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.

CBKA chairman trains beekeepers in Uganda

Posted on by June 26, 2012

Many of you will know that Stuart Andrews, our chairman, is also vice-chair of the charity Bees Abroad, which aims to relieve poverty though beekeeping.  He recently made a trip to Uganda to help train beekeepers – who themselves will become trainers in their local communities.  You can read more about this at the Bees Abroad website – here.

1st July visit by our seasonal bee inspector

Posted on by June 24, 2012

We still have spaces for more apiaries to visit by Michael Cooper on the Bee tour on Sunday 1st July.
Everyone who took part last year enjoyed it and thought it was worthwhile – Michael is a very helpful Seasonal Bee Inspector, so do come forward.  We would especially like to see new beekeepers and those who have not been visited by Michael this year.

If we follow last year’s pattern we will visit three in the morning have a break for lunch where people can join or leave the tour and then three in the afternoon.  There is no need to lay on anything more than a drink, although at  the lunch and last visit it is nice for people to bring a shared lunch or tea.

Please contact Julian Audsley ASAP if you would like to take advantage of Michael’s tour.