Friday 1 December 2023

Newsletter, December 2023

 Newsletter December 2023

Dear Beekeeper, 

Last newsletter of the year, no meeting now till the end of January, when Christmas & New Year will be just a memory. Many thanks for all who attended the AGM last month, almost 50 of you. We managed to elect a new Treasurer, Julie Scott, but her details are not on this letter as she will need time to get to grips with payments, memberships & links to BBKA, but I hope she knows how welcome you will make her next year!

Thanks also to those who have renewed your membership for 2024, if you definitely wish to lapse your membership, please let myself or Philip know asap.

The calls & emails have already started from people wishing to become beekeepers next year, so remember how it was for you & perhaps be prepared to offer support to a beginner or spare bees if you ever have them. I have heard from Greg who confirms that the farm where his bees are kept is happy to support a summer meeting there. Things move on quickly, bees won’t wait, hopefully your care & good winter preparations will result in colony survival for 2024. If not, then remember we try to support people looking for bees but it should not be an annual expectation. …………………………………………………………………………………………………..                If you were absent last month, you may be wondering what was decided at the AGM about our next move regarding the AH fight for 2024. Jackie proposed an action plan, see below:

PLAN TO DEFEAT AH THREAT to DDBKA AREA Devised by JT, approved by members present

52 AH nests cleared in Kent thus far. The majority in our area.

Over 10 not at or near an apiary

The plan is to section the whole of our area, dividing a map into 1km squares.

With members participation, do a sweep through the area at certain times.

Detail

Participating members will be allocated a grid square, in their neighbourhood or adjoining it.

Each will be given 5 traps [slightly different model, new design to protect European hornets] to spread around in their km square.

Traps will be approximately 500 – 700m apart

Attractant will be supplied.

These traps will not need to be moved about, the spacing should ensure random AH will find them by scent

This will start in February, 10C temperature is needed for the Queens to start to move.

There will be a finite number of Queens to be caught, NBU will support us.

SUGAR NEWS,  many kg!

You may remember a couple of years ago we were lucky enough to have some surplus white granulated sugar donated from a food factory in Ashford, free if some of us could provide a jar of honey to give their staff, particularly if we take a large amount. 

They are repeating this generous offer, Tim is prepared to collect again.  If you want any sugar for feeding syrup/fondant or whatever, your task will be to bring suitable empty containers, ideally with snap-on lids, named clearly, to my house. Tim will collect & fill them & then deliver them back to me for you to collect. Any remaining sugar can be collected at a later point, perhaps from Alkham village hall at the January meeting.                                                             

Let me know your interest please!      

Many thanks to AshfordBKA & Joanne Knaggs for including us, & for Tim, man + van!

                                                        HONEY JARS For MEMBERS

Now at Unit 13, AB Crush panel beaters, opposite the Shepherdswell turning on the A2 to Five Oaks, Geddinge.CT4 6RY.

The procedure remains the same: order to me, payment to Philip, collection on a Friday from 11 to 12, it is a really busy site with vehicles, deliveries etc. 

PRICES

  • 1lb jars, including lids, in boxes of 72 £30    
  • 8oz round jars & lids are £45 for 128 
  • We now have lids again, £2 for a dozen.                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

The BBKA is seeking to recruit an Outreach Officer with an initial focus on Asian Hornet.  The purpose of the role is to identify, make and maintain contact with organisations or other target audiences that can help the BBKA tackle key issues which impact honeybees and/or are of concern to beekeepers.                       

The initial focus of the role will be Asian Hornet but could at times switch to other key issues for the BBKA such as honey authenticity or neonicotinoids.

The officer will have at least 3 years’ experience working in an Outreach, Communications or Marketing role including direct customer contact and be a strong communicator (written and verbal) who is comfortable making initial contact with new organisations.                    

This is a rolling 12-month contract on a self-employed basis, working from home or the BBKA office at Stoneleigh.  Communication with BBKA staff and Trustees during normal office working hours is essential.

Part-time hours:  25 hours per week for the first three months reducing to an average of 15 hours spread over the year.  It is noted that this time may peak during the spring and autumn months.                          

Rate of pay: £15/hour.               

For a full job description and an application form please email: gen.manager@bbka.org.uk.                                                                                                                          Kind regards,  Diane Drinkwater    Chair, BBKA

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Next month’s newsletter will have details of spring courses & plans for beginners, it is important that you make a note of January 27th 2024 as our first meeting, at Alkham, where Tom Bickerdike will be updating us & hopefully noting the efforts our small organisation has made in putting pressure on the Asian Hornets in this area.

