April 2010

Editorial by Paul Cooper

The temperature is rising, blossom is beginning to bloom and the bees are flying. We've had the AGM, Stoneleigh is just around the corner and we'll be coping with swarms and set honey before you can say "artificial swarm". How good it feels at the start of a new season.
We welcome Barnet's contribution to the newsletter this month and wish to highlight their showing of a film from 1936 called a Year in the Apiary, a clip of which will be available on this website soon. How beekeeping has changed in 75 years.
Out in the apiary, colonies will be growing rapidly so food supplies will need to be maintained particularly if we have some bad weather. Feed if required with half strength syrup or candy. On a warm day start spring cleaning by removing the entrance block and mouse guard. Clean the floor or replace it with a prepared one from your winter maintenance. Watch the weather to be ready to remove the feeder and put on a queen excluder and a super. Start weekly inspections as  swarming can start as early as late April if we get good weather.

Barnet news by Jackie Andrews

The Barnet beginners' course has been running well since January. Despite the huge interest in the course, this year we have limited numbers to twenty.
In February, South East Regional Bee Inspector Alan Bylam, who works for FERA, gave a very interesting, and useful talk to Association members on hive pests, particularly varroa and small hive beetle.
21st April sees Barnet Beekeepers screening our once forgotten, but nowre-discovered, Barnet Beekeepers' film, "A Year in the Apiary", made by members of the Association who also worked at one of the film studios in nearby Borehamwood back in 1936. A glimpse into the life of the Association and beekeeping in a bygone age. Hives immaculately painted white stand with steam trains chuffing along behind them. Crocuses are marshalled like a floriferous army under bare trees and meadows look like a sea of sunny yellow so dense were the dandelions. No-one wore beesuits but a gentleman would never have been seen in the apriary without a trilby or bowler hat (essential kit for the 1930s). 30 minutes of time travel to see how it was really done in the old days. The 21st April screening at Barnet Countryside Centre, Byng Road, Barnet, EN5 4NP, will be at 7.30pm. Fellow Hertfordshire beekeepers are very welcome to join us.

St Albans news by Christine Aitken

Despite inclement weather there was a good turnout of members for the Apiary clean-up’s on 20th March at Prae Wood and Oaklands. Many hives at the Prae Wood apiary have suffered from unprecedented woodpecker damage this winter even though protection was in place. There is also concern over possible colony losses.

Meetings

The first members meeting of the season will be held at Prae Wood Apiary on Saturday 24th April at 3.00pm when the topic will be ‘Swarms’ followed by a Q & A session.
Our second members meeting of the season will be held at Prae Wood Apiary on Saturday 15th May at 3.00pm. Topic to be arranged.

Beginners Course

We are now halfway through our beginners course with attendances of 26 at each session.
Thanks must go to those members who regularly turn out to support us with tea making and chatting to and reassuring the course participants.

BeeWorld 2010

A reminder that BeeWorld will be held at the Herts Show on the weekend of May 29th/30th at the Redbourn Showground. The co-ordinators Marian Whittaker and Luke Adams will be contacting the secretaries of each division shortly.

St Albans BKA Web-site

This is now up and running so do read the article by Andrew Copley in this month’s HertsBees. The season is starting well with many interested beekeepers, keen to get started, contacting me mostly on my personal e.mail address. It will be interesting to see in the future how many come via the web-site.

Bishops Stortford news by Paul Cooper

Members of the Bishops Stortford division are pleased to be holding the honorary post of President of HBKA this year. The name will be announced in the next newsletter.
The first apiary meeting of the season will be on 10th April at 14:30 in the garden of John Dockerill in Stansted. See you there.

SE Herts news by John Mumford

The 2010 beekeeping season has begun at last and it’s good to feel the sun on on your back once again. April is an important month to catch up and get things sorted before the colonies get too far ahead. Spring cleaning - new combs - foundation purchases - supers - spare equipment - Queen finding - and Queen marking etc. The bees won’t wait for you they will just carry on and do what bees do, so if you are late don’t worry it’s you who will have the clearing up to do. Having to fight propolise all summer is not my idea of happy beekeeping.
A couple of weeks ago I had a look in at a few Nucs. and Colonies, stores were all OK but there was a lot of variation in the amount and age of brood present, however now that nectar and pollen are freely available there is still plenty of time for the slower ones to catch up.
I got a phone call from Jenifer Rowley about the Association Hives - the woodpeckers had been at work and when I got there all three hives had large holes and only one still had bees. There were even holes in the hive where the bees died out last Autumn. I put some Chicken Wire screens around them and went back to my car to get some drawing pins, as I arrived back a Green Woodpecker flew off! We will have a lot to do at the Apiary Meeting there on Sunday 25th. April. For our new members we will meet in the Bayford Church Car Park by the War Memorial at 3.00pm.

North Herts news by Christine Phillips

AGM

At our well attended AGM last week two changes were made to the committee:

• Brian Fairey has been N. Herts' swarms officer for many years and now hands over to Helen Amey. Helen has a dedicated phone for swarm calls – 07952 010015 - all relevant authorities have been notified so we hope it works. If you are willing to collect swarms in your area please contact Helen. Likewise if you wish to receive a swarm.
• John Brooksbank and his wife have  delivered the Herts Newsletter for many years (?30) and this has now been taken on by Janet Kirtland.

Our thanks to Brian and John for many years hard work, and to the new volunteers – thank you, and good luck!

Honey tasting

Following the AGM we all tasted the various honeys. Marks awarded this year were rather low – we are all becoming too discerning! But the worthy winners were:

1. Graham Beesley (first again!) with a rather nice lime honey
2. John Hill - rape honey
3. Sam Greenbank - mixed flower honey 

Beginners evening

Derek and Graham are holding a second evening for beginners on April 6th at 7.30pm at Howgills.

April meeting

On April 20th (Howgills 7.30pm as usual) Andy Johnston will give us some good advice on record keeping.
There will be a bring and buy sale during the evening and after the break Graham will lead a discussion on swarms / swarm prevention.

Summer meetings

For new members who may not have been to one before, these are very pleasant afternoons spent in one of our members' apiaries looking at and talking about bees – a good way to learn how to handle bees - and followed by tea and cakes.
So far this year we have the following dates arranged, all at 2.00 for 2.30pm: (please phone first to say you will be coming, or for directions)

• Graham Beesley's apiary on May 1st near Redcoats Green.
• Andy Johnston June 5th in Shillington (Andy invites Bedfordshire Beekeepers too, so places at this very popular apiary meeting will be limited to only 10 N. Herts members. Please email or phone Andy if you would like to come; first come, first served.)
• Pat Veasey June 19th at Gosmore Cross
• John Hill July 17th at Boxwood
• Nortonbury Association apiary July 24th (provisionally)
• David Massey August 21st at Charlton

Jars

This season we are planning to order a pallet of honey jars, which works out cheaper than buying smaller quantities. If you would be interested in sharing in this or would be able to provide storage room for a large number of jars please contact Graham or me as soon as possible.

West Herts news by Margaret Tighe

The WHBK Association AGM, which was held on 1st March was, I believe, enjoyed by all who attended.  The dining room at Croxley House, Croxley Green made a very pleasant venue and was filled to capacity with twenty-five members, associate members and potential members.
The meeting was opened by the President, Dave Hill, who welcomed everyone.  He then announced some proposed changes to the Committee as two members wished to retire from the committee, namely, Lindsay Bruce (Chairman) and Brian Norman (Secretary). He thanked them for all their past work and we were pleased to hear that, although they were retiring from committee duties, they would still be very much involved with the Association in other fields.
Diane Bruce, who worked hard all last summer generously giving up her time to collect swarms and providing new bees where required, requested that any beekeepers collecting swarms make sure they don’t remove skep or box until evening, to ensure that all foraging bees have returned to the swarm.  She found it very frustrating to be called the day after a swarm had been collected to remove a "tennis ball" of bees!!
After the Meeting there was a very pleasant hour spend chatting and enjoying refreshments which included delicious, home-made honey and ginger cake, donated by the President's wife!

BEEWORLD 2010

This year BEEWORLD is hosted by St.Albans Division who have decided upon a change of venue and consequently a change of date for Beeworld 2010. It will be held at the Hertfordshire County Showground, Redbourn, AL3 7PT on Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th May 2010 from 9:00am until 5:30pm.
The coordinators for Beeworld are:

• Marian Whittaker, 1 The Old Dairy, Kinsbourne Green Lane, Harpenden AL5 3PF, Mobile: 07778 280706, postman@chevaux.co.uk
• Luke Adams, 53, Park Street Lane, Park Street, St.Albans AL2 2JA, Tel: 01727 768578, Mobile: 07958 324494, ladams@bba.star.co.uk

BEEWORLD will be over two days (three if you include set up) and we need to know which divisions will be present on what days, as well as, what you will be doing on your stand and how many people attending. We do though need to know the number of tables you need by 6th April to pass on to the County Show organisers. Please email or telephone Marian by 6th April.
We will confirm your entry and supply entry passes for the Herts show.
We will ensure that each division providing a display will have 4 passes per day which will be free to the divisions.  In addition there will be a limited number of  show passes which members can buy at the very favourable rate of £10.50 (normal rate £14.50) in exchange for two hours help in manning stands.  HBKA will buy these from the organisers and sell them on at cost to individual members, or divisions can work out their own deal with their members. All tickets deals will only be available to divisions supplying a display and cheap tickets are for helpers only, not all your aunties and cousins!
Last year the following divisions attended Beeworld 2009 doing the following:

• Bishops Stortford – Honey Extraction
• North Herts – Display of Nectar Producing plants
• South East Herts – Observation hive & candle rolling
• St.Albans – Pollination & promotion of beekeeping
• Welwyn – Sale of members hive products

We would welcome the same involvement again if divisions wish but please let us know what you are doing and on what days!
We would also very much welcome Barnet and West Herts Beekeeping divisions – please get in touch.

