Dear Beekeeper
At the time of writing, wet, mild weather is still
dominant. My bees are flying happily on many days. Their food intake increases
when the weather is warm enough for cleansing flights, so check stores. Fondant
can be fed if a hive feels light, but once started, has to continue.
Wrap the fondant in clingfilm, making holes in the
plastic and placing it on the brood frames. [This now seems to be the advice
rather than over the feed hole in the crownboard.]
Our next meeting is the AGM, important for our future.
I have attached the Subscription Form to register with
BBKA for the year. Our membership runs from end of January to the following
January. The cost has risen by £1, still very good value.
* For £23, you will get a monthly newsletter, meetings
and support, access to basic equipment, BBKA News delivered to your door every
month, Bee Disease Insurance for 3 hives, a library, excellent refreshments and
a good raffle to boost our funds. Our hive loan scheme and hive adoption is
also available to beginners.
* If you pay by bank transfer, let Len know you have
done this. He will still need the form, by email to him or printed.
Please pay at the AGM, or the February meeting at the latest.
A couple
need only pay one sub; Associate membership is useful for beginners or those
with no bees yet.
Any new
beekeepers becoming registered with BBKA are entitled to FREE membership of the
National Honey Show for a year, gaining reduced fees for entry to the show and
lectures, free entry to competitive classes. The show is at the end of October
in Weybridge.
In addition,
consider if your apiary could host a summer meeting.
Do you want
to be on the swarm collecting list?
All the
association offices will be up for election again at the AGM. It is important that we broaden the pool of
members willing to take on responsibilities, so please do not be shy about
standing, your contribution is needed.
NB Only Registered members can hold offices, but a
beekeeper joining on 28th January would certainly be eligible. Please check in advance whether your
nominee is willing to stand.
You are at liberty to nominate yourself if you wish to
take a role.
Associate members may nominate and vote.
Please phone, post or email nominations to
me before the AGM. I shall need to prepare ballot papers in the case of
any contested elections.
Office
|
Current holder
|
Remarks
|
Chair
|
Brian Marlow
|
|
Vice Chair
|
Richard Baker
|
|
Secretary
|
Maggie Harrowell
|
|
Membership Secretary
|
Maggie Harrowell
|
|
Treasurer
|
Len Mole
|
|
Show Secretary
|
Chris Holdstock
|
|
Examinations
Secretary
|
Jan Cross
|
|
Training Secretary
|
Mary Hill
|
A new post
|
We hope to co-opt Mary Hill onto the committee as
Training Secretary, to recognise and formalise all the work she has done in
teaching for the Basic examination and running local courses. She hopes to run
beginners’ theory sessions before the out apiary meetings at Eythorne.
EDUCATION
Mary Hill
and I attended a meeting last week at the Kent Science Park near Sittingbourne
ME9 8GU. Kent beekeepers are hoping to use this
venue for teaching sessions for beekeepers with some experience to improve
skills and knowledge. It is a large modern centre, well-equipped classrooms and
labs. Watch this space!
Beginners
* Julian
Audsley is starting his regular spring course for beginners at Barham Village
Hall
CT4 6NX on
February 21st for 6 weekly sessions, plus a practical session with
bees!
Library Roy Pearson
has done a fine job with ours for several seasons, but home commitments mean he
needs to give up this role now. Is there anyone who could undertake the storage
of the books and be able to bring them to each meeting? It is no good having
many old and newer volumes if people cannot see them and freely borrow them.
Maggie
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