Thursday 23 November 2017

Newsletter Nov 2017

Dear Beekeeper

Thanks to all who entered & attended the Honey Show at Shepherdswell last month.
Chris has sent a note appreciation & a list of the 2017 results to members with the emailed Newsletter. A great turnout for the new venue, considering the weather, but we need more set honey entries next year, please - more everything really!

Winter approaches. Your bees, which worked so hard for you in the summer, should now be well-fed & tucked up in their hives with a mouseguard or low entrance at the front & protection from woodpeckers around the exposed woodwork [or polystyrene - vulnerable too!]

Check every so often that your hives are safe from strong winds, animals, vandalism, etc and that entrances are clear. Otherwise, they should be left alone till you decide on a varroa treatment in early January. That will give an opportunity to briefly check that the bee cluster has accessible food. 


Thank you:
DDBKA owes a vote of thanks to Allyn Thomas who has re-roofed the apiary shed & fitted it with gutters & a water butt. It should now be serviceable for another few years. Well done!

Annual General Meeting
The year draws to a close & it’s time for the AGM.
Members will have received with the Newsletter the minutes of the 2016 AGM and an agenda, plus the accounts from the Hon Treasurer.

ELECTIONS
All the association offices will be up for election at the AGM.
It is important to broaden the pool of members willing to take on responsibilities, so please, if you're a member of DDBKA, do not be shy about standing - your contribution is needed.
But please note: Only Registered members can be nominated & hold offices.

If nominating some-one, please check in advance whether your nominee is willing to stand.
Each nominee needs a proposer and seconder.
You can nominate yourself if you wish to take a role, but still need a proposer and seconder. Associate members may nominate and vote, but cannot stand.
Please phone or email nominations to the Hon Secretary before the AGM as she will need to prepare ballot papers in the case of any contested elections.
Most post holders are willing to stand this time, but that doesn’t prevent posts being contested.
As you see, we need a Vice Chair; Jean stepped in & served well for 2 years, many thanks to her.

Think of a member who gives regular help to DDBKA, maybe with catering, demonstrating, mentoring, giving advice, helping at the apiary etc. Ask if they’d like to join the committee, get them nominated!

Office
Current holder
Remarks
Chair
Dick Bunting
willing to stand again
Vice Chair
Jean Mozley
retiring
Secretary & Membership Secretary
Maggie Harrowell
willing to stand again
Treasurer
Philip Nicholson
willing to stand again
Show Secretary
Chris Holdstock
willing to stand again
Examinations  Secretary
Jackie Thomas
willing to stand again
Training Secretary
Mary Hill
willing to stand again
Delegate
Peter Crow
willing to stand again

Consider also if you might like to become a mentor to a beginner,  loan a hive as a beginner [only 2 left!], host a summer meeting, go on the 2018 swarm collectors list.

This month’s meeting – the last of the year

Saturday 25th November at 2:30 p.m. at Alkham Village Hall CT15 7BU

·         Any outstanding library books to be returned please.

·          Tea [£1] and raffle as usual.

·          Following requests from members, we will have a small sale table at indoor meetings. Bring along any redundant/surplus equipment you’d like to sell or pass on to others.

·         Please try to bring a small contribution to the refreshments to give an early festive feel.

 
Hope to see you there,
Best wishes,
Maggie

Thursday 9 November 2017

Newsletter October 2017

Dear Beekeeper
Your bee colonies should now be well fed & have decent stores to see them through the winter. The sunny weather has seen them flying & active, but nights can be chilly & they will be clustering. 

I will be reversing my brood + a half boxes soon to put the full super box underneath. This leaves the brood mainly at the top, well-placed for the January varroa treatment of Api-Bioxal [an approved varroacide].

Mouseguards can be put on entrances & woodpecker protection added around the hives. You can purchase wraps to protect the hives or try chicken wire around them.

News of Beginners’classes in the spring 2018
Rob Philpott will run the DDBKA beginners’ course in a new heated workshop that is now near completion at his home address right next to their apiary in Temple Ewell.
A copy of the application form and timetable is available HERE; the course covers 6 weekly evening sessions in February & March 2018, covering all aspects of bee society & management through the season.

Best wishes.
Maggie.