Newsletter : November 2005
1. Editor's Notes
What's in a name? I have never felt comfortable with the notion of writing an 'Editorial'. It implies a degree of authority about the subject of beekeeping that I do not possess and, given the combined wisdom of the many really expert beekeepers in our Association, it is presumptuous of me to be offering 'advice'. So, these opening paragraphs will in future be titled Editor's Notes (they could have be called 'Jottings/Musings/Ramblings' or occasionally 'Rantings') and should be read in that light. Meanwhile the membership will rely on those of you who are experts to help the rest of us to become better beekeepers with your contributions - please.
Early in October I attended the BBKA Forum meeting at Stoneleigh. This is an informal discussion day when member Associations can raise issues that might be relevant to BBKA's future policy development. The morning began with a presentation by Roger Patterson that focused on an apparently increasingly poor breeding performance by modern queens (See BBKA News 8/05 p.10) He listed some of the evidence for this from various sources around the country and speculated on possible reasons. Anecdotally, the reported problems seem to have followed the spread of varroa across the British Isles. Could it be that queen fertility is being affected by the build up of varroacide residues in wax? No answers yet, but some thought provoking questions.
The next part of the day was spent in revisiting issues to do with BBKA's new Constitution, which it is hoped may be finally ratified in January. The money-making arm of the Association (BBKA Enterprises) was also reviewed with an encouraging response to the idea that it could investigate become a trading company of the kind now familiar in organisations like the RSPB or National Trust. A member of the Essex Association distributed a paper containing ideas for BBKA's consideration as part of a membership drive and the Executive spoke about the plans for the new Stoneleigh Apiary.
Tim Lovatt reported back on further talks with DEFRA about the cuts proposed to the services currently available to beekeepers. The news was disappointing. Science research contracts at Rothamstead are not being renewed and plans to reduce the number of BDOs are still on course. However, 30,000 beekeepers have now signed protest petitions and questions are being asked (BBKA News 10/05 p.3) in Parliament. (see also item 5 below)
In Any Other Business at the end of the day one colleague described evidence he has now found of bees apparently attacking the carapace of varroa mites. (BBKA News 10/05 p.5). He hopes to be able to report more on this in the future.
2. Last Meeting Report
The October meeting was our AGM. Attendance was low with about 20 members present compared to the usual 35-40. The meeting followed the usual formal agenda. The Treasurer's Report is here. Members will see that although our cash reserve is strong the annual cash flow only just covers expenses (helped by the tax reclaimed from subscriptions that have been covenanted.) The reserves may well be needed to develop the new apiary site that we will have create during the coming year. The Treasurer therefore proposed to the AGM that the annual subscription be raised to meet expected increases in costs. The motion was carried. 3. Next Meeting
The speaker for November 9th is Jim Crundwell, past lecturer in beekeeping at Pershore College and a commercial beekeeper. He is one of the most able practical beekeepers and has many interesting tales and labour saving tips. Every member will enjoy listening to him and will learn something new. Time: 7.30 p.m. Place: The Rosa Room at Radbrook College. Don't miss it.
4. Another Difficult Year by Selby Martin
Last year I wrote a short account of a truly disastrous beekeeping year in which just about everything went wrong, all because of stupid mistakes on my part. I had hoped that readers might learn from them.
5. Tories Swarm on Labour Plan 'to cut bee welfare'
The Conservative Party launched a stinging attack yesterday on what it said were government plans to cut a programme protecting bee health. In response to a question from David Taylor, a labour M.P., Jim Knight, the Junior Environment Minister said that £1.2 million had been spent this year to protect honeybees. Mr. Taylor said that any cuts could cause the loss of colonies to disease. No cuts had been made, but research was investigating changes, Mr. Knight said. However, Owen Paterson, the Shadow Environment Minister, said that Ivor Davies, the chair of the British Beekeepers Association, had told him that pollination would be jeopardised by a proposed cut in Inspectors. Mr. Knight said the programme would be maintained unless research suggested savings could be made. 6. Round and
About
Oswestry BKA:
The 2005 programme is now completed. Members are advised that this will be the last Newsletter distributed until the Spring. Enquiries: 01691 654448 7. Members
Advertisements
For
Sale Val Billington is retiring from beekeeping and intends to sell off all her equipment, which includes: 2 national hives with supers, 2 full beesuits, electric extractor and all necessary equipment, which would suit a beginner. The price can be by negotiation. Her phone number is 01952 603687.
The following Committee members have resigned:
Peter Holgate, Dick Powell, John and Chris Perkins
The following members were elected onto the Committee:
Robert and Joan Higginson and Steve Jones
Show Committee: off: Rob Steventon
on: Robert and Joan Higginson
It is sad to record that this year has been even worse, but this time not entirely through my fault. The problem was simple - our colonies just died over the winter, that is eight hives at Shrewsbury School and four out of five in my own garden. Others had similar experiences and the reason seems to have been the weather (always a good excuse when things go wrong) combined with various diseases.
Oddly enough, one of my colonies was exceptionally strong and well set to produce a good crop of honey. Then on inspection, it proved to have several queen cells and was clearly about to swarm. Having just attended a demonstration of shook swarm treatment in Mid - Wales, I set about dividing this hive and was disappointed that neither half produced a laying queen and so they died out.
Fortunately I had already ordered two queens from a supplier in Buckinghamshire and had high hopes of re-establishing two of my hives. The problem was that by then I had no brood with which to get them started and soon found that it is virtually impossible to introduce a queen into a hive which has been queenless for many weeks. Our president Brian Goodwin, that endless fount of beekeeping wisdom, kindly invited me to take two combs with brood from the Association's hives at Radbrook College.
I arranged for the two queens to be despatched on a Monday so that I could introduce them on the Tuesday and all was made ready. Sadly, the queens did not arrive the next morning, nor on the Wednesday. Where were they? I told our postman all about it and telephoned the Shrewsbury sorting office. This was put on full alert for the mysterious looking package and searches were undertaken throughout the SY3 sorting area. To no avail. When they didn't come on Thursday either, I reported back to the supplier and asked him to send two more, which he did. Yes, of course, on Friday morning four queens arrived, two bright eyed and two distinctly sluggish; traces of coffee stains on the wrapper suggested that it had been used as a saucer somewhere along the way.
So off to Radbrook College where nucleus boxes had been set up in advance. Unfortunately, the strongest hive, from which I had been directed to take a comb of brood, proved to be broodless, so an empty comb with a good number of bees on it was put into the first box. The second hive inspected had plenty of brood and a frame was duly transferred with some workers on it. The two lay, albeit rather feebly. The warm autumn has enabled both colonies to build up their strength. I am glad to say that the Association's hives that produced the frames seem none the worse for it.
Meanwhile, the Association had also come to the rescue of the Shrewsbury School Beekeeping Society, putting us in touch with a member who was about to dispose of her colonies. We now have three colonies at school from that source and they seem to be prospering. More importantly, they have enabled the Society to keep going with practical studies for several boys interested in beekeeping. Both the School Society and I personally wish to record our thanks to the Association for their generous support at a difficult time.
From The Times of Friday October 21st. (Cutting supplied by Mr. R. Swallow who also points out that Owen Patterson is the M.P. for North Shropshire).
NSBKA:The AGM will be held on November 15th at The Raven, Tilley commencing at 7.30 p.m. Further details: Mike Harris Tel: 01939 232302
Ludlow & District BKA:The Annual Dinner will be on Saturday November 19th in Aston-on-Clun Village Hall.
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