Enjoy the break, have a happy & peaceful Christmas, do some reading, sort out your shed, but relax, you have done all you can……haven’t you?

Best wishes,    Maggie                                                                                                                                            

Sunday 1 October 2023

Newsletter, October 2023

 

Newsletter October 2023

Dear beekeeper,

The last outdoor meeting passed well, over 30 members, many with tales of hornet encounters they had experienced & descriptions of the efficient speedy work done by the NBU inspectors when called to a sighting.            Asian Hornets have been recently found on Richard Baker’s land in Stelling Minnis. Richard reports the hornets seem keen on grapes, so that’s another place to check on if there’s a vineyard near you. The NBU team hope to track & discover their nest in the next couple of days.

Thinking of vineyards, Turlingham Vineyard near Hawkinge are offering space for a beekeeper plus hives on their land. There is water nearby, with a meadow and woodland, contact me for details.

It was great to see so many Dover visitors to the bee stand at the East Kent Ploughing Match at the end of September, even though it was not very easy to get there! Roadworks & huge queues.

Lisa, our Bee Inspector was there, spreading the word re hornets to visitors & stallholders along with members from Canterbury, Thanet & Whitstable. The gazebo/tent that Thanet provided was really impressive. I doubt there was anyone who attended who wasn’t better informed about AH by the time they went home.

I hope you all read Jackie’s feature in BBKA News & also Beecraft. We are truly in the vanguard of this pest invasion! Jackie & her husband Allyn have given up many hours in spreading information to outlying areas, with traps & attractant potions.

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DDBKA Honey Show, October 21st 2:30pm

Sue, our Show Secretary, has asked me to remind you that the time for your entries is drawing closer & we really need to fill the hall with a fine display of honey & hive products to show the great variety of bee-related items that can be made & used.

Email your entry forms to Sue, suecourt@hotmail.co.uk  or call 07979 253242. She will post your id labels to you for you to attach before bringing items along on the morning of the21st.

Competition is very friendly, it is good fun to see what your friends have been up to, lots of laughs, tales of woe & comparisons, but please read the rules………& have a go

 Judges often give tips on improving your honey, even if you know it’s already perfect!                                                          

BBKA have paid £15,000 as part of a campaign to put posters on the back of buses to warn people about Asian Hornets. They want to know if anyone has noticed – I was really pleased that 4 people at our meeting had seen them locally. I have informed BBKA, but if you see one, let me know please.

 

                                                         HONEY JARS For MEMBERS

Now at Unit 13, AB Crush panel beaters, opposite the Shepherdswell turning on the A2 to Five Oaks, Geddinge.         CT4 6RY.        The procedure remains the same: order to me, payment to Philip, collection on a Friday from 11 to 12, it is a really busy site with vehicles, deliveries etc. 

PRICES: 1lb jars, including lids, in boxes of 72 £30    

8oz round jars & lids are £45 for 128 

We now have lids again, £2 for a dozen. 

Also, Ambrosia bee feed syrup which many of you have used in the past. Buy using the same routine as the jars. Each 12.5 kg plastic container costs £21.

This month’s meeting, Saturday October 21st

2:30 pm at Shepherdswell Village Hall CT15 7NN      DDBKA Honey Show

All entries to be in the Hall by 9:15a.m.

  • ·        Please bring a cake to sell in the afternoon as we shall be providing tea & cake for club funds.    Please list the ingredients.
  • ·        Servers needed please. To pour teas, plate cakes, receive money
  • ·        Bring along some of your honey/candles to sell, for your funds!
  • ·        Bring a raffle prize if possible.
  • ·        Bring family & friends, Jackie will have a bee information display to learn from, including the latest regarding the spread & incidences of Asian Hornets, all clear to see on the local map she has made.
  • ·        Candle rolling
  • ·        Honey tasting
  • ·        Free flower seeds to encourage pollinators
  • ·        Beeswax products  

 

I am very much looking forward to seeing you & your entries,

 

Thank you,           

        Maggie

Friday 1 September 2023

Newsletter, September 2023

 Newsletter September 2023

Dear beekeeper,

We had an amazing meeting last month at Kingsdown, so busy & focused that we didn’t have time to look at Terry’s bees! It was a real get together of information, plans, maps, evidence, sharing knowledge & ideas about our current foe the Asian Hornet. The map of trap locations has been constantly updated as more are placed in blank areas, thanks are due to Jackie’s husband, pedalling all over to encourage unincluded areas to keep alert. So, look when walking past heavy crops of ivy, very attractive to our bees & hornets too!        You may have been phoned to keep you up with progress, still more sightings are being registered, Dover castle, River, Great Mongeham, near Duke of York’s school, allotments in Deal & Folkestone. 

