Bromley
Bee News Monthly Update
Published by the Bromley Beekeepers |
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Welcome
to the September 2001 issue of Bromley News.
Cover pictures of Peter's new observation hive as seen at Cudham August Bank Holiday I prefer
to take the honey off during the evening; this seems to prevent the
robbing frenzy. When cracking open the boxes I was aware that there
was not observed always a bee space due to the mishmash of different
supers picked up cheaply at auctions over the years. You wonder what
happened to standard sizes! My honey harvest seems to be down on the
last 2 years, the worst performers were the 4 hives with New Zealand
queens that didn't like the hot weather and display more swarming
behaviour. Steven Turner (editor) Email: crow@zbee.com BeeNet: 240:244/118 Tel: (020) 86980313
As I
write these notes I am still recovering from our last outdoor display
of the season. I always find a day off with a chance to talk to members
of the public to be a pleasant change from my usual activities. The
event at Cudham on Bank Holiday Monday was no exception and it is
most noticeable how the level of the questions improves as we move
farther from the metropolis.
There are always exceptions of course as was the case of one lady who insisted that we were displaying wasps in our observation hive and assured us that we were all wrong. I told her that I had been keeping these 'wasps' for over fifty years as had millions of other beekeepers. She slinked off but I am sure not she was entirely convinced. We do not usually stage an apiary meeting on the first Sunday of August, but as the announcement had incorrectly found it's way into the Kent County News, Clive went along just in case and found about half a dozen members keen to see what is going on. The meetings on the first Sunday of the month at 11:45am are of course now under way and will continue until next June. I must thank Clive and Jack for the most enjoyable evening at the BBQ staged at his apiary site and special thanks to his wife Barbara who does so much unseen behind the scenes. A second BBQ followed a week later this time at the Kent House Road site when about ten of us joined the plot holders for the evening. A most enjoyable time had by all except perhaps for Barbara who was singled out by the local mosquito population for special attention. Several enquired where the BBQ would be held the following week. Obviously a popular event, perhaps we should stage more of them next year. The main event this month is the Honey Show when we join Orpington Branch to display the many varied products we produce from the efforts of our little charges. Please do enter something even if it's only one jar of honey in the gift class. Unfortunately Steve and I will not be able to attend as we have been booked to take part in the Surrey Convention which is a biennial event supposedly meant to alternate with Kent often called off due to lack of support by Kent members
Peter
Springall E-Mail: ps@zbee.com
Tel: 02086903906 Mobile: 07779970104 |
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