Membership renewal 2012/3

Posted on by September 16, 2012
The Kent Beekeepers Association membership year draws to an end.   For some it has certainly been a very challenging year with low honey harvests and poor queen mating due to the dismal summer.
Our new year starts on the 1st October and here is the 2012/13 Membership Form to enable you to renew your membership of the Kent Beekeepers Association.    You will notice that the full member subscription has risen to £42 from £40.   This is because the Beecraft element of the subscription has increased by £2.25 but KBKA are absorbing 25p of the extra cost.   To remind you, KBKA members receive Beecraft at a 25% reduction to the price paid by other subscribers.   Electronic Beecraft remains at the same price  – £7 may now be deducted from your subscription instead of £5.
There are other membership categories too, so here’s a link to our Membership Guide which will help you decide which category of membership is appropriate for you.
I hope you find being a member of Canterbury Beekeepers of benefit and have been able to attend our monthly meetings.   Our new  venue for winter meetings has proved to be a success – easy to reach, even in bad weather, and easy for parking – as well as being a bright and comfortable room.  Our website is well supported and many members log in to the forum where practical advice on beekeeping is sought and discussed. If you have not visited the website yet I encourage you to do so for much information and advice.
Please print out and complete the Membership Form and send it to me with your cheque. If it is easier for you, you may make an electronic transfer to pay for your subscription – bank details:   Sort Code 30-91-60   Account No 00371771, but please make a note on your form that you have chosen this method of payment.  My address is shown on the Form.    If you would prefer me to forward a Form in the post please contact joan at joan.mcallister@virgin.net or 07824 668042. I will also be at the October meeting on the 3rd October when you will be able to renew your membership in person.
If you have any queries or would like to discuss the renewal of your membership do not hesitate to get in touch on 07824 668042.

NDB courses for 2012/3 updated

Posted on by October 20, 2012

You might be interested to know that the 2012-2013 programme is under development and the first few courses are about to appear in BeeCraft.  The website contains details of the 6 courses listed so far, there will be others.

What is new this year?  There are completely new courses (e.g. Brood Diseases, Bee Behaviour) and many of the existing courses have been modified or completely re-written in response to feedback and to make them more focussed on the Healthy Bees Plan objectives and the BBKA education and training system.  Although the courses currently on offer are confined to the existing Devon and Kent training centres, negotiations are on-going to secure more northerly venues.

The good news is that, with generous sponsorship from Fera via the Healthy Bees Plan, courses this season will be offered for just £75 for the 2 days, including refreshments, light lunches and all of the handouts and consumables.  As previously, class sizes will remain small (typically 10-12) and two tutors will be available, ensuring a high degree of individual attention.  Here are some of the upcoming courses:

November 4, 5 Honeybee Behaviour new date Dan Basterfield Devon
December 1, 2 Anatomy & Dissection new date Ken Basterfield Devon
December 3, 4 Advanced Husbandry new date Ivor Davis Devon
December 6, 7 Pollen new date & venue Bob Smith York
February 1, 2 Microscopy filling Ken Basterfield Devon
February 3, 4 Adult Bee Diseases Dan Basterfield Devon
February 10, 11 Adult Bee Diseases new date Dan Basterfield Kent
March 1, 2 Pollen new date Bob Smith Kent

So, please take a look at the website – www.national-diploma-bees.org.uk – and see whether you are tempted.  The KSRC site in Sittingbourne is the home for several of the courses, so is relatively accessible for us.

With the appointment of David Blower as Education Co-ordinator for the BBKA, the NDB people are hoping more closely to integrate the various training opportunities within the 2 organisations.  For example, the early NDB courses mentioned above are particularly targetted to those considering taking the BBKA Module 3 exam (Pests & Diseases) in November.

Apiary meeting, Saturday 1st September

Posted on by August 31, 2012

We have our September Apiary visit this Saturday, 1st September, 2:30PM at the club apiary Bredlands Lane, Westbere, CT2 0HD. It’s a great opportunity for new beekeepers to see how to deal with the honey crop, application of Apiguard and assess the colonies in preparation for Winter. We can also bemoan the bad weather and the poor honey crop!

WANTED
If you have any old cups – not cracked or chipped ones please! – we want to build up a stock of equipment to be left at the apiary. We are also looking for any outdoor chairs you may have taking up space in your shed.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Skep-making

Posted on by July 29, 2012

If you fancy learning how to make skeps from straw, then Nick Mengham is running a day-course at KSRC in November.  Places are limited, so sign up soon!  http://canterburybeekeepers.org.uk/products-page/