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/

28/29th weekend in July

Posted on by July 28, 2012

A final reminder that we have two events this weekend.

On Saturday 28th July, 10am-4pm, we’ll have another meet the public session in the Whitefriars display area. Contact Chris Bristow (0787 292 8138) if you can help man the stall, or supply honey for sale.

On Sunday 29th July, 1-4pm,  we’ve arranged a bumblebee identification walk with Dr Nikki Gammans of the BBCT at Dungeness.  This will comprise an identification session and a walk out in the reserve.  Contact Stuart Andrews (0797 369 0428) urgently, if you will be attending.  We need to let Nikki know numbers so she can prepare her handouts.

Report on Brogdale Cherry Festival

Posted on by July 10, 2012

Despite the mixed early July weather and lower numbers at the Cherry Festival, there was a lot of interest in beekeeping from attendees of all ages. The observation hive was particularly popular, as was our honey which a number of members brought along. In fact, we sold out!  These type of events are a great way to showcase our Club and provide a perfect educational forum for bee keeping to a wide audience.

You can see some photos of the event in our gallery.

Thanks to Maggie Mackenzie for coordinating the volunteer rota and to Chris Bristow & Chris Bailes for taking up the mantle of the talks which are generally handled by Julian Audsley.  Thanks to all members who volunteered their time this weekend.  Next volunteering opportunities are at Hambrook Marshes on 14th July. Contact Jenny Cotterill.  We are also looking at a late July date in Whitefriars and, of course, there will be the other festivals at Brogdale in the Autumn.