Dear beekeeper,
The terrible tempests seem to be over, caused ructions in apiaries; your hives were probably all tied down with weights on top, but the quantity of fallen branches & trees was damaging & disturbing. Jackie was without electricity for a week. I have definitely lost 2 colonies, but some have lost all, hard to bear if you had just the one colony. But it has not been bitterly cold and pollen is now going in, a sure sign of larvae.
I was offered some German fondant with pollen to try & my bees certainly lapped it up.
We have 9 new members this year, haven’t met them all yet as folk are still understandably cautious about public spaces. 13 members have definitely lapsed, but still there are several people who are hard to reach.
Thanks to all those who replied to Debbie’s plea for library books to be returned.
One of our new members is looking to buy a couple of over-wintered nucs to get them started this spring. Please let me know if you are able to help them out.
We also had winds but as we use a horizontal hive with stabilisers in thd roof it didn’t need weights on top. My British BlCk bee bought from Wales is doing well z but slow but thruving. Thd Buckfast last years queenhuge colony very pleased seem to spend time knocking down ups but so far not swarmed (but who knows) I’m looking to join a club and will look at your membership and if insurance is included. Enjoy warm weather beeee happy regards Beverli Rhodes
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