Winter Losses a Mixed Blessing

by Peter Mathews

I think we have all looked at that 'dead' hive......... then noticed the solitary bee emerge. And, as we gradually realise all is well, we can leave things alone and return home pleased with our efforts in winter preparation.One of the great joys at this time of year is to see all our colonies coming through the winter ready for the warmer weather ahead. That is if we haven't lost any!

Several of our new beekeepers have been expressing calamity and woe because they have lost one of their colonies. That, of course, is why we keep more than one colony. Lose one hive out of one and you are out of business. But,if you have two or three hives it is not the end of the world. Looking back to my early years, I must confess I was greatly relieved to lose the odd colony. For someone in their second year of beekeeping after raising bees from a swarm or nuc the prospect of managing a couple of really strong hive scan be a daunting prospect. This is an even greater challenge if you are not provided with the best tempered bees!

So if you are the odd colony down, bringing on a second colony to replace that lost over winter is a much easier task. Do all you can to bring your bees along, and watch out for queen cells. They are now a very welcome sight. Just follow the steps for an artificial swarm , but now don't re-unite, and you have your 'lost' hive back in business. Honey production may suffer a little but you should end the season with full hives ready for another winter.

St Albans website goes live

The St Albans division has built a new website - see www.sabka.org. Whilst the site is in its early days and still has some development work to be done on it, it is already proving of interest as the site is now getting over 160 visits a month and has received enquiries about beginner’s courses and exhibition days.

The site contains the Division’s current calendar, and also contains an area for members only, which will hold contact details, “non-public” information and messages only meant for members.  The site also contains details for the public about swarms and provides some education about what is a honey bee and what is not!

We have linked Herts Bees to the site (as well as the BBKA and the National Bee Unit) and are open to suggestions for further links.  The Met Office report for St Albans is also linked in.

Linked to the build out of the website has been the creation of a number of “Sabka” email addresses which, once fully in used, we hope will separate out the growing amount of bee related emails from our own home emails, making them both easier to manage and also easier for emails to continue to be routed to the right recipient in the event of a change of committee member.

If any Herts Bees readers have any comments (constructive criticism is welcomed!) or suggestions for the site, we would be happy to receive them at AndrewC@sabka.org, or Secretary@sabka.org.

BBKA Capitation

by David Brown HBKA Treasurer

The Primary capiation date is now the 1st April.  Capitation payments, for all members on the division membership lists at 24.00hrs, become payable for the year from the 1st April to the 31st March. The Second capitation date is the 1st September. Capitation payments, at full rate, for all members on the division membership lists at 24.00hrs, who have joined between 2nd April and the 1st September become payable for the year to the 31st March. There are no capitation payments for members registered after the 1st September until the following 1st April.

In February and August BBKA issues a membership list to Pauline Gibbs, the Membership Secretary, who passes this to the divisions to update. The updates are then passed to BBKA.

On 1st April and the 1st September BBKA issue a capitation invoice to Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association for those registered members on the BBKA list, split by division. I then forward that list to the divisional treasurer adding the capitation for HBKA.

The divisional treasurer updates/amends the list as appropriate, using the BBKA standard update form, and then forwards the required payent to me together with the amendment form. The HBKA members list is then amended/updated by Pauline and BBKA notified of the amendments. Payment for BBKA membership is forwarded by the treasurer to BBKA.

Remember that our members do not receive the benefits of BBKA membership until they have been registered with BBKA. So do not wait for the capitation process before registering your new members during the year.

Contact Pauline Gibbs the new membership secretary as soon as you have any changes to your membership list.

Bee Disease Insurance

Brood Diseases Insurance is part of your BBKA membership fees and is £2.00 per annum for 1-3 colonies. Members can insure more colonies for the following additional premiums:

• Up to 3 colonies, included in your BBKA membership fees
• Up to 5 colonies an additional £2.00
• Up to 10 colonies an additional £5.25
• Up to 15 colonies an additional £7.75
• Up to 20 colonies an additional £9.50
• Up to 25 colonies (an additional £11.10
• For 26 colonies or more please contact your association treasurer.

The insurance becomes effective each year when the annual subscription is paid. Make sure your have sufficient cover as your claim will be refused if you are found to have more colonies than you have cover for.

BDI Compensation Rates (2009 figures)

The rates of compensation for property insured are:

• British Standard Brood Frame £1:90
• All other Brood Frame sizes £2:70
• British Standard Shallow Frame £1.40
• All other Shallow Frame sizes £2:00
• Crown Board £11.30
• Glass Quilt £14.50
• Saleable Honey (30lb maximum) £1.50/lb
• Plastic Queen Excluder £4.00
• Open Mesh Floors £10.00
• Wire Queen Excluder £14.50
• Slotted Steel Queen Excluder £6.00

...subject to condition. No other property will be paid for i.e. hives are not covered.

A tale from the past

by Derek W. Driver, SE Herts

For many years I have had two main interests, Beekeeping and Tracing my family tree. As a member of several history societies, an article in one of our journals caught my interest.

A lady member searching the Hertford quarter sessions for 1845 found a William Aylett, who was convicted of stealing two beehives from Buckney wood near Thunderidge. The judge sentenced William to 7 years transportation, but he was a kind judge, and because William was only sixteen the judge decided to delay the transportation until William was eighteen! Whether he ever returned we do not know.

Over the years there have been a number of occasions of hives and equipment being stolen or damaged but I don’t recall anyone being caught and I would guess that anyone reporting such a theft would find the police would consider it a very low priority.

Its interesting to note the different attitude to property and live stock that existed then and now, especially when one considers the current cost of a new hive plus bees.

Ted Hooper MBE NDB (1918-2010)

by Geoff Mills, Hon. Life Member, Essex Beekeepers Association

It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Ted passed away in hospital last Friday.

Ted was born in Devon over 90 years ago and spent most of his lifetime working with bees and instructing others in the art of beekeeping. He was the County Beekeeping Instructor for Essex for over twenty years, was Chairman of the National Diploma in Beekeeping and Chairman of the BBKA Examination board for many years.

In 1976 his book “A Guide to Bees and Honey” was published and it became the “Bible” of many beekeepers throughout Britain and the world. It has been translated into over twelve languages and has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide. In 1985 in conjunction with Roger Morse, Professor of Apiculture at Cornell University in the USA, Ted co-authored the “Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Beekeeping” that was published by Alpha Books of Sherborne, Dorset, England.

Ted will be sorely missed and our condolences and good wishes go to his wife Joy and their family. I am indebted to many beekeepers for their help in producing this tribute.

http://www.britishbee.org.uk/news/obituaries/ted-hooper-1918-2010.shtml

National Bee Unit - "Bee Base" Registration

by Peter Folge (HBKA Chairman)

Further to discussions during the FERA Conference last week some of the discussions were based on Bee Base https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/index.cfm.

This site has now been revamped and has been given even more protection to prevent identity of any known apiary sites by not revealing any information of these apiaries and their owners. All previous inspections and diagnostics can be viewed once personally registered by the beekeeper (not by the bee inspector).

Due to "Data Protection" the Bedfordshire Beekeeper's Association have included within their Membership  a clause which automatically gives members consent for their details to be used and given to the National Bee Unit for inspectors to visit as and when deemed necessary.

This is something that we should consider the Hertfordshire Beekeepers to do also, although there will be some divisions who may object? I would like to suggest that {divisions} make provisions to get new members included. So far this has not been an issue and every member has been happy to get involved and new bee colonies have so far nearly all been inspected.

We already have a good case example: Members joined and purchased bees last year but have not renewed. Therefore potentially these beekeepers may never get inspected and if within a disease outbreak area or only needing to obtain new bees they could be a potential source of infection.

A new Welwyn member, at the time, did acquire bees from outside Hertfordshire two years ago which was found full of EFB (European Foul Brood) last year and we will now need careful monitoring in the Welwyn area (5km radius from source) for the next couple of years. From the disease levels the bees must have carried the infection for at least the duration of the year or even brought it with them.

Perhaps we can give this some serious thought and we like the Bedfordshire Beekeepers' can incorporate a clause at the end of our Members Application Forms. This would be simple and easy to administer.

