Bromley
Bee News Monthly Update
Published by the Bromley Beekeepers |
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Welcome
to the April 2003 issue of Bromley News.
I used to have an outlet for my honey in the local Cats Protection shop in Catford but this closed down. I wasn't in any great hurry to find another outlet as good quality honey is very much in demand judging by my spring sales at the door this year. A number of new customers had discovered the local honey sources via the Internet and a few got my phone number from the honey labels on the jars sold in the shop. I have managed to get around all my bees for a spring clean and inspections, adding at least one super. I only lost one colony of New Zealand bees in the garden of David and Janie Edward in Penge which were excellent producers last year. The bees had starved to death although there was still plenty of food in the frames either side of the cluster, other factors like Nosema plus the wet and cold Jan/Feb must have contributed. The combs were new last year and still looked good, even so I ordered their destruction by burning. The blow lamp was run over all the hive parts and new frames and wax ordered so we can re-stock with a prime swarm later this spring. My main apiary on the allotment was beginning to be taken over by brambles (my old veil was cut to ribbons last year), I was determined not to let the same fate happen to my new BBwear suit (it's a fine balance between ruining your clothes and having free blackberries). I erected the usual screening round the hives, this helps drive the bees up and avoids the problem of bees getting in the hair of people working on adjacent plots. Keeping in with fellow plot holders pays in the long run. If you
would like a swarm to get you started or for expansion, fill in the
swarm form and give to Clive Watson ASAP. Swarms are usually in abundance
and homes are needed for them.
Internet Do
you have a webcam? Improved
web version of this newsletter with pictures Apis-UK
- The free Beekeeping web magazine and newsletter This
article found on BeeSource.com Diablo
Beekeepers in the USA URL: http://www.diablobees.org
Apiary News Thank you all for your efforts in tidying up the apiary prior to last month's meeting. Due to holidays and other commitments I have been unable to do much in that direction since. One good thing is that several visitors have remarked upon the clearance so it has done some good. Throughout the summer it would be much appreciated if some of you could turn up early for the meetings and perhaps put in half an hour on the Bee Garden. I had hopes of Cecelia taking it on but her circumstances have changed and she will be unable to do anything this year. April sees the beginning of the summer series of meetings that take place at 3:00pm on the third Sunday afternoon of each month until August. The 20th this month. If we remain clear of the EFB problems we have been facing for the past years, I will see about getting some visiting demonstrators from further a field. The last of the winter series of lectures takes place on Tuesday the 15th April when a master in the art of modelling with beeswax Martin Buckle is coming from Bedford to give us the low down on his superb skill which has won him so many awards at Honey Shows around the country and especially at The National Honey Show. He came to talk to our Branch about four years ago and it was so interesting that we have booked him again. Towards the end of this month we can expect to see the first swarms. So many stocks seemed to have succumbed this winter that no doubt swarms will be in demand, so get your request in with John (020-8777-4853) or Clive (020-8658-3786) early as I am sure there will be quite a demand this year. Don't forget my words from last year. Re-queen as soon as possible and breed out that swarming tendency. If you
haven't done it already, GET THOSE SUPERS ON and sit back and
wait for the honey flow. Peter
Springall Diary
Dates Tuesday
15th April 2003 7:30pm Sunday
20th April 2003 3:00pm Sunday
4th May 2003 11:45am For
more information Advertising David
Harris Bees
for Sale |
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