Please find attached a copy of the NBU’s report for the SE region in 2015. There’s some useful information about diseases (chronic bee paralysis virus or CPBV), quite a few personnel changes – Kay Wreford (SBI, North Kent) and Diane Steele (new RBI), and reminders about exotic pests.
note from Bob Smith, Julie Coleman and Adrian Davis
During November and December, we have been running a series of evening workshops examining key aspects of beekeeping, aimed particularly at “Improvers”. Over 30 beekeepers, mainly from West Kent, attended the sessions at Tyland Barn near Maidstone and the feedback from participants has been excellent – so good in fact that we felt we should re-run the course at a venue more convenient for beekeepers in East Kent.
I’m pleased therefore to be able to say that “Improver Key Skills” will be run at Mann Lake, Bridge near Canterbury on 4 consecutive Tuesday evenings, 26th January – 16th February; 7.30-9.30 each evening.
The 4 sessions will take the time to examine, explore and discuss aspects of beekeeping that separate competent beekeepers from those who are just muddling along – proactive colony management, swarm prevention and control (of course), dealing with varroa and aspects of bee health, apiary hygiene and comb-changing.
If you would like to take your beekeeping up a level, this could be the course for you?
The cost is £25 for the 4 sessions, booking may be made via the KSRC website – www.ksrcbees.org.uk
Please review the draft AGM minutes – whether you were present or not. They can be read here: AGM agenda and minutes 4th November 2015 DRAFT
Please send any comments or corrections to cantbees@gmail.com.
Additional ideas for the new committee to consider are welcomed, either by email, or better, via the CBKA discussion forum; the relevant discussion thread can be found here
As we don’t have our own show, please consider entering the Dover Honey Show on 24th October – it’s a fun event, and it’s not taken *too* seriously. Whether you have honey or wax to show, or are a skilled meadmaker or cake baker, there’s a class for you. DDBKA would be delighted if you would put up posters to advertise the show to your neighbours (download them from these links: 2015 Show Poster (2xA5) and 2015 Show+Poster A4)
More information can be found on this form – which also has the Show entry form – which should be submitted by 17th October.
The Kent Honey Show is part of the county show from 10-12 July at the showground at the top of Detling Hill (on the A249, ME14 3JF). Kent Beekeepers do demonstrations to the public, as well as run a honey show. Publicity for the latter this year has been lacking, but for your information, I attach the Honey Show schedule. Entries were due in on 26th June.
You can read the introduction to the beekeeping event here.
KENT SHOW 2015 STEWARDS LETTER JUNE 2015