Adopt a Beehive

BBKA has teamed up with Saga to launch the "Adopt a Beehive".  This is aimed at the general public to become involved in beekeeping the easy way. The money raised will fund research into honey bee health and education programmes for beekeepers.  The Bee Health Research Concepts include:

• Varroa
• Nosema
• EFB
• The Genetic Potential of the Honey Bee
• Queen Quality
• Honey Bee Nutrition
• Husbandry
• Small Hive Beetle Programme
• Viruses Programme
• Agri‐chemicals
• Medicinal Properties of British Honey
• Honey Bee Habitat

For which is needed £9m. For more information go to www.adoptabeehive.co.uk.

HBKA AGM

The HBKA AGM took place in Tewin on 27th March.

Following the main AGM business (and lunch in the Rose & Crown) we had the pleasure of two interesting talks that lasted the afternoon.

Ray Smith spoke about the history of the skep beehive that had been used for thousands of years before the modern day hive perfected by Reverend Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth in 1851. A medium-sized skep takes Ray about 7 hours to make.

Ray Smith making a skep

  Peter learning how to make a skep

Following Ray's demonstration we had an interesting talk from Dr Juliet Osborne about her team's research work at Rothamsted. It is examining the multiple factors and the complexity of interactions between different factors affecting honeybee colonies, whether these are within the landscape or within the hive itself. The project involves both models and experiments.  The experimental part currently focuses on nutrition and disease, as these are two components that have been highlighted by a plethora of studies as playing an important role in honeybee colony health. The advantage of using a modelling approach is that they can explore the relative importance of, and interactions between, the multitude of factors that affect honeybee colony strength and survival in the landscape, without having to do experiments on each factor individually nor repeat studies for which a multitude of data already exists. For further information Juliet invited us all to the Rothamsted Open Weekend on 22nd & 23rd May.

The BBKA Course in a Case®

Members Announcement

At the Spring Convention, the British Beekeepers Association will announce the launch of the first 'Course in a Case'  - the start of its radical new three year programme to improve the education of beekeepers.  The first CiC will be an introduction to beekeeping for beginners.

As part of the BBKA's commitment to education, each Member Association will receive one 'Course in a Case' (CiC) FREE of charge. Some are also being made available to the WBKA and the SBKA on the same basis by application through their National Secretary.

Distribution will take place in the next two weeks, so that as many Associations as possible will have had a chance to become familiar with the CiC before the Spring Convention.

For BBKA Member Associations, the CiC will be sent directly to the Secretary, but if you wish to collect your CiC at the Spring Convention, please contact  the BBKA office as soon as possible.)

We believe this new approach to training will be welcome by associations and we will be following up to record who will be responsible for the use of the material in the Associations' educational activity and, later in the year, how much use has been made of it and any suggestions for improvement.

This record will also be used to supply replacement parts, updates and information on future products.

Further copies of the CiC will be available on the following terms:

1. A special offer of one additional copy per BBKA Branch for £50, up to the end of October 2010.
2. Second and subsequent copies per Branch (and the first copy from Nov 1st 2010) for £95.
3. Sale to the general public and educational establishments through BBKA Enterprises at any time - £150.

All prices are exclusive of delivery (currently £8.50 for UK mainland). You can also arrange collection from BBKA HQ.

For Sale

Three overwintered 5 frames Nucs at £80 each for collection.

Regards, Caterina (Tel. 01920 420 862)

March 2010

Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association AGM

27th March 2010

Memorial Hall, 11a Lower Green, Tewin

12:00 AGM
12:30 Lunch
14:00 Skep Making by Ray Smith (Bedfordshire BKA librarian)
15:00 Rothamsted bee research by Juliette Osborne (Pollination Ecologist)

Editorial by Paul Cooper

When is spring going to start? With this prolonged cold and wet winter we're having, it is all the more important to ensure that colonies have enough food. The queen is laying more so as to have plenty of adult bees when the spring flowers come into blossom. So bees need pollen (often collecting from catkins at this time of year) and honey stores which, if depleted, can be supplemented with fondant/candy.

Details of the HBKA AGM have now been published. Please come along even if it is only for the afternoon talks about skep making and the research being performed at Hertfordshire's own bee research establishment in Harpenden.

West Herts news by Margaret Tighe

As I type this there is at last a feel of spring about the garden, despite the fact it is still somewhat cold! 

The WHBK Association are springing into action with their AGM which is to be held in the dining room at Croxley House, Croxley Green, WD3 3JB, at 8pm Monday, 1st March.   This is the one event in our calendar at which the majority of members, associate members, potential members all get-tougher and is well worth attending.   

Having heard that we can get a discount on sugar at Bookers Cash and Carry, I thought readers might be interested to hear something my elderly cousin told me recently.  During the Second World War, her mother kept bees, and the Government gave her 80 lbs (she was not 100% sure about the amount) of sugar per hive, each year.  This must have been a great incentive to beekeepers!

Bishops Stortford news by Paul Cooper

The Bishops Stortford division held its first meeting of the year and AGM on 17th February.  We had an excellent turn-out as the group continues to grow in membership.  Our chairman (Dennis Osborne) and treasurer (Pauline Gibbs) were re-elected and Jane Moseley was elected as the new secretary.  The apiary visits for the year are:

10 Apr - John Dockerill
01 May - Pauline Gibbs
22 May - Julia Saunders
12 Jun - Alan Lewis
03 Jul - Dennis Osborne
24 Jul - Paul Cooper
21 Aug - Tony O'Connor
11 Sep - TBA

Addresses will be published nearer the time.

Our invited speaker was Robin Dartington of BuzzWorks. He gave a fascinating and inspiring talk on the development of the project and showed many pictures of its progress. It is providing a valuable education resource for north Hertfordshire and Robin welcomes any visitors from across the county.  Please call before going. BuzzWorks needs more space so a second project has been started called HoneyWorks at another allotment site in Hitchin.

Alan Lewis organised an Introduction to Beekeeping talk in Bishops Stortford on 19th February. We had quite a few interested members of the public and expect to see some of them at future apiary meetings.

North Herts news by Christine Phillips

At our last meeting Roger Patterson, in his talk “A New Approach to Beekeeping” described his method of maintaining a support colony for every four hives in an apiary. This could be used to provide a replacement queen or extra brood or stores – whatever is needed – and seems a good plan, although the talk was a little confusing, especially for newer members and beginners.

Beginners evening

Graham will be holding a beginners evening at Howgills at 7.30pm on March 2nd. All beginners are welcome and there is no charge.

AGM

The AGM will be on March 16th (sorry it said February 16th in the last newsletter) at Howgills starting at 7.45pm with last year's minutes available from 7.30pm. There will also be a table for second-hand equipment sales and after the tea-break the N. Herts famous (infamous?) honey tasting so please come along bringing a jar of honey and any beekeeping bits and pieces no longer needed.

Cups

If you were one of the winners last year or in previous years and still have a cup gathering dust somewhere PLEASE RETURN YOUR CUP in time for the AGM.

April meeting

April 20th will be our last indoor meeting of the winter. Our topics will be record keeping and swarm control. Andy Johnston has kindly agreed to talk to us about the former (how many of us keep adequate records, including a vetinary medicines record kept for five years?)

As for swarming, some bees decided to be up and off in April last year. Maybe they will be a little later in 2010 but we need to be prepared, so come with suggestions, advice, old wives tales, myths or magic and we can have a discussion on the best methods of thwarting their natural instincts.

St Albans news by Christine Aitken

St Albans Division has a large programme of apiary meetings, events and open days planned for 2010. This in addition to our beginners course and mentoring of our new beekeepers will be challenging for the committee and our apiary beekeepers so we shall shortly be contacting all members to request a couple of hours help in 'meeting the public' at these events. Those who took part in past years have found it rewarding and great fun. Please support us in our efforts to promote beekeeping.

BeeWorld has been held at Capel Manor Horticultural Institute during their London City Farms Festival Day for the last seven years. St Albans Division arranged the first one, it has come full circle and it is our turn again to organize the event. This year however we are attending a different venue. We will be at the Herts Show on the weekend of May 29th/30th at the Redbourn Showground. HBKA spent many successful years at this venue in the past and new management and a new interested public could make this a really good place to get our message across. The co-ordinators for BeeWorld 2010 will be Marian Whittaker and Luke Adams who will be contacting the secretaries of each division shortly.  

We are having the Apiary clean-ups on 20th March at Prae Wood from 10 - 12 and at Oaklands from 2 - 3pm. 

The first meeting of the season will be held at Prae Wood Apiary on the 24th April at 3.00pm when the topic will be 'Swarms' followed by a Q & A session. 

HBKA  AGM reminder it is on 27th March at Tewin Memorial Hall, Lower Green, Tewin, Welwyn.

SE Herts news by John Mumford

Our 63rd. AGM was attended by 17 members and 6 non-members and went off OK. Derek Driver resigned from the committee and therefore gave up the Chairmanship after 7 years in the post. Tom Dawson was then chosen by the incoming committee to be our Chairman for 2010.

