CCD), we now have the possibility of MPDIS, (Mobile Phone Direction Interference Syndrome), that might be the cause of some beekeeping problems. What about TMDTVT? (Too much Digital TV transmission), or CEAGW? (Carbon Emission and Global Warming), after all is said and done no-one can say with any conviction that these things are not contributing to the lack of bees in our apiaries. And sadly we shall never find out, because there just ain’t any more decent research being done in this country for the beekeeping fraternity. Norman Carrick said so at the AGM, and he should know! Also, there’s a reduction of Bee Inspectors etc. on the orders of Defra, and Politicians know all about these things don’t they?…like GM crops and setting the boundaries,…try telling a bee about boundaries!

All the above tantalising subjects were discussed at our lively meeting last month, when our New Chairman, G.B., got those present to comment on their Winter Losses. Those of you who are ‘bloggers’ will have seen the results of the ‘Straw poll” we carried out. Those who are ‘non-tech’, like me, will no doubt be interested to learn that the average figure was 30%, some members having lost 80%, and some nil. Not many in the second category though. We spent the rest of the evening trying to place the blame, hence my initial comments. Nineteen members also enjoyed Rosemary’s refreshments, and there was a small but profitable ‘bring and buy stall’.

And now for our Apiary Meetings:

• As previously reported, our first event will be the clear-up at Nortonbury on 13th May. If you need directions please ring me. Start 2.30 p.m. NOTE: this date is a SUNDAY!.
• 19th May 2007. Boxwood Apiary. 2.30 p.m. again. (Some struggling colonies, but all with queens.)
• 2nd June 2007. Robin Dartington, Letchworth. (I’ve put this in because the Newsletter won’t be out by then).

I will review all the remaining meetings in the June issue. Basically, they are the same as reported last month.

Last month’s Teaser: It was the opening lines of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen.

Here’s another:

It was said that Lucrezia Borgia once split an apple and shared it with a companion. Within 10 minutes her companion was dead and Lucrezia survived. How come?

And now a little love poem from the mid 1800’s by Coventry Patmore. (Male or female, I know not).

The Kiss.
“I saw you take his kiss!” ‘‘Tis true”
“O, Modesty!” ‘’twas strictly kept:
He thought me asleep; at least I knew
He thought I thought he thought I slept.”

(work that out!).