See this article in the Times re a recent nest in Hythe:     https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/out-hunting-the-asian-hornets-decimating-our-honey-bees-s59ghdsfp  

Lisa our SBI says: ‘This month is crucial as it’s when the Asian hornet queens will be developed, every trap we catch now is even more important than before and whilst we have a 100% success rate in finding nests from confirmed sightings, it’s the sightings that are the vital part as without them, we don’t know the hornets are out there.
I can’t thank you all enough for everything you are doing
.’ 

  FOR SALE                                                                                                                                                                   Ray Checksfield from Eastry has decided to stop beekeeping after many successful years, so has much to dispose of & is hoping you may be interested!  

He has 8 Langstroth hives on brood and half, including bees, for £150 - £200 each. Plus, each one comes with 50mm insulation which slides over the hive.                                                                         

Also, a 9- frame electric extractor, 5 x 5 frame nuc boxes, 2 settling tanks. Buckets feeders, tools etc.  Ray welcomes enquiries & viewing, hopes to sell all by the new year.                                                 

Call 01304 612389 or 07807 660233                                   

 

                                                         HONEY JARS For MEMBERS

Now at Unit 13, AB Crush panel beaters, opposite the Shepherdswell turning on the A2 to Five Oaks, Geddinge.         CT4 6RY.        The procedure remains the same: order to me, payment to Philip, collection on a Friday from 11 to 12, it is a really busy site with vehicles, deliveries etc. 

PRICES: 1lb jars, including lids, in boxes of 72 £30    

8oz round jars & lids are £45 for 128

We now have lids again, £2 for a dozen.                                                                                                                                                                                        

Philip has ordered a pallet of Ambrosia bee feed syrup which many of you have used in the past. It has arrived at AB Crush, buy using the same routine as the jars. Each 12.5 kg plastic container will cost £21.

September brings the East Kent Ploughing Match, this year to be held at Hardres Court Farm, Upper Hardres, Canterbury CT4 6EN on Wednesday 27th September                         

We are following the   established custom of a stall shared with other local BKAs: Thanet, Canterbury, Whitstable & Herne Bay. 

So come along with your honey to sell, correctly labelled as for sale, or come to meet the public & help on the stall, people are always fascinated by bees!      

N.B. Access to the site will have to be via Stone Street as there is a leak to be fixed, but signage should be in place.

Thinking of honey, please put aside a few of your best jars to enter into our Honey Show on October 21st at Shepherdswell.   

Remember to carefully read the instructions for entry in the schedule I am sending, it has been put together by Sue Court, despite her illness from covid which she has found hard to shake off.

BBKA want to share some of the features of their recent Asian Hornet week, particularly the Q&A sessions. For those members who were unable to view the talks or for those who want to watch them again here are the links:  

Asian Hornet Week 2023 - Andrew Durham's Special Briefings for Beekeepers https://www.bbka.org.uk/asian-hornet-week-2023-special-briefings-for-beekeepers

Part one:  https://youtube.com/live/mx3LhC2fnoc 

Part two: https://youtube.com/live/9SNvrq7oNBY

In part two, Andrew mentions the following link: https://www.bbka.org.uk/branch-and-association-resources

This month’s meeting: Saturday 30th September 2:30 pm

At the DDBKA Eythorne apiary at Eythorne Court   CT15 4AD. 

It is along Shepherdswell Road, near Eythorne travelling towards Shepherdswell, on the left, near a black wooden building. We park in the next field; you will see cars and a gate to enter. If you are a new member or visitor, please make yourself known, we get busy!

Please remember your beesuit.

We shall have a register for you to sign please. Signing will confirm that you have read the Health & Safety policy.      

Please pay regard to safety considerations.

There will be hives to inspect, looking at the amount of stores accumulated by colonies, a brood frame full of honey will weigh approx. 5 pounds, a similar super frame will weigh 3 pounds, so the bees’ stores for winter can be estimated.               

A lot of nectar has been brought in from ivy blossom in this warm weather. You should be hoping for 35 pounds plus per colony, & also checking the varroa drop on your inserts after starting the varroa treatment during this month.                  