Roy Cropley was unable to finalise the accounts: -  this is mainly due to the recent change in the BBKA Constitution and the way affiliation Fees are now determined. The BBKA Register is not well maintained which leads to all sorts of other problems (no BBKA News and no Beginners Packs). On the up side we did however make a profit of more than £500.00 on the year. A copy of the accounts will be circulated once they are complete.

NOTE    I have to take all members who don’t pay their subscriptions before 31st March from the BBKA Register and they then loose all BBKA benefits.

Full Annual Subscriptions are to remain as last year - £20.00 with a £2.00 discount if paid before 31st March - Associate Membership remains at £5.00. Members who didn’t attend the AGM should find a 2010 Subscription Remittance Slip with this Newsletter.

The speaker for the Winter Meeting at Pinewood School at 8.00pm on Thursday 11th March has not yet been confirmed, but if he can’t make it we propose to have a ‘Beekeeper’s Question Time’, with questions from the audience.

The bees continue to battle against the cold weather, and I was pleasantly surprised a few days ago when the bees did get out and have a fly around at how well they have done. The 4-Frame Nucs have done very well, and I hope to have a few Nucs and Colonies for sale around mid April - yes the weather will improve!

The next Committee Meeting will be at 8.00pm. on Thursday 25th March at Andrews Lane.

February 2010

Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association AGM - 27th March 2010

The AGM will be held on Saturday 27th March 2010 at the Tewin Memorial Hall, 11a Lower Green, Tewin, Welwyn, Herts, AL6 0JX. The agenda and speakers will appear in the next edition of Herts Bees. Please put the date in your diary.

Editorial by Paul Cooper

A belated happy new year to you and your bees.

The controversial issue that was published in the first version and then removed from the second version of the December 2009 newsletter was discussed at length at the HBKA Exec meeting on the 12th January.  It has been decided that Herts Bees will not get drawn into national issues such as, for example, the debate that can be summarised as beekeeping using "natural, chemical-free" methods vs beekeeping using "approved treatments for bee diseases", especially where they are critical of the BBKA of which we are all members. If you are interested then there are plenty of websites available to follow some of the more "controversial" beekeeping methods but it is not the place of Herts Bees to promote them.

Herts Bees will focus on local issues and on giving advice and guidance to beekeepers, especially our newer members. I will occasionally throw in other articles (such as the one below from BBC News) where the content is relevant and newsworthy but is clearly not just promoting a particular campaign.

The original article did cause Dr Juliet Osborne of Rothamsted to write an email to me strongly defending the research work that they are doing. I want to take this opportunity to thank her for the response and to say that as Hertfordshire's local bee research centre, HBKA members should show their support for the work at Rothamsted and make their Open Weekend a success by going along on 22nd / 23rd May and talking to her team. 

And now to the bees.  It has been a long a cold winter and so the winter stores will be depleted. Now is the time to think about giving them a spring boost. I have found that a block of candy over the feed hole of the crown board is consumed rapidly if stores are low or if there is too much solid oilseed rape honey. There was a recipe in a recent Bee Craft magazine that works for me and I have just added it to the Tips section of this website.

The Herts Bees calendar is looking a little empty so please send me your meeting dates for the year and I will update it.

Don't forget the AGM on the 27th March.  See you there.

Bee World has moved

The St Albans branch are organising Bee World this year and have decided on something different.

Bee World this year will be at the Herts County Show on 29th/30th May near Redbourn.

 

In the past the co-ordinator would find out from each division what they are prepared to undertake, how much room and tables they require and how many stewards they think they will have, there will be no change except that with a 2-day show it is unlikely that each division will be able to man their stand for both days so we are proposing to allocate a set number of tables (say 3 or 4) and have them manned by whichever division is available for which day.

As Bee World will occur sooner this year than usual we will be in touch with each Division after the Herts AGM concerning the issues.

News from the BBKA ADM

by Peter Mathews

I have just noted here those items of either immediate interest or where detail may not be reported elsewhere. Otherwise see the next BBKA News for better coverage.

Our new BBKA President is Martin Smith. The only choice, but an excellent one!

Unlike 2009, all candidates for the Executive and Examinations Board gave a short presentation to introduce themselves. Whilst this still left a difficult choice as they were all excellent candidates, it was a big improvement on printed notes and a 'pin'. This also obviates the need for any choice at our HBKA Exec meeting - which is just as well, as most candidates are little known to us.

Other News

1. Queen Rearing.  Some comments on lack of progress on queen rearing. It was pointed out that BBKA is not a research body, and doesn't undertake this work. BBKA only acts as a facilitator. However, the BBKA is using some of its research fund to co-sponsor research at the University of Sussex for 3 years at £12k per year. This will examine 'hygienic bees' with an aim to understanding the heritability of desired characteristics.
2. 'Beekeeping Course In A Box'. This will be available from the end of February. Associations will be entitled to one unit free of charge, but will be required to provide feedback on how it is used. Further boxes will be available for purchase at £75 each.
3. BBKA Research Fund - At £63,000 this is very modest, and more than half has been allocated qv (1). At this level it can only cover joint sponsorship or feasibility studies. Donations to the fund from associations, divisions or individuals would be very welcome. [NL]
4. Members are urged to enter the Spring raffle. Top prize is an incredibly expensive bottle of whisky.
5. New Holland Tractors are the latest sponsors of BBKA with a special interest in helping combat bees losses. Clearly, sponsoring beekeeping is seen as a very good and green thing to do.
6. BBKA calendar. With 2011 in mind, photographs of beekeeping subjects would be welcomed by BBKA Enterprises.   [NL]
7. One change to the BBKA Basic Exam is that candidates should have kept bees for at least a year. It was noted that some associations sponsor exam candidates.
8. No change in capitation is envisaged before 2012. Currently this is £14.
9. BBKA are planning a new web site, and David Aston would like to hear from anyone who would like to help on this from a design perspective. [NL]

Propositions

These will be reported in full elsewhere, but some personal views...........

The Propositions with full wording are published in BBKA News and the website (if you are keenly interested)

01/ For  pro-rata capitation - failed

02/ For joint collection of capitation and BDI - failed

03/ To end endorsement of pesticides - failed

I expected this to be a very close vote following all the recent publicity supporting the proposition. But, the source of this publicity may have antagonised members to vote against.   Surprisingly, the membership vote against (ie for the current approval policy) actually increased from that of last year. Briefly, there were two views i) the use of the logo is bad for the image of BBKA  and ii) farmers and other users are enthusiastic about the use of clear labelling which helps in their decision to use more bee friendly products. Herts voted against the proposition, but asked the Exec to consider a middle road of exploring a new labelling scheme with a new logo introduced specifically for this purpose.

04/ retain skills of retiring officers - failed. Existing processes already handle this.

05/ That BBKA rejoin the Fera Healthy Bees Project Board - failed

• BBKA has made every attempt at collaboration in the course of 6 meetings with Fera
• BBKA relations with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, as a comparison, have been excellent
• Fera have not revealed any of their budgets or finances.
• Lord Davies is angered at the Fera position and made clear that it is intolerable.
• BBKA have used BBKA contact information to e-mail members re the C&G train A Trainer Courses. This was done without permission.
• Fera have also approached members directly for consultancy work.
• Fera have already funded some ill conceived projects:- a) The C&G Trainer course is not what members want - we need a bee specific courses aimed at divisions rather than counties. b) a sociology project to investigate why people take up beekeeping! c) NBU are not publishing results of their work carried out in the course of the project, because they have no target to do this!
• One view considered that this proposal was effectively a vote of no confidence in the Exec.
• BBKA are getting much support from the Opposition (Conservative Party) and things could change with a new government.

09/ Display material - carried. This will be made available.

Hope you can follow all this which is in a hurried note form. But, things are happening.

Happy to answer any questions.

SE Herts news by John Mumford

With the Winter almost over it’s time to start preparations for a new beekeeping season. My bees have come through winter in fine fettle. They are strong, and have not used as much stores as I had expected, but  that will all change as soon as brood rearing get started. I still have one colony dropping more Varroa mites than I would like so I need to get that sorted before I have to start putting supers on.

Our 63rd AGM will be held at 8.00pm on Thursday 11th February 2010 at Pinewood School. All information has bee sent to members in the normal manner.

Are we to continue to arrange Apiary Meetings to which nobody attends?

Bishops Stortford news by Paul Cooper

Some serious woodpecker defence. Picture by Jane Moseley.The Bishops Stortford AGM will take place on Wednesday 17th February at 19:30 at Little Acorns, 10 Redricks Lane, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 0RL.

Our guest speaker is Robin Dartington who will be talking about his highly successful initiative called BuzzWorks in Hitchin. He is also the person behind the Dartington hive and the design of the Beehaus from Omlet. Come along and be inspired.

Also, the Bishops Stortford group decided that rather than running a course (and all of the hard work and commitment that requires) we would give a talk giving an introduction to beekeeping. Anyone that is interesting in taking up beekeeping can then attend our regular apiary meeting and learn hands-on from the 'experts'.

