Westerham Branch has members in Biggin Hill, Westerham, Crockham Hill, Edenbridge and surrounding areas. We meet regularly in winter at Westerham Hall, Quebec Avenue, near the centre of Westerham, and in summer at members' apiaries.

Programme for 2008

The following meetings have been arranged.

Study Group for new beekeepers
Fortnightly discussion group meetings will be held from the beginning of December 2007 to March 2008 for new beekeepers following a structured self study programme.

Wednesday 30 January at Westerham Hall starting at 8.00 pm
'A Glimpse of Beekeeping in Australia' by Nick Withers, followed by discussion and refreshments

Wednesday 27 February at Westerham Hall starting at 8.00 pm
'Collecting and Hiving Swarms'
This meeting will include a 20 min video produced by Geoff Close featuring Nick Withers describing how to hive a well established wild swarm.
Members will be invited to make short presentations describing their own experience when collecting a swarm.
Advice will be given on when not to volunteer to collect a swarm, as well as on the procedure when a swarm is to be retrieved.

Wednesday 26 March at Westerham Hall starting at 8.00 pm
The Control of Swarming’ by Terry Clare from Rochester, followed by discussion and refreshments.

Directions for Westerham Hall: From the A 25 in the centre of Westerham(by the Green) take the London Road towards Biggin Hill; turn first right into Quebec Avenue; the car park and Westerham Hall is on the right hand side. OS Ref: 447542

Friday 11 April Bee health inspections
Bee Health Inspectors will call on members whose colonies were not inspected in 2007, and any members with particular bee health concerns following the early spring inspections. I will be inviting requests a little nearer the time, for your apiary to be included in the tour.

Saturday 10th May 2.30 pm
At John and Margaret Williams’ home apiary at 132 Sutherland Avenue, Biggin Hill. Demonstration and discussion led by Jim Grierson from Cudham.
Directions: Travelling north from Westerham on the A233, go past the x roads at Westerham Heights Garden Centre for 1 mile and turn 1st left into St Winifred’s Road;  turn left into Lotus Road and right into Belvedere Road; 132 is on the corner of Belvedere and Sutherland. OS Ref: 425581

Sunday 8 June 2.30 pm
At Diana Pickard’s apiary at The Quornden Wood Cottage, Emmetts Lane, Ide Hill. Demonstration and discussion led by Bob Smith from Rochester.
Directions: Travelling on the road from Brasted towards Toys Hill take the first left turn (about 2.5 miles from Brasted) towards Ide Hill. After 0.75 miles turn left into a private drive, and follow the road to the last house. Travelling from Four Elms, take the first right turn towards Ide Hill, after the Fox and Hounds in Toys Hill. (OS Ref: 475530)

Sunday 24 August 2.30 pm
At Mark Dunn’s out apiary on the heather at Ashdown Forest. Demonstration and discussion led by Mark and Nick Withers.
Directions: We plan to take a few cars full of passengers and detailed directions will be available nearer the date of the meeting.

July and September
As yet no meetings have been arranged for July and September.

Other Local Summer Events
Geoff and Ann Close will be arranging a beekeeping display with live bees in an observation hive as well as honey sales, at local events. Your help to set up and, or to help on the day for an hour or two, for the event in your locality, would be most welcome. You may wish to sell some of your honey on the stand. Please let Geoff or Ann know if you can help, or would like more information. (Tel: 01959 572729)

The following events are likely and the dates will be confirmed later:
Edenbridge Festival 2008, Four Elms Church, Limpsfield Church Fete, Biggin Hill Festival 2008, Crockham Hill Church Fete.

Download 2008 Programme in PDF Format for easier printing [17KB PDF]

Contacts:

Secretary:    John Williams    01959 572124
Treasurer:    James Cash    01732 866218