Hive record keeping in the 21st century

Keep your hive records online at www.beetight.com or by using a smartphone.

Nucs for sale

Four 5 frames nucs for collection in May- June 2011.  £90 each.  Please call 01920 420862 for more information.

Sustainability In Practice Lecture - How Not To Keep Bees!

Speaker - Bill Turnbull, Thursday 5th May, 6.30 - 8.00 pm
Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House, Aldwych (London School of Economics)
Free ticketing so arrive early to be sure of getting in.

Bill Turnbull is a presenter on the BBC Breakfast programme.  He is a keen beekeeper, and is author of mishap memoir "The Bad Beekeepers Club".

Bees seal cells of contaminated pollen

Honeybees 'entomb' hives to protect against pesticides, say scientists. By sealing up cells full of contaminated pollen, bees appear to be attempting to protect the rest of the hive.

See www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/04/honeybees-entomb-hives for more on this story.

Book advert

I am writing regarding a new book which I feel may be of interest to you and your members. "Travels in Blood and Honey: Becoming a Beekeeper in Kosovo" by Elizabeth Gowing, is one womans fascinating account of how beekeeping enriched her life. The book is available through Amazon and directly through us at Signal Books. If you are interested, Elizabeth is willing to tallk about her experience to groups and organisations.  If you have any queries then please don't hesitate to contact me
Samantha Halstead (Signal Books)

North Herts news by Graham Beesley

Apologies that there was no newsletter for March.  I'm feeling the loss of Christine Phillips as secretary. Our AGM was, as usual, very well attended. Congratulations to John Hill for lifting the trophy in the honey tasting.

Our next indoor meeting, the last before the summer will be, as usual, the third Tuesday of the month, 19th, April, at 7.30 at Howgills, the Friends Meeting House, Letchworth. Peter Fogle, the Seasonal Bee Inspector, will be our guest and will be speaking on " Bee Disease Recognition - what to look for and what to do".

Can I make a plea that all those who feel able to offer their apiary for one of our summer meetings come along, or contact me, with a suggested date. I would like to kick off the year with a never to be repeated date, an antidote to the Royal Wedding, the 29th April, 2.00 pm at my apiary at Titmore Green. Some idea of numbers would be appreciated by return please.

For beginners I would like to extend an invitation to visit the Association apiary. We haven't had enough enquiries this year to warrent running indoor introductory meetings but will be running  week by week sessions where members will have the opportunity to observe hives being opened and participate in handling the bees if they so wish. The first meeting , weather permitting, will be on 23rd April, 2011. Meet in the car park of Stevenage Garden Centre, Gravely Road at 12.00 pm. If you would like to attend and don't have protective clothing please contact me on 01438 369770 to allow me to arrange.