| Bromley
Bee News Monthly Update Beekeepers |
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Welcome to the April 2004 issue of Bromley News.
I have been putting off looking at my bees for 2 months due to the protracted Winter but finally I did it. The first season’s visit was during those two warm sunny afternoons this week. It wasn’t a perfect start as I couldn’t get access to my allotment, somebody had changed the padlocks (I did pay my rent honestly). All three colonies had the floors scrapped and
were given a good scorching with a blow lamp, plus I added clean
queen excluders and one or two supers depending on strength of hive.
I only had time to inspect the weakest stock, this was running dangerously
low on stores and may not have lasted the night (good timing), I
filled one side of a comb with warm syrup to tide them over. Even
though this looked like the weakest stock it had 3 frames of brood
which may have stretched the hive’s resources, I could see
a alarming amount of sac and chalk brood which might clear up as
the season progresses. Later this month I shall give each hive a
brood box on top with new frames and foundation let them move up
and establish themselves before removing the old brood box and burning
the blackened and mouldy frames.
I’m really looking forward to going to
Stoneleigh on the 24th, if you haven’t been before it’s
a really good day out and a chance to pick up some bargains. If you
want to share a car, why not come to the apiary meeting the week
before and find out who’s
going. Download the full programme from the BBKA website http://www.bbka.org.uk/convention.php Internet Resources Apis-UK March issue No.22 prints to 26 sides of
A4. Contents: Editorial; Beekeeping news; Bee press; Articles: The
Danish tradition of changing all beeswax brood combs every year by
David Ashton. Danish honey retains its quality translated by David
Ashton from an article by Benny Gade journalist and beekeeper. African
honey bee update Kim Kaplan. The genome project Matt Allen puts it
all into perspective. Diary of events and more. Total D/L 246KB. April heralds the return to two Apiary meetings per month. One on the first Sunday of the month at 11:45am and the other on the third Sunday of the month at 3:00pm . Easy, isn't it. Well I would have thought so but there are still some who turn up on the wrong day or at the wrong time. Still as long as it is not you. For the last lecture of the season we have Peter Griffiths coming
along to show and tell us how to make mead. Peter came and talked to
us on the same subject about eight years ago and it was very well received.
Get your notebooks out and list all the questions you may have. I am
sure Peter will be able to answer them. Don't forget the date. Tuesday
the 20th April at 7:30pm . Get your requests for swarms to either John Henman 020-8460-8452 or Clive Watson 020-8658-3786 as soon as possible but be prepared to wait, as there is a larger demand this year than is usual but be patient, I can't recall a year when we haven't found enough to go around. Stocks that went into winter with reasonable numbers of bees and stores are getting stronger by the day but if you haven't done so already get your supers on now, the last thing you want is for your stocks to swarm and take lots of bees and honey with them. We are still awaiting confirmation that the show at Blackheath is on which normally takes place on the first Saturday of June but the hugely successful show at Woodlands Farm, Shooters Hill goes ahead on Sunday the 16th May. Don't forget we want all the honey you can find and you will get a good price and no hassle. At these shows we usually run out an hour or so before closing time and it's such a shame to have to disappoint the public. As to the Queen rearing programme, the weather has been so cold that I haven't been inclined to make a start but having said that, the days are now getting warmer and even if the sun doesn't put his hat on, it won't be long before a start can be made. Here's to full supers and no swarming, that is no swarming from our stocks. Peter Springall A report from Catford beekeeper Gregory Boon Why not share your news and beekeeping plans with us? Email the editor. Diary Dates Sunday 4th April 11:45am - The
branch morning apiary meeting. Beekeeping demonstrations
and hive management if the weather permits. Tea and biscuits provided. Saturday 24th April 9:00am - 5:00pm - The BBKA Spring Convention and Exhibition at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ. Tickets and programme from the BBKA website www.bbka.org.uk Sunday 2nd May 11:45am - The branch morning apiary meeting. Beekeeping demonstrations and hive management if the weather permits. Tea and biscuits provided.Outside Events 2004 Bumble Gear |
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