So, carry on feeding if needed, stronger syrup, 2-1 strength, will be best now as the weather becomes autumnal.

·         Tea [£2] & raffle as usual      Bring your own mugs!!!

·         Terry & I will be at Pencester Gardens, Dover Urban Fair, on September 23rd with a bee stall, 10 till 4 – hoping it doesn’t pour like last year…come along & say hello.

Looking forward to our last outdoor club meeting of this year, see you there!

Maggie

Friday 21 July 2023

Newsletter, July 2023

 Dear beekeeper,

Things are moving fast here on the Asian Hornet front; Shepherdswell seems to be a focal point for sightings at the moment, so all of you in the Shepherdswell/Eythorne area need to be very vigilant, checking your traps to let beneficial insects go, & making sure they are baited with an attractant to tempt Asian hornets, fish or meat based.                                      

As previously stated, they will keep returning to a snack which they like. Also look out for the round grey nests they make up in trees.                                                  

Oddly enough, I have been contacted by a lady called Claire Fry who is opening a farm shop in Shepherdswell next week, wanting a source of local honey to supply her potential customers.

Contact her at claire.fry1961@gmail.com  to find out the location & the terms & conditions

ANOTHER WBC HIVE FOR SALE

Bought to look attractive & to accommodate bees, but not loved by neighbours – shame               

WBC Hive. Comprising; Stand with integrated mesh floor, and Roof (both new this season). Brood box, Queen Excluder, Crown Board, 3 x Supers, 4 x Lifts.

Painted white. All ready to go. £125.                Alastair 07702 253490

Beekeeping in high/extreme temperatures. Common sense advice, but easy to make daft decisions to carry on regardless.

  • Avoid working on your bees between 11am and 3pm
  • Keep hydrated – use a screw top bottle to drink regularly through your veil (move away a safe distance from your bees)
  • Take regular breaks every 5 – 10 minutes in the shade
  • Wear a ventilated suit
  • Seek help immediately if you are feeling dizzy or sick
  • Tell people which apiary you are working in
  • DO NOT work in temperatures approaching 40 degrees (unless you fancy being a boil in the bag roast dinner!)         KEEP COOL – KEEP HYDRATED – KEEP SAFE.

Thanks to Tony for hosting last month at The Captain’s Garden in Deal, it was extremely hot, not many put on their beesuits to see Tony’s colonies, but those that did were rewarded by seeing 3 sound colonies, & saw the traditional way to encourage a queenless hive by adding a frame with eggs from elsewhere. Hope it worked for him.

                                                         HONEY JARS For MEMBERS

Now at Unit 13, AB Crush panel beaters, opposite the Shepherdswell turning on the A2 to Five Oaks, Geddinge CT4 6RY.  The procedure remains the same: order to me, payment to Philip, collection on a Friday from 11 to 12, it is a really busy site with vehicles, deliveries etc. 

PRICES

  • 1lb jars, including lids, in boxes of 72 £30     
  • 8oz round jars & lids are £45 for 128
  • We now have lids again, £2 for a dozen.                                                                                         

Chris Farrell has repeated her success at the Kent Show with this first prize-winning photo of a surprised looking worker emerging from her cell.

Well done Chris!

Would make a good cover for BBKA News.

This month’s meeting: Saturday 29th July 2:30 pm

At the DDBKA Eythorne apiary at Eythorne Court, CT15 4AD. 

It is along Shepherdswell Road, near Eythorne travelling towards Shepherdswell, on the left, near a black wooden building. We park in the next field; you will see cars and a gate to enter. If you are a new member or visitor, please make yourself known, we get busy!

Please remember your beesuit.

We shall have a register for you to sign. Signing will confirm that you have read the Health & Safety policy previously sent out. Please pay regard to safety considerations.

Karl will be bringing some FREE wax cappings from his honey extractions which he does not want, these make the best candles & blocks etc, lighter in colour, easier to clean & mould.                                

  • If you haven’t picked up your emergency contact card it will be a chance to do so.
  • Tea [£2] & raffle as usual      Bring your own mugs!!!
  • Take the opportunity to change your library books
  • A beginner group can open & check through a couple of hives.
  • We will be thinking & updating re the Asian Hornet & Jackie will demonstrate how to make AH traps using equipment easily available at home if you have not yet bought one.