Alan Lewis has very kindly organised the talk which has been advertised locally:

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A BEEKEEPER

Due to the great interest shown in beekeeping I propose to give an introductory talk on Bee Keeping, outlining the work, enjoyment, interest and general requirements. There will be a demonstration of the equipment. After the talk and demonstration there will be a break for tea and I will answer any questions.

Doors will open at 7 pm on Friday the 19th of February at Markwell Pavillion, Castle Gardens, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2EL.

There will be a token charge to cover the cost of the hall. The meeting will close at 10pm

Speaker A. G. Lewis (07749262144)

North Herts news by Christine Phillips

Woodpeckers have been busy at Nortonbury this winter. Somehow they have managed to get inside chicken wire and make small holes in many of N.Herts' hives. Fortunately the bees seem to have survived and on the one sunny day recently when the temperature climbed to an amazing 8C several hives had bees circling, stretching their wings and presumably emptying their bowels. A welcome sight after the long cold winter. I hope they don't get too active though before the fresh spring pollen and nectar is available to them.

Next meeting

To get us thinking about how to be better beekeepers this season Roger Patterson will be at our February meeting (16th) with some suggestions for a “New Approach to Beekeeping” It should be an interesting and entertaining talk. Roger is a well known beekeeper from W. Sussex and is also involved with BBKA, BIBBA and BDI.

AGM

Our AGM for 2010 will be on February 16th at Howgills at 7.45pm.  Minutes of last year's AGM will be available from 7.30pm.

May I wish everyone a very happy 2010 with good health and plentiful honey. Hope to see as many of you as possible at Roger's talk on 16th at 7.30pm at Howgills. Anyone who hasn't been to Howgills before please give me a ring for directions – 01462 623826.

St Albans news by Christine Aitken

AGM on the 22nd January 2010

Attendance was 29 members and 8 visitors.

John Garbutt was elected Treasurer for 2010 and Luke Adams and Richard Peterson were re-elected to the committee. The other officers Eileen Remnant and Christine Aitken and the committee of Marian Whittaker, Robin Moore and Andrew Copley remain as 2009. David Brown will co-opted at the next committee meeting in February.

Garri Wiest, one of our members, then gave us a fascinating talk on beekeeping in Portugal entitled:-

"O Mel produto tradicional da Beira Litoral, Portugal."

The evening ended with a wine and cheese social. Thank you to Eric Margrave for organizing the refreshments.

Beginners Course

Our Beginners Course with 26 participants starts on February 12th 2010.

BeeWorld 2010

St Albans Division is scheduled to co-ordinate BeeWorld at Capel Manor in September 2010. Other HBKA divisions will be contacted shortly and new ideas and suggestions for the event will be very welcome.

Welwyn news by Peter Folge

If we look hard enough we will soon start seeing the days growing longer and the bees will start responding and commence with some brood rearing as fresh pollen becomes available. Next Month we must begin to monitor our hives to see if they have adequate food reserves to get them through the last stage of the winter.

There have been some members concerned about finding dead bees outside and around the hives...just make sure entrances are kept clear so that bees can get out as small entrances can soon become blocked!

It is quite normal to find some bees here and there.

Another thing to watch out for is dampness under the roof especially after all the rain and snow. This can be a real problem if roofs are not water tight. Also be on the guard as 'clued up' woodpeckers can damage a hive in no time. Mice can also move in especially through unprotected entrances.

There have been some reports coming in of some colony losses. Possible causes could be down to colonies going into winter in a poor condition or colonies that have entered winter with not many bees or stores. Beginners it seems are being tempted to open hives to see if all is well and I would like to stress that it is better not to intervene just yet...If colonies were fed adequately in the autumn and treated for Varroa in August and the hives feel heavy to the touch by hefting, this is a good sign. On a warmer day, a quick rap with the knuckles on the side of the hive should give a clear indication if all is well inside.... If the bees respond with a short roar/buzz which dies down quickly this is excellent. If the sound persists this could mean queenlessness and if you hear nothing well....

I have just had a quick look yesterday (Jan 26th) and have found a couple of colonies with less than a handful of bees and these did go into winter as a very large colonies. Again is there any reason? They were adequately treated and plenty of food is still in the hive but the bees have gone? Where? Another colony started buzzing and the noise from within did not die down - possibly queenless?

... Could these deaths be Nosema ceranae? Certainly no sign of many dead bees anywhere?

I am going to take a hard line this year. I will let the bees be and not pamper them with extra feed in the spring... If they make it then they are suitable candidates and perhaps more resistant to our UK weather conditions rather than all these other, possibly imported strains, not adapted or so disease resistant as our locally raised bees. This is the stance I took many years ago and after their autumn feed and treatments colonies were left well alone until beginning April. Like so many others I hardly ever lost a colony over winter it was a very rare occurrence, which now seems a much greater than ever before.

It will be interesting to see if beekeepers who have been treating with Fumidil B (for Nosema) have a better over wintering rate than beekeepers who have not? (I personally do not want to go down this route and have not treated for 15 years or more).

If you do loose a colony make sure you block the entrance to prevent access to other bees until a thorough diagnostic inspection can be made.

If you have any queries please to not hesitate and contact a local representative first.

Before I forget; a quick reminder - Welwyn subscriptions if not paid, are due in by February next month. If not received you will unfortunately no longer receive any further correspondence from the Welwyn beekeeping Association. I would therefore like to thank everyone for their support last year who helped renew interest in our division and we look forward to some new and interesting social events that we will be introducing this year.

I look forward to seeing you all again this year,

Best Wishes for 2010.

West Herts news by Margaret Tighe

By the time you read this it will be over four months since our last apiary meeting and the thought of those very pleasant Saturday afternoon apiary meetings, last year, seem to be a distant memory now!

On my first hive inspection this year it was a cold day and the bees were not venturing out. I opened the top of my small brood, which was a swarm or possibly a cast which we collected early in July, to ensure they had enough candy.  I was pleased to see the bees busy inside having survived the cold weather so far! I tried to listen to my larger hive which I did not want to disturb unnecessarily as it had plenty of food on it, but there was a tractor in the neighbouring field so I could not hear. I have since been advised by a very experienced beekeeper that, if one puts one's hand over the top of a hive, in cold weather, it should be possible to feel warmth coming up from an active hive. I will test this out on my next visit!

We will be having an AGM in the next month or so and members will be notified as soon as the date is arranged.

BuzzWorks news by Robin Dartington

A year has passed since the last progress report on developing BuzzWorks, Hitchin's Community Bee Garden. We had then started to spend the £25,000 construction grant from WREN and the water supply was in, the huge poplars reduced to half height and the log cabin for the Discovery Centre erected.  The construction phase ended last November with the Bee Flower Garden built and planted by Sam Thomas, and the Demonstration Shelter, General Store and Compost Toilet built by Brian Fairey and Peter Bracey.

The framework for an educational exhibition on the world of bees has been installed in the Discovery Centre by our sponsor, Jordans Cereals,  including splendid observation hive holding four 14x12 frames.  Hexagonal frames (595 high by 520mm wide) hold 68 full and half-sized information panels - these now need to be re-worked to increase the educational content so that local schools can use the site for topic teaching themed on bees at Key Stage 2.  The panels are arranged in 7 chapters, the importance of bees, where you find bees, anatomy, the bees’ nest, pollination, products of the hive and current problems facing bees.

BuzzWorks works in partnership with North Herts District Council who won us a Green Apple Regional Gold Environmental Award in 2009. This is a national scheme and we are told competition is strong, so winning even before we are complete was encouraging.

Work in 2010 will focus on devising video clips, models, microscope slides, quiz sheets, games, cabinet displays and further information folders plus colouring sheets to allow children of all ages to engage fully with the information available across the whole site. A £1,000 grant has been obtained from the county council Locality Budget for a feasibility study prior to full design and production under another grant - we are applying for £10,000 from Awards-4-All towards the £16,500 we estimate is still needed to make BuzzWorks fully fit-for-use as a museum open to the public.

The hives at BuzzWorks thrived in 2009 perhaps a little too well. The number of colonies has swelled to 10 plus 4 nucs, more than the site limit of 8 – despite selling 4 nucs at attractive prices. The apiary is both crowded and unsuitable for giving the public more than a first experience of a beehive. So we have obtained another site from the council, a ? acre of derelict allotments for HoneyWorks Beekeeping Training Centre.  The first job has been to clear 1/3 acre of trees.  The core group of 7 BuzzWorks members has swollen to a list of 25 volunteers who can be called on to help.  In addition, local tree surgeons donated 3 days, the Probation Service has used the site for training and the volunteer force from the adjoining Nature Reserve cut & laid a hedge on the common boundary.  Now we need to drag out roots, scoop a large pond, plant hedges and sow with wildflowers – hopefully with a grant from Fiskars Orange Thumb.  The apiary will take 20 hives of various sorts, some from BuzzWorks, some rather derelict spares, three free samples from hive suppliers (including an Omlet beehaus), two already made for us by the Probation Service workshop and private hives brought temporarily to site by newbys.  We will start some sort of training this summer – it will all keep us busy. Adding the Picnic Area, the Training Building, Store, Apiary Shed, Toilet and Gazebo as the heart of an open-air exhibition of beekeeping through the ages will have to wait – one thing at a time.

