Just to point out that the style of the CBKA disussion forum has changed quite a lot – due to software updates. Hopefully it’s “even” simpler to use than before, but if you have any questions, try to use the discussion thread here to document problems/concerns.
European Food Standards Authority (EFSA) scientists have identified a number of risks posed to bees by three neonicotinoid insecticides, in their report which was published on 16th January 2013. Please find attached a letter and statement from the BBKA Chairman; David Aston, regarding the EFSA report, directed to all BBKA members.
The letter from Dr Aston is here
The full BBKA statement is here
European Food Standards Authority’s press release is here.
With a view to building on past success, for 2013 your committee has resolved to put mentoring on a more extensive and formal basis than has been the practice in our club in the past. With this in mind we intend to set up a series of ‘cells’ ,small geographically distinct groups of people, each centered round an experienced leader. The group will include some at an intermediate level, needing help to move to the next level, but able to offer support to beginners, as well as beginners needing mentoring to learn the practice of the craft.
With this plan in mind, could you please write an email to David Cockburn before the end of January putting the word ‘Mentoring’ in the subject line. In the text of your mail I will need your location and post code, any comment, some indication of your priority objectives from mentoring and your typical availability during the season. If you keep bees I also need to know the number of hives and the number of years you have been beekeeping, otherwise please just state that you are a beginner.
If you want to be part of our mentoring programme – as lead or participant – then please use link below to contact David Cockburn, who will be coordinating the establishment of the groups
The beekeeping courses for Kentish beekeepers at the Kent Science Resource Centre in Sittingbourne are continuing in 2013. I would draw your attention urgently to the upcoming event “Beekeeping for Improvers” on Wed 23rd January. Follow this link to find out more.
Also, there’s a strong focus on microscopy, something that can be difficult to get started in. Microscopes play an important role in many aspects of beekeeping, from bee disease and pest diagnosis through to the examination of collected pollen loads to gain an insight into their foraging behaviour. The laboratories at KSRC are superbly equipped, with modern Zeiss compound and Nikon zoom stereo microscopes. Class sizes for these courses are restricted to 10 or 12, to allow each student to have exclusive use of a pair of microscopes. If you have your own equipment, you are welcome to bring it and work with familiar kit, help will be available on the correct set-up and use. The first course is on Wednesday 30th January.
This is a reminder that our AGM is Wednesday 7th November at Whitefriars Conference room at 7.30. We will have reports of the year from officers and then elect the new officers for the year and committee to help run the our activities.
There is then an opportunity to put your own ideas forward for activities and how the branch will be developed over this next year.
After this we have two short films for you to enjoy. Details below.
Mandyam Srinivasan – Vision, Robotics and Bees
Mandyam Srinivasan’s research focuses on the principles of visual processing, perception and cognition in simple natural systems – especially bees. In this talk, he shows how much bees can learn, by training them in mazes. He also discusses the role of the head-butt in the waggle dance (!)
Jonathan Drori: The beautiful tricks of flowers
In this visually dazzling talk, Jonathan Drori shows the extraordinary ways flowering plants — over a quarter million species — have evolved to attract insects to spread their pollen: growing ‘landing-strips’ to guide the insects in, shining in ultraviolet, building elaborate traps, and even mimicking other insects in heat.