Newsletter, May 2022

 Newsletter May 2022

The swarms this May have been unprecedented, so numerous that my phone has run hot, I had my first on May 1^st 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 28^th 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