The invitation to anyone interested in joining/contributing to any of the work remains open……

     

HoneyWorks - sweet labour

  

National Honey Show – St Georges College, Weybridge, Surrey. 28th - 30th October 2010

www.honeyshow.co.uk

It's a bit early to be thinking about the National Honey Show isn’t it?  Well, not really, especially if you are new to beekeeping and joined your local association after 1st August 2009. Is that you? If so, you can get in free! To get your free ticket you need to ask your association secretary to apply on your behalf to the NHS General Secretary. Your secretary will need to supply your name, address and your email address if you have one. The NHS is run entirely by volunteers. Using email helps simplify the administration. The cut off date for applications is 31st July and time rushes by when the season starts so get that application in now.

This year the show will be bigger than ever. The trade stands will all be together in a brighter hall and there will be a proper lecture theatre with tiered seating. A full programme of workshops and lectures with world class speakers will run during the show and there will be a wide selection of equipment and books to buy.

Whilst you wait for the active season to start, why not have a look at the NHS website? You will find lots of information about the show and notes on a wide range of beekeeping subjects; all written by experts in their fields.

Beekeeping Survey

Our local bee inspector (Keith Morgan, Food & Environment Research Agency, Regional Bee Inspector, Eastern Region) has asked us to complete Defra survey on beekeeping.

Defra has commissioned People Science and Policy and East Malling research to conduct a study to better understand beekeepers' husbandry practices and how these are influenced by the advice available to them. Beekeepers’ opinions and experiences are a very important part of the study, which will help to improve advice and training for beekeepers, including the work being undertaken to raise beekeeping husbandry standards as part of Defra and Welsh Assembly Government’s Healthy Bees Plan.

We would like to gather views from beekeepers across England and Wales, both from those who are entirely new to the craft as well as from those with years of experience.

The survey can be found by clicking here.

BBKA Annual Delegates Meeting

by Peter Mathews

Proposition /03 - "The BBKA shall cease to endorse pesticides and insecticides as soon as contractually possible"

There are some sharply divided opinions on this proposition which was originally discussed in 2003 and 2009. On both previous votes, delegates agreed to support the current policy. Under the standing orders it should not have been on the agenda this year, but a petition organised by Twickenham saw it being discussed again.

Back in 2000, BBKA set up a farmer education programme. As part of this programme  BBKA were asked to provide independent guidance on 'bee friendly' insecticides . In the current approval process products are subject to independent testing. Test results are reviewed by the BBKA Technical Committee. Those products meeting requirements are then approved by the BBKA. Suppliers are then allowed to use a form of words agreed by BBKA together with use of the BBKA logo in return for a fee. There are only 4 approved products, all pyrethroids (similar to what we ourselves were using to control varroa!). The total income from fees is £17,000 pa,  equivalent to £1 capitation.        [N.B. The BBKA does not endorse these products in the normal sense of the word.]

One of the Herts BKA divisions discussed this and agreed unanimously to support the proposition to 'cease endorsement'. Following discussion at the Herts Exec Meeting, the body of opinion was firmly the other way i.e. against the resolution. Further discussion at the ADM resolved two main views:-

1. The association of the BBKA logo with insecticides is bad for our public image.
2. Delegates with farming connections regarded the use of the logo as providing strong guidance for farmers in selecting a 'bee friendly' spray.

One of the strong arguments against the proposition was that we have suffered no major losses from spray for many years. If we were to withdraw product guidance then farmers might be expected to use the most effective products, which are not 'bee friendly'. The use of the logo in this way is very popular with farmers. One failing in the proposition is that it offered no alternative to the current policy.

The BBKA Exec were themselves divided on this, and expressed no view or opinion. They were happy with either outcome and simply wanted a clear decision from delegates.

Herts BKA voted against the proposition with an informal request that the Executive explore alternative methods of approval with the possible introduction of new labelling and a new logo introduced specifically for this purpose.

Voting for the current product approval policy [ie against the proposition] was 9,829 (7,255) and votes against 4,588 (4,056). The 2009 votes are given in brackets. Thus, the proposition failed, attracting a smaller percentage of the vote than last year.

Bigger Boxes?

If you are thinking of moving to a National Deep brood box ie 14" x 12" then you may have delivery problems. Thornes tell us they are completely out of, and working flat out to supply orders. They have been completely surprised by a big increase in demand for the larger brood box. It would seem most of the orders come from Hertfordshire! They hope to be fully stocked again by next month.

If you too are thinking of getting a larger brood box, then you might want to consider a Modified Commercial brood box instead. The MC is only a few mms different in size from National and you can use your old National supers. Just beware of top or bottom bee space. Foundation size is 16" x 10" giving a very useful brood area. Interestingly, the Commercial/National combination is very popular in Essex. It just goes to show the marketing effects of your local guru.

New Beekeepers

by Derek Driver (SE Herts)

Recently, talking to a group of students on Barnet’s Beekeeping course, I advised them to visit as many apiaries as possible. So they could see various types of hives and management styles, plus experience all sorts of bees and to handle short lugs, long lugs, and various sizes of frames. By doing so their knowledge and experience would greatly increase and assist them in managing their own bees.

Many seemed to be surprised when I mentioned that in our division everyone had their own apiary and this was also the position for most beekeepers. Although I understand why one or two groups allow new beekeepers to place their hives on association sites. To allow them to stay on year after year is in my opinion not good practice. There comes a time when newcomers must stand on their own. Experienced members I’m sure would be only too willing to advise and assist if asked, with regard to assessing a new site.

Most members unfortunately seldom attend other divisional meetings so may I make a plea that in 2010 everyone does their best to visit another divisional meeting. Its always interesting to see how other groups work and meet members to discuss common problems and solutions. Beekeepers are a friendly crowd and only too wiling to help new members.

I understand from Barnet members that this year they intend to “break out” and come to other divisional meetings, so if you see a new face at your next meeting then ensure they are made most welcome. You never know it might be me!!

I do hope Barnet’s secretary will keep us all informed via the newsletter, of all the meetings they intend to have this year. Once we get out of this ice age I’m sure our bees will make up and go like the preverbal clappers! So may I take this opportunity to wish everyone the best of beekeeping for the forthcoming season.

Defra Beekeeping study

Defra has commissioned People Science and Policy Ltd and East Malling Research to conduct a study to better understand new beekeepers' husbandry practices and how these are influenced by the advice available to them.  Beekeepers’ opinions and experiences are a very important part of the study, which will help to improve advice and training for new beekeepers, including the work being undertaken to raise beekeeping husbandry standards as part of Defra and Welsh Assembly Government’s Healthy Bees Plan.

I am contacting you as secretary of the Hertfordshire beekeeping association to ask for your help with this work.  We would be very grateful if you could publicise the study among your members. We are looking for beekeepers with all levels of experience; however we are particularly keen to hear from those with less than two years experience. Answers will be treated in confidence. People can register to take part by going to www.pspq.com/beestudy.

The study will be running until the end of February 2010.  We are asking:

• beekeepers with less than two years experience to take part in a questionnaire of approximately 20 minutes; and
• beekeepers with more than two years experience to register for either a short telephone interview or to take part in a questionnaire of approximately 20 minutes.

We would be very grateful if you are able to help us with this work. If you have any questions please reply to this email or call Alan Worley on 0203 102 8137.

Kind Regards, Tara

BBC News - Bee decline linked to falling biodiversity

by Richard Black, environment correspondent, BBC News website

The decline of honeybees seen in many countries may be caused by reduced plant diversity, research suggests.

Bees fed pollen from a range of plants showed signs of having a healthier immune system than those eating pollen from a single type, scientists found.

Writing in the journal Biology Letters, the French team says that bees need a fully functional immune system in order to sterilise food for the colony.

Other research has shown that bees and wild flowers are declining in step.

Two years ago, scientists in the UK and The Netherlands reported that the diversity of bees and other insects was falling alongside the diversity of plants they fed on and pollinated.

To continue reading, please see the full article at news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8467746.stm

Bees Abroad

by Veronica Brown

Administrator

Bees Abroad UK Ltd
info@beesabroad.org.uk

tel: 0117 230 0231

On 21st March 2010, Bees Abroad UK Ltd will be hosting a Welcome Day at the National Beekeeping Centre at Stoneleigh Park. For the last 10 years Bees Abroad have been beavering away quietly in a very hands-on way with a variety of projects in developing countries. We help to set up businesses and market honey as well as train beekeepers. We also spend a lot of time raising funds for our projects. All of this takes a lot of effort but Bees Abroad works on the principle that a shared load is a lighter load. We need help in all areas of our work.

So we are holding a Welcome Day for potential volunteers to come along,
at no obligation, to learn more about Bees Abroad and its projects. Meet those involved and talk about sustainable beekeeping and how you can help in ways big and small.
The one-day event will consist of seminars and discussions. Topics will include: Creating a sustainable beekeeping project, the work we do at home and the work we do abroad. Please would you be kind enough to print the attached flier or forward this message to your members who perhaps may be interested in coming along. We need to know numbers by 14th March 2010.

