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Welcome
to the November 2002 issue of Bromley News.
 I'm
winding up this seasons beekeeping with a few observations on my own
bees. I took longer than usual to remove the anti-varroa treatments
as it wasn't too cold or windy, making full hive inspections possible.
I then found it was easier to remove the strips without rolling the
bees. If you are just pulling the strips with snip nose pliers, you
should be especially careful to avoid rolling the queen by using plenty
of smoke above the strip to drive her away.
One
particular colony on my allotment apiary was packed with bees and
had completely filled every frame with stores so little room was left
for the queen to lay, in fact I could only find a few square inches
of brood. I did consider swapping some of the combs with another hive
but decided against any action to see how it wintered.
Next
Year
I make a point of changing all the combs on two hives each season.
I start this is early in the spring by putting a new brood on top
of the old box with new frames and foundation. The bees will move
up drawing out the combs. When the queen is laying in the top box
I remove the old box and shake all the bees from the old combs in
to the new brood chamber. This re-invigorates the colony and produces
some nice combs with good brood patterns not the patchy ones you often
have with old combs. I have tried to keep spare combs for nucs but
find it a waste of time due to the ravages of wax moth, so I prefer
now to just dispose of the old combs, I'm sure this helps me keep
healthy bees.
The
National Honey Show
This annual event is nearly upon us again, I'm sure the publicity
has reached you all, so you won't be needing any reminders of the
dates and opening times! If you would like a poster to put in your
car window, download this pdf file http://www.honeyshow.co.uk/files/nhs2002poster.pdf
I have entered 9 classes this year and preparations are well under
way as I switch into highly competitive mode.
When
you talk to top showers like Bromley branch member Peter Bashford,
who has been very helpful and often let slip one or two secrets of
his success. I asked about his filter cloths and he suggested that
you can buy plain cotton cloth from the Alders department store.
The cloth I bought was plain brown and looked fine enough and worth
a try. I warmed the 28lb bucket of honey in my thermostat controlled
warming cabinet (old fridge) and was intending to pour through 2 metal
filters and then the fine cloth filter and all in one go! I should
have remembered what Peter Bashford said about the time honey takes
to go through the cloth he uses. What a disaster, honey was pouring
out the side of the metal filter rather than through the cloth filter.
About 15lbs of my best honey went flooding over the work surfaces
and cooker. This was a major set back, I should have taken more care
with unfamiliar equipment. What Fun!
I
hope you will visit the 2002 National this year as it could be
the last one at Kensington Town Hall, this prestigious venue cost
thousands of pounds to hire for four days. Each year the charges go
up and visitors numbers go down. The future of the show is threatened
and may have to be relocated to another venue out of London.
Internet
News
Improved web version of this newsletter
URL: http://www.kentbee.com/bromley/newsletters/novbbk02.htm
People aiming to lower their cholesterol should turn to honey
and almonds as well as fruits and vegetables, scientists say. Two
separate studies suggest the foods could be beneficial because both
help lower cholesterol. Researchers discovered honey contained as
many antioxidants - which combat the free radicals which can damage
cells - as spinach, apples, oranges or strawberries. Read the full
story from the URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2203073.stm
Steven
Turner
Apiary
News
Clive and I paid Dave Harris a visit last week at home and I am pleased
to say that he looks a whole lot better than when we saw him in the
early part of October. Needless to say he was pleased to receive us
and was hoping to get some more visits from members. Give him a ring
on 020 8850 7826, I'm sure he would be delighted to hear from you.
Of course
November is a very important month with the National Honey Show just
around the corner and don't forget! if you have the time come along
on Tuesday evening the 12th anytime after 6.00pm to lend a
hand fixing up the staging. It is very important that we get the stands
all ready to receive the exhibits on the following day and any help
will be much appreciated.
On
Tuesday the 19th November is the AGM of the Branch, followed
by the AGM of the Club when among other things we can discuss our
successes on the show bench.
If you
haven't yet fitted your Bavarol or Apistan Strips do it at the first
opportunity, but don't forget to remove them six to eight weeks later.
I do not usually put these strips in every year but Robin and I were
surprised to see many dead and half dead varroa mites coming out of
the front door of his nucleus hive after strips were applied.
At the
moment I am laid up with a very painful leg. "Nerve trouble"
said the Doctor, "take two tablets four times a day and come
back and see me if you're not better in a fortnight". I can't
stand for more than two minutes at a time, so if I'm missing at the
meeting this Sunday you'll know what it's all about
Peter
Springall
Diary
Dates
Sunday
3rd November 11.45am
The branch apiary meeting. Beekeeping demonstrations and hive
management. Tea and biscuits provided.
14th-16th
November - The National Honey Show at Kensington Town Hall, Hornton
Street, Kensington High Street, London. http://www.honeyshow.co.uk/
Tuesday
19th November at 7.30pm
Annual general meeting on at branch HQ (where we have our apiary meetings).
Sunday 1st December 11.45am
The branch apiary meeting. Beekeeping demonstrations and hive
management. Tea and biscuits provided.
Sunday
1st December 11.45am
The branch apiary meeting. Beekeeping demonstrations and hive management.
Tea and biscuits provided.
For
more information
Peter Springall 020-8690-3906 Mobile: 07779970104 E-Mail
Tom Winks Chairman 020-8777-3144
Clive Watson 020-8658-3786
Steven Turner (editor) 020-8698-0313 E-Mail
Visit our website www.kentbee.com/bromley
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