Newsletter May 2022
The swarms
this May have been unprecedented, so numerous that my phone has run hot, I had
my first on May 1st from a local village where I was called
subsequently to collect 3 others! I put it down to the disappointing spring
weather which had kept colonies in hives just waiting for some warmth.
If you have
any spare bees, it is always better for beginners to receive a nuc rather than
a swarm, which can be overwhelming; simpler to have a small colony which will
grow as your experience grows.
There was
also the usual mix of calls about bees in chimneys, roof spaces, etc which I
have sadly declined. If we have intrepid members who enjoy climbing &
removing bees from walls, let me know.
We did very
well at the last meeting with sales of redundant equipment, there may be some
at this month’s meeting. Sales of Wendy Crush’s baker’s honey raised £280 for
our funds. Many thanks to Wendy, but she has recently suffered a heart attack, now
in William Harvey, but as stoic as ever, hoping to be back home very soon. We
wish her a quick recovery.
Jar sales have increased rapidly as people are harvesting
the rape honey which has been plentiful this spring. Don’t delay, it sets hard
quickly & is best sold as creamed honey for a smooth texture. Warm your
hard crop till half liquid, then mix together till you achieve a soft-set
consistency which will remain as it is, very popular with customers! Remember
DDBKA extractors to borrow, Eric will ask for a £10 deposit, refundable when
returned clean 07741 483051
HONEY
JARS
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 & lids remain at £29
for 72 8oz
round jars & lids are £34.50 for 128 8oz
hexagonal jars & lids are £34.50 for 108.
Spare lids available for all sizes.
We have had a
call from Dover Technical College in Maison Dieu Road who are keen to have a
couple of hives on their roof, to generally green up their location. They have
2 buildings, one is 3 storeys [stairs], the other 4 storeys [with a lift]. We
have several members already with rooftop hives, in Folkestone & also on
M&S in St James, Dover.
The head of
their Environmental committee is Joe – 07599 049405 Ring for details.
I have heard
from a lady recently moved to Deal, suffering with hay fever, looking to buy Deal
honey. Could this be you? She is: Beth Darville bethdarvillemedia@gmail.com
From BBKA in support of reducing verge cutting: I have signed this petition and would ask you to
also consider signing it. There are a number of advantages. Wildflower
verges are nicer to look at, in the long term it will save councils money
and reduce congestion caused by grass cutting but most importantly it
provides habitat for wildlife including pollinators. Some enlightened
councils are investing in wildflower meadows as is the Wildlife Trust.
Signing this petition is an opportunity to show support for this and put
pressure on others to do the same. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/616394
I have mentioned previously a pilgrimage going from
Dover to Canterbury carrying a large beeswax candle. The organiser wants to
include those of us along the route in the final publication. She says:
I am working on a mini fold out
book on the candle story and pilgrimage. It will be called The Bees Tale.
The story of Dover’s Trendyll
candle and reflections from a modern pilgrimage.
I would love to have one or two
pages with details of the Dover Bee Association and photographs of members,
bees and hives. We are walking the pilgrimage at the moment.
I am particularly interested in
members in Dover, Kearsney, Temple Ewell, Coldred, Shepherdswell, Eythorne and
would like to contact and arrange meetings.
Best wishes, Alexandra le
Rossignol
I will contact relevant members separately with her
details.
Farm Sunday June 12th
To be held at Chandler and Dunn, Lower Goldstone Farm, Ash. CT3
2DY Starts at 10 am. Meet at the
Chandler & Dunn butchery. Honey and other bee products can be sold. A lovely family day out
This month’s
meeting
Saturday 28th May at the DDBKA Eythorne apiary
at 2:30 pm, 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!
Bear in mind that the site includes an apiary & we
urge you to take care in the vicinity of bees, bring your beesuit & wellies
if you have them, make sure you have informed me of allergies & sting
reactions if you are aware of them.
Jackie will
be explaining 'Things to do with Queens' This may cover such things as: tips to help
find the queen, her life cycle and swarming, marking and clipping, queen
introduction and anything else that might be of interest. Q & A session also & some
thoughts re updating our risk assessment policy.
2 or 3 hives
will be opened, particularly for beginners to have a taste of inspection
routines.
- Tea [£1] and raffle as usual. Bring your own mugs!!!!
·
I hope you will be able to come
along, I look forward to seeing you
Best wishes,
Maggie