Annual Bee Market and Auction

by Graham Elliott (WSBKA)

With the new beekeeping season fast approaching the West Sussex Beekeepers’ Association is again organising a Bee Market and Auction for the benefit of members and non members. The event will take place at Chichester College's Brinsbury Campus in Pulborough on Saturday 24th April 2010.  A copy of the Auction flyer and entry form is attached.  For further details visit the new West Sussex BKA website www.britishbee.org.uk/local/westsussex or contact me by email or phone 01403 752493.

Paynes Southdown Bee Farms (www.paynesbeefarm.co.uk) will again be in attendance.  Any orders placed with them online before 24 April may be collected from their stand at Brinsbury. Please ensure you indicate collection will be from Brinsbury when placing your order.

December 2009 / January 2010

Editorial by Paul Cooper

Welcome to the winter edition of Herts Bees.

This will be the last edition until February. By then the queen will be starting to lay again and the colony's demand for winter stores will begin to increase and hence may be prone to starvation.  More on that in the next edition.  Meanwhile all we can do is check that our hives are mouse and woodpecker proof and suitably weighted down if they are exposed to strong winds.

There is not much news this month except for updates on the winter meetings and plans for your AGMs.  If you need to know when they are happening then please check the online calendar for details of all meetings across Hertfordshire.

Have a very Merry Christmas and I wish everyone a Happy New Year.

North Herts news by Christine Phillips

The Letchworth Greenway was opened in 2003 and at an interesting talk last Tuesday we learned of the miles of hedgerows and thousands (27,000) of trees that have been planted along it so far, and of the picnic sites and education areas created. More woodland, hedgerows and community orchards are planned, and this winter the wide field margins of the Letchworth Farms Estate will be sown with wild flowers. All bees in the area should be very pleased as well as other insects, birds and small mammals.

Volunteers wanted at Willian Apiary

We are lucky enough to have been given an apiary site on the Greenway which is in a wonderful place from the forage point of view, but at present is not sufficiently separated from the public along one side. To remedy this Letchworth H.F. will provide us with plants for a mixed native hedge. When they arrive help will be needed to put them in. Although we can't set a date until they come, if you would like to be involved please give me a ring on 01462 623826.

N. Herts Christmas Party

The Christmas party is almost upon us. If you missed the last meeting and would like to come, or need directions to Boxwood give me a ring. (number above)

Next meeting

February 16th 7.30pm at Howgills. Roger Patterson's talk “A New Approach to Beekeeping” should be entertaining and, he says, will include something about nucs.

AGM

March 16th – usual time – usual place

Hope to see most of you at Boxwood but to those unable to come all the very best of Christmas wishes and a happy New Year.

St Albans news by Christine Aitken

Honey Show held on 27th November at the United Reformed Church Hall, Chiswell Green, St Albans. 

With 43 people attending our Honey Show and Social, 15 jars of honey to taste and judge, lots of gorgeous food and plenty of time to socialize - we had a really good evening. Competition for the Cup resulted in:

1st  Anne Wingate  -  2nd  Stuart Thorne  -  3rd  Andrea Hill

Our Chair - Eileen Remnant also presented certificates (and badges) to Peter Swinn and Maureen and Stuart Thorne who had passed the Basic Beekeeping Examination in 2009.

We are indebted to Philip Remnant for his professionalism sorting out the entries and providing scoring sheets and final report.

And finally a big thank you to Anne Wingate for all her efforts making our Honey Show such a success. 

Beginners Course 2010

St Albans Division will be holding another Beginners Course starting in February 2010. The course is oversubscribed but 30 applicants have been lucky.

Waitrose Community Project

St Albans BKA were recent beneficiaries in the St Albans Branch of Waitrose Community Project. The collection which took part in June 2009 resulted in a cheque for £292 being received by Anne Wingate and Christine Aitken at a presentation party in October. The money will be used towards producing nuc's for our Beginners. 

Anne and the representative of St Albans Branch of Waitrose

AGM on the 22nd January 2010

St Albans and District BKA members are invited to the AGM and Wine and Cheese Social on Friday 22nd January 2010 at 8.00pm at the United Reformed Church, Chiswell Green, St Albans.

The Minute Book will be available 15 minutes before the meeting if you wish to read the Minutes from the AGM 2009.

AGM AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence
2. Approval of last AGM Minutes
3. Committee's report
4. Approval of 2009 Accounts
5. Election of Officers
6. Any other business

We already have nominations for the committee, but if you wish to become involved in your Association - please feel free to offer.

After the short business of the evening we are delighted to have Garri Wiest, one of our members, to give us a talk on beekeeping in Portugal entitled:

O Mel produto tradicional da Beira Litoral, Portugal.

As well as keeping hives at Ashridge, Garri also manages some at his home in Portugal and learning about Portugese methods of beekeeping should prove fascinating.

Please don't stay away because this is the AGM. Make the effort to join us, hear what your committee have been doing on your behalf and let us know what you would like us to do for you in the future. This is your Association and your involvement can help to make us stronger.

We intend that the business will be completed quickly and then we can listen to what promises to be a very interesting talk from Garri followed by plenty of time to talk 'bees' over a glass of wine.

SE Herts news by John Mumford

The November Winter Meeting talks on ‘Honey and Pollen Yielding Plants’, given by Derek. and one on ‘Pollen’ given by Roy  turned out to be most interesting. Alas not many turned out to learn about these vital necessities of bees, and how these essential ingredients are gathered, stored and used.

I have quite a bit of Association honey in 30lb tubs going for a song, at £2.00/lb. to SE. Herts members. The tubs belong to me and are returnable!

Our next Committee meeting will be at 8.00pm on Thursday 14th January 2010 at 13 Heaton Court.

Please take note that the AGM will be at 8.00pm on Thursday 11th February at Pinewood School - I have sent out travelling instructions to all members on previous occasions; but if you need a further copy please give me a ring. We don’t want to hear any feeble excuses for your non-attendance do we!

I trust you and your bees will enjoy the Festive Season, and wish you all a Prosperous and Happy New Year.

BeeBase and Healthy Bees

BeeBase is a web based information tool for beekeepers in England and Wales run by The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) which is an executive agency of Defra. Beekeepers registered on Beebase can request a free apiary inspection visit from their local Bee Inspector and receive information and advice on disease recognition, control and colony husbandry and apiary management.

Many beekeepers have already registered so if you keep bees and have not yet signed up please do so. Registration is free of charge. The BeeBase website is at https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/index.cfm

Fera's Healthy Bees Project Management Board recently agreed the first phase of the husbandry and education programme. The programme includes making available and funding formally recognised ‘train the trainer’ courses to beekeepers who regularly provide training to other beekeepers. As a result the Board is offering two invitations for a train the trainer course to members of HBKA. The closing date for nominations to take up these courses is 7th January 2010 so if you are interested then please check the website or contact you division's secretary.

History of Taylors Bee Hives?

My name is Andrew Rogers (andrewjrogers@aol.com) and I have recently learnt that my great grandfather Henry Cuthbert Rogers worked for the Taylors Bee Hives in Hertfordshire as a tin smith. I was wondering if you could tell me anymore about the Taylors or the people who worked there my family still live in the area.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Varroa Problems? (part 2)

by John Mumford

I am still getting reports of colonies that have disastrously high Natural Mite Mortality drops and are still throwing out bees with tatty wings. These high mite drops are a sure sign that the colony will almost certainly die over winter.

It seems that Thymol has lost some of it’s effectiveness, or is it just the way it is being used? And I wonder how much longer it can be relied upon as a sole Varroa treatment. With 15 or so generations over a single year the natural selection, (survival of the fittest), of Varroa populations to change is very rapid.

With the very warm weather we have been having, (my bees still collecting pollen in late November), the bees are almost certainly still raising brood and therefore so are Varroa mites.

I put a single strip of Apistan in a colony of mine on 18th of October, the next day there were 500 or so mites on the tray. The number of mites then went down to 80 per day over the next 5 days and by the 31st. October there was only 15 mites per day. On 6th November the number of mites reduced to 0 per day. They are now dropping just 1 or 2 per week and if that is just natural mite mortality there can’t be many mites left in the colony. I counted 1800 mites dropped over a 19 day period.

I am informed, (thank you all), that Pura can still be obtained from Morrisons and Netto, and because Thymol is such a good remedy for Acarine infestations anyway I  will continue to use the Grease Patties for that reason alone.

Top Bar Hives

by Paul Cooper

As I mentioned last month, I am starting a project to investigate the pros and cons of a top bar hive. The literature claims all sorts of advantages not least of which is the greater tolerance to disease, especially varroa, due to the brood cells being the size the bees choose rather then being based upon the size of the foundation pattern.  I will need to consider how to extract honey (using a press rather than a centrifugal extractor) or just use it as comb honey. Oil seed rape is widespread where I live so comb honey will have to wait until later in the season otherwise it will set in the comb.

The picture is courtesy of www.cornwallhoney.com.