Best wishes, hoping to see you,

Maggie

Thursday 1 June 2023

Newsletter, June 2023

 Newsletter June 2023

Dear beekeeper,

Thanks to all who came last month, almost 50 of you! I had barely arrived home afterwards when there was a swarm call; John Feasey was able to collect & rehome. The number of calls has decreased now, still the usual bumblebee ones though.

I hope your hives are looking good, building up their population nicely after the shaky start to the year, maybe you have a super or two with capped honey ready to be extracted. 

If your colonies are in an area which grew oil seed rape, then get your honey crop extracted as soon as possible, as it will solidify quickly in the comb. Honey from the bumper hawthorn blossom we have seen this year, will give you more time to take action.

Now the biting NE winds have ceased & we have some heat & sunshine at last, don’t forget your bees need water nearby.

DDBKA has honey extractors you can loan for a £10 refundable deposit if they are returned clean as borrowed.      Contact Eric: 07741 483051

 

I had a novel experience last week, there were several queen cells in one of my colonies, I was about to reduce their number when I saw one was brownish at the tip, looking ripe & ready.        So, I picked off the end carefully with a point on my hive tool & the queen fell wriggling into my hand!   I caught her in a queen clip & back at home transferred her into a hair roller cage with newspaper covering the bottom end. She was put, in her cage, in a queenless colony. 3 days later all the newspaper had gone, so I am hopeful she has been accepted & will fly off to be mated shortly.

There have been several enquiries re membership this month, so I hope they will come along to the June meeting on the 24th

The funeral of Maggie Marlow, wife of our former Chair, Brian, will be at Barham Crematorium on June 19th at 4pm followed by refreshments at the Holiday Inn, Whitfield. She was always a sterling support to Brian & also to DDBKA, often helping with our refreshments.                                             

Unfortunately, I shall be away, but all are welcome to pay tribute to a sunny, cheerful lady.

                                                         HONEY JARS For MEMBERS                                                                                                                           Now at Unit 12, AB Crush panel beaters, opposite the Shepherdswell turning on the A2 to Five Oaks, Geddinge         CT4 6RY.        The procedure remains the same, order to me, payment to Philip, collection on a Friday from 11 to 12, it is a really busy site with vehicles, deliveries etc.                                    PRICES: 1lb jars, including lids, in boxes of 72 £23.50                 

12oz jars SOLD OUT- discontinued                                                                                               

8oz round jars & lids are £34.50 for 128                                                                                                                                                                                             

5 boxes of 1lb jars left now, 2 boxes of half pound jars left.                                                            I lb jars & half pound jars are still available at the above prices; once that old stock is sold, the new stock prices will be £30 for 1lb jars & £45 for half pounds.

WBC HIVE FOR SALE                                                                                                                                         

One base on legs, sorry, solid floor                                                                                                            One porch lift complete with sliders. 3 plain lifts, One roof, One deep internal box, 3 shallow internal boxes, Queen excluder, Crown board.                                                                                                        Although the hive could benefit from a coat of paint, it could be put into action straight away 

 £75 Collect from Colin Evans at Hythe   01303 266819                                                                                                                                                                  

UPCOMING EVENTS featuring DDBKA – Show season starts soon,

  • Kent Show                    July 7,8,9 
  • River Fete 11-3             July 16
  • Nonington Fayre 1-5     July 16   
  • Eastry Fete 2-5            July 22   
  • Beefest Captain’s Gardens, Deal     August 28
  • Dover Urban Fete, Pencester Gardens, 10-4 September 23                                                                                                                                                                                

This month’s meeting:  Saturday 24th June     2:30 pm

At the Captain’s Gardens in Deal, opposite Deal Castle. CT14 7BA                        Limited car parking space there. We have been invited by Tony who has 6 hives there. 

It was formerly a market garden, revived by members of the Deal community, now has vegetables, flowers, hops & 200 fruit trees. Chairs & tables will be provided, but no toilets. Car sharing strongly recommended. Space for only 8 cars, so find a quiet spot elsewhere in Deal & walk a bit or use the Deal Castle car park, English Heritage members free, but all must buy a ticket.

 If you are a new member or visitor, please make yourself known, we get busy!                 Please remember your beesuit. We shall have a register for you to sign. Please pay regard to safety considerations.

  • ·    If you haven’t picked up your emergency contact card it will be a chance to do so.
  • ·        Tony has 6 hives to inspect, clean suits, boots & gloves required
  • ·        Tea [£2] & raffle as usual      Bring your own mugs!!!

See you there,
Maggie