Wednesday 20 November 2013

Newsletter November 2013




Dear Beekeeper

The October Honey Show seems a long way off now, but it was very successful, good to see some of our new beekeepers winning awards and to have the hospitality of the Bruderhof community who worked hard to get the Swedish Hall looking so welcoming and provided the afternoon refreshments.
Congratulations to John Feasey, best in show for honey and to Roger Thompson of Thanet BKA for the greatest accumulation of points.
Mavis, Pam & Maggie Marlow provided an excellent lunch for the judges and stewards.
Here are some pictures Steve Boyce took!!!

KENT COUNTY BEEKEEPING QUIZ Hosted by Thanet BKA, this was in October, 4 tables competed, some tricky questions.
Happily the DDBKA table won [with help from Adrian Davis from Canterbury BKA].
We received a cup which hadn’t been contested for 20 years! It has been engraved with “Dover” for the first time since it started in 1964.
Thanks to those who took part.

Your mouse guards should be on the hives now and some anti-woodpecker protection.

Chicken wire spaced away from the hive works, as do as plastic sacks pinned around to avoid woodpeckers getting a toe hold. Pin or tape it on, leaving the roof accessible to lift for winter treatments of oxalic acid if needed. Leave space for the entrance to be used by the bees.

Check them for damage or weather problems every couple of weeks, and look forward to spring!

FONDANT for feeding, if you think stores in your hives are low later on this year

Bees will not take syrup down as the temperature drops; it is hard work for them to turn it into stores.

Our local suppliers [above] sell fondant, also Baker’s fondant is sold by Vanes, 120 High St Dover

01304 206325, or Elizabeths Bakeries, 59 Cheriton High Street Folkestone 01303 275576.

Ring first; it is usually sold in 12.5 kg boxes. Heavy, but it keeps well if wrapped.

Try and make your own candy.
Candy Recipe [there are lots of variations] increase quantities as desired.
200ml water, 1000g[1kg] white sugar ,1 teasp glycerine. Boil all together, stirring, for3 minutes, cool slightly over cold water, then beat or stir rapidly. Turns opaque, pour quickly into plastic containers
e.g. “take away” ones. It sets fast! Invert over the feed hole in the crownboard.


At the apiary

Karl has been busy planting bluebells & Dick has planted viper’s bugloss. There are also some additional crocus bulbs and cowslips.Some recent research states that bees are especially attracted to lavenders, borage and marjoram [the best all-rounder for all bees].

Maggie