Canterbury Beekeepers

Just to confirm that we will have our first apiary meeting of the season on Saturday 20th April, 2-4pm, at our Palmsted Wood apiary.  Hopefully you have already seen the date on our website, or on our Facebook page.

As well as early season inspections of a few weak colonies, we will be demonstrating some or all of the following colony management techniques

• shook swarm or drone brood culling, on a colony that seems badly infested with varroa
• a colony split of a large colony, using the nucleus method
• uniting of two colonies, where one has a poorly laying queen

As usual, please come with clean suits and gloves. Continuing Kent BKA’s policy from 2023, we will ask folks to sign a disclaimer form, acknowledging the (small) risks inherent in beekeeping.

For any newbees, we will show you the principles of opening a beehive, and looking for signs of health, and any swarming preparations.  If you don’t have a suit, we have a small selection from which you can borrow for the afternoon.  We don’t like leather gloves, but kitchen marigolds are fine, as are hospital/surgeons’ gloves.  Wear wellie boots (to keep the bees from your ankles), and preferably avoid woollen/hairy clothing, as bees can get caught up in the fibres. 

Any questions about visiting the apiary, just drop a line to Adrian at chairman@canterburybeekeepers.org.uk

In what has become a long-running tradition, we are planning our December branch meeting to be a festive occasion, with the focus on food and good company.  Magdalene Mei Halkes will lead a crack team of chefs in producing meals for us all to share,  We are still finalising the menu, but it will be centered around a winter vegetable stew, served with rice.  Whilst a few people have already offered to help produce cakes and pies, any other offers to bake would be gladly received.  If your skills are better aligned to Christmas decorations, or quizzing, please let us know – all help is welcome.

Location: Littlebourne War Memorial Hall, 56 High St, Littlebourne, Canterbury CT3 1ST

Date/Time: Wednesday 6th December at 1930-2200

RSVP by email to “committee @ canterburybeekeepers.org.uk”, by 30th November, so that we can cater appropriately.  Partners and significant others are very welcome to join us.  Numbers will be limited, due to the size of the hall, so please book soon!

As you know, the hall has a small kitchen, so to keep things simple, we ask that you bring your own plates and cutlery, together with your own choice of drinks.
We also ask that you pay in advance to keep administration of the monies simple.   Please deposit £12/person into the Canterbury branch, Kent BKA account.  Account number: 00371771 sortcode: 30-91-60, using your name(s) as reference.

If you want to pay with a cheque, please let us know.