Bromley
Bee News Monthly Update
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Welcome to the May 2004 issue of Bromley News.
It was in May thirteen years ago when I got my first swarm. Members of the Bromley branch who would like bees should register with the swarm coordinator by filling in a swarm form available from Clive Watson. If you’re already on the swarm list be in a high state of readiness, have an empty hive setup in the chosen apiary site. It’s important you wear a full bee suit as the temperament of the bees will be unknown, take a step ladderwith you and some large cardboard boxes and a white bed sheet plus a tree pruning saw and secateurs. If you are lucky the swarm will be easily accessible i.e. hanging in the lower branches of a tree or brambles. Sometimes all you need to do is hold a cardboard box under the swarm and shake the branch and all the bees will fall into the box. Put the box on the ground and let the flying bees enter the box, when you’re happy you have most of them put the sheet over the box for transporting home and hive them that evening (if its not too cold or raining). First timers may not have the confidence to collect a large swarm in which case call on another beekeeper/branch member to help you. Everybody wants the prime swarms as these draw out fresh foundation quickly and produce big surplus honey crops. Good luck. Sending larva to CSL National Bee Unit Resistance test kits New Forest & Hampshire
County Show Internet Resources
Seven of us made our way in two cars to the BBKA Convention at Stoneleigh where we met up with another eight from our branch. There is an increasing interest in beekeeping and it showed in the crowds that attended the event. A good time had by all. The weather last weekend had us believing that the queen rearing program could go ahead, the three days of wonderful weather was short lived, we are now back to our usual summer weather which has put the damper on all our plans. Robin Spon Smith has made a start and has left a four frame nucleus box at the branch apiary in the hope of rearing a new queen which will be mated at that site in the hope that the good temper shown by the stocks there will show in the new queen as has been so in the past. The turnout of 20 for the meeting on the third Tuesday of last month was somewhat disappointing. When I announced the subject would be Making Mead there appeared to be quite an interest. Those of you who couldn't make it certainly missed a good evening especially when the samples came around. Hopefully we will be able to make a start on the queen rearing this Sunday but I must say it doesn't look at all promising at the moment. The meeting on the third Sunday of the month the 16th coincides with the allotment Open Day so don't be surprised if there are still people milling around during the meeting. Perhaps we can get the public interested in producing a few new queens. Peter Springall
Diary Dates Sunday 2nd May 11:45am - The branch morning apiary meeting. Beekeeping demonstrations and hive management if the weather permits. Tea and biscuits provided.Sunday 16th May 3:00pm - The branch afternoon apiary meeting . Beekeeping demonstrations and hive management if the weather permits. Tea and biscuits provided. Sunday 16th May - Woodlands Farm Trust Open Day. Shooters Hill. More details from Tom Winks. [Saturday 5th June - Blackheath Village Fayre , Blackheath. Assembly 10 am, Fayre opens 1-5 pm . CANCELLED EVENT] For more information Peter Springall 020-8690-3906 Mobile: 07779 970104 Email: ps@zbee.com Tom Winks Chairman 020-8777-3144 Clive Watson 020-8658-3786 Steven Turner (editor) 020-8698-0313 Email: crow@zbee.com Visit our website www.kentbee.com/bromley Advertisements (free to members or £10.00 for non-members) Bumble Gear |
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