So there is lots to consider, not least of which is which design to use as I will be building it myself this winter. There are plans available online as well as lots of websites offering advice and guidance. Here are a few to look at:

• www.lulu.com/content/815182
• www.cornwallhoney.com/top-bar-bee-hive.html
• www.biobees.com
• www.beesource.com/resources/elements-of-beekeeping/alternative-hive-designs/traditional-top-bar-hives-david-tromp/
• www.ccdemo.info/GardenBees/KTBH.html
• www.top-bar-hive.com
• www2.gsu.edu/~biojdsx/main.htm
• www.beginningbeekeeping.com/TopBarHiveBeekeeping.html

I will provide you with an update each month in Herts Bees and hopefully next month some pictures of my new top bar hive.

For Sale and Wanted

Jars For Sale

Hi Sir/Madam,

I recently came across your Bee Keeping website and wondered if there are any jars that I can quote you on?

We are a glass wholesaler based in Lincolnshire, so we are handy if you need to collect or we can arrange a delivery through our haulier.

If you would like a no obligation quotation, let me know the quantity and a delivery postcode if applicable, and one of our sales team will email you within 24 hours.

Please visit our website for more information: www.jarsandbottles.co.uk

Kind Regards,
Mark
Pattesons Glass Ltd

T: 01472 751333
F: 01472 751029

Email: mark@jarsandbottles.co.uk

Website: www.jarsandbottles.co.uk

November 2009

Editorial

Winter is almost here, mouse guards are in place, all the varroa mites have been knocked down, winter stores are full and chicken wire is in place to stop the pesky woodpeckers. Let's hope so!

This is a full edition this month with lots of interesting articles and photographs.  Please keep them coming.

Next month's edition covers December and January so if you have any meetings or events arranged for January or early February then please make sure you send them to me by the end of November.  The calendar is always up to date so please check that for forthcoming events.

Paul Cooper

North Herts news by Christine Phillips

A good group of beekeepers new, old and prospective met last Tuesday (20th) to exchange news on summer successes and failures, swarms caught and swarms lost, honey harvested (in some cases lots of honey) and to hear Robin's report on Buzzworks. It was particularly good to be able to welcome the new members.
Hitchin Apple Day on Saturday was a much better day than the forecast suggested and although a little damp at times a steady flow of people visited the NHBKA stall to taste some honey direct from Graham's super, ask questions and buy honey. Potential new beekeepers and new sites for hives also materialised.
Now the clocks have gone back and the temperature is dropping it really feels as if winter is coming. Time therefore to put on mouse guards and woodpecker protection. Hungry woodpeckers are not easily deterred and as you can see from photo they are quite able to peck through thin metal.

This queen excluder must have provided a handy perch whilst pecking.
Christmas Party
Tickets for the Christmas party (December 12th) will be available at the next meeting or from Graham or me (£3) and please let us know if you will be bringing a sweet or a savoury dish.
Next meeting
November 17th, 7.30pm at Howgills is a talk by Letchworth Heritage Foundation's Ecologist Elizabeth Towler. The Heritage Foundation own a lot of land in N. Herts and their farming practices and land use obviously make a difference to our bees.
Future meetings
We are hoping to have the well known beekeeper and lecturer Roger Patterson at our February meeting – watch this space.

St Albans news by Christine Aitken

2010 Membership Forms have been sent to all members. Please return promptly and therefore claim your discount! David Brown, our treasurer, needs your details and money to make certain insurance cover and Bee Craft deliveries are not disrupted. 

Honey Show on 27th November at 8.00pm at the United Reformed Church Hall, Chiswell Green, St Albans

This is an informal evening where members bring a jar of unlabeled clear honey along and we all taste and judge and present a cup to the winner. All members and their families welcome to attend. Please bring a plate of food. Drinks will be provided.

We are also intending to present certificates to all those who passed the Basic Beekeeping Examination back in the Summer.  

Winter meeting

An informative illustrated talk was given on 23rd October to a large audience of St Albans members (and Barnet too) by Pam Farley of The Woodland Trust which has recently bought nearly 350 hectares (over 850 acres) of land near Sandridge, St Albans. Here they plan to create England's largest new native wood by planting 600,000 trees. After covering the origins and aims of the Trust she went on to explain the acquisition and management strategy for the new Heartwood Forest. With this project right on our doorstep there were many interesting questions asked.

The evening ended with a lively question and answer session covering problems some members had experienced throughout the last beekeeping season. 

A reminder of our AGM on the 22nd January 2010. More details in the next newsletter.

West Herts news by Margaret Tighe

Our last apiary meeting for 2009 was held on 3rd October at which we had a brief look at the remaining hives to remove queen excluders and ensure the bees had enough stores for the winter.  This was followed by a very pleasant chat and exchange of information and ideas.  At the same time we enjoyed a leisurely cup of tea plus a slice of delicious honey cake, kindly made by Mrs Clavey, wife of our hard-working Treasurer, Andy. 

I hope I will be forgiven if I am repeating things that I have said before, but throughout the summer the informal tuition at apiary meetings has been excellent.  This was provided by all our very experienced beekeepers and, particularly from our Apiary Manager, Bob Whittingham.

At the moment we have no dates for our hoped for, winter talks. 

Welwyn news by Leslie Tamara

The last two events arranged for the end of this year are the Applecroft  School Christmas Bazaar and the Christmas Party for the Welwyn Division.

The Applecroft Christmas Bazaar will take place on Saturday 14th November between 11.00 and 14.30.  The Applecroft School  is located on Applecroft Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8. 

This year the Annual Christmas Party will take place on Saturday 5th December in Welwyn Garden City. Further details will be circulated soon.  All members of the Welwyn Division are cordially invited.  This event will provide a good opportunity to meet new members of the Association and to discuss individual successes, problems encountered throughout the past year and plans for the coming new beekeeping year.

Bishops Stortford news by Paul Cooper

We had an interesting end-of-season wrap-up meeting on 3rd October at Pat & Tony O'Connor's house in Sawbridgeworth.  Not many turned up but those that did were very grateful for Pat and Tony's hospitality.  There were no bees to look at but we did some useful planning for next season including initial thoughts for a one-day introduction to beekeeping course to be held in February/March 2010 in the Bishops Stortford area.

The BSBKA AGM has been set for 17th February 2010 and will feature Robin Dartington talking about BuzzWorks. The meeting will be held at 10 Redricks Lane, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 0RL at 19:30.

SE Herts news (pt1) by Derek Driver

The thanks go to all those members who helped organise and provide such a lovely Harvest supper for our group on October the 10th. A lot of effort went into this event and everyone who attended appreciated all your efforts. So well done! A number of members couldn’t make it but next year I hope everyone will mark their calendars when they receive our new programme, and come to this most enjoyable festive event. One couple came all the way from Northampton so that shows you how good it is.

This brings me to our 2010 program. Your committee after racking our brains develops the year’s program by the first week in January, but we need fresh input from our members, especially our newer ones. Our outdoor meetings are provided by those generous members who welcome us to their apiaries , and for winter meetings your committee does its best on speakers and topics, BUT WE NEED FRESH IDEAS AND INPUT FROM OUR NEWER MEMBERS! So tell us what you would like, and if it’s possible we’ll do our best to include it. Remember, don't wait for the AGM , contact us before January.

SE Herts news (pt2) by John Mumford

Many thanks to all those who helped, or took part in the BEE WORLD Event at Capel Manor on Saturday 19th. September. Barnet & West Herts Divisions took no part, and I had no acknowledgement or response to my correspondence to them on the subject.
The day seemed to go off OK and Julie Ryan our Capel Manor contact is keen to find a beekeeper who would supply honey for sale in their shop. And with the increased publicity given to beekeeping recently, Julie is also keen to have a ‘Special Event Day’  next year devoted entirely to Bees, Beekeeping, and Bee Hive Products, where members of the Public can experience bees at close quarters.

 

 

1. Bee World: Bishops Stortford - Susie Brickwood and Dennis Osborne Extracting Honey
2. Bee World: North Herts - A magnificent Display of Flowers and Hive Products compiled by Brian Fairy
3. Bee World: SE Herts - Derek Driver and Andrew Watters inspecting the Observation Hive
4. Bee World: St. Albans - Christine Aitken and her helpers on the Pollination Stand
5. Bee World: Welwyn and District - Phil Jepson on the Sales Stand
6. The Wasp Trap attracts all sorts of nasty insects

The Harvest Supper went very, very well at the new Pinewood School venue. So well that it went on till after 11.00 pm. The Harvest Supper is a great opportunity to meet fellow beekeepers in a relaxing environment. A place to establish friends and contacts for mutual help next year perhaps.
Many thanks to Daphne, and of course to Jo, Sam, Adrian and Ross for all the goodies a wonderful effort. Oonagh provided a nutty crossword to keep everyone moving around, and Danny Nicholls judged Adrian Lloyd’s excellent jar of liquid honey the winner of the Skillman Shield for 2009. The raffle was well supported and made £43.00.
The next Winter Meeting will be at 8.00pm on Thursday 12th March at Pinewood School when Derek and Roy will give a talk on Pollen and Pollination. (Ed. do you mean November?)