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Report from the branch meeting of 3rd January 2015
The branch meeting on 3rd January started in somewhat inclement weather. As we huddled in the meeting hut, our branch Secretary, Julie, gave a short presentation explaining the purpose of this...
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Uncle Drone’s reminder list for late winter activities
A beekeeper asks: Uncle Drone, I do not seem to be doing anything much with the bees this month – have I been missing something I ought to do? Uncle Drone answers: Well, this month and the next two are...
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Report from the branch meeting of 31 January 2015
On Saturday 31st January we had a very interesting talk on ‘Queen rearing for the small beekeeper’ from Terry Clare, a national authority on queen rearing and a past-president of BIBBA. His style of...
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Report from the branch meeting of 28 March 2015
Over 20 members attended our apiary at the University for the first open meeting of the year on 28th March.The day was overcast with a little misty drizzle, with a temperature of around 11C, so we went...
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Demonstration meeting on how to identify Nosema
Nosema identification on Saturday, 4th April, sponsored by BDI, was very enjoyable although the turnout was a little disappointing. Those present brought their own bees and were able to do a Nosema...
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Report from the branch meeting of 30 May 2015
Today’s meeting had possibly the highest number of attendees (human ones) ever. With lots of new people to involve, plus another group who are going for the Basic Assessment this year and wanted...
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Honey!
At a time of the year when many of us may be thinking hopefully of honey, the latest BeeCraft Hangout focussed on that topic. If you weren’t able to join the live online session yesterday (Wednesday,...
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Summer activities for everyone
Now that the sunshine and nectar flow seem to be established, and that long-lasting cold NE wind seems finally to have gone, most people’s colonies seem to be settling down. Our branch meeting last...
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Auntie Bee and Uncle Drone answer a query about suddenly finding many bees...
Hi Auntie Bee and Uncle Drone, I found a heap (hundreds rather than thousands) of dead and dying bees in front of a hive this morning. A couple of days ago a lot of yellow lumps of pollen had appeared...
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Branch update
Last week’s branch meeting was a multi-faceted one, with hive inspections, information exchange, sales, and demonstration + advice for honey creaming. It was also a time for congratulations, as Diane,...
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Membership of the branch – a new year starts
It’s the time of year when membership needs to be renewed and the form for this is attached both here and on our Facebook group. For anyone who is not currently keeping bees but would like to join the...
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Preparing for winter – removal of supers, and treatment
The most recent BeeCraft hangout was on this subject and the recording can be viewed/listened to here: Filed under: How to, Training & events Tagged: winter
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Report from the branch meeting of 26 September 2015
This afternoon’s meeting was well attended with around 18 members present, both to listen to a talk from Sue and Keith on the points to keep in mind when preparing entries for a honey show, and also to...
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Stop Press: Branch Honey Show and AGM dates to be changed
Due to various unavoidable absences it has been decided that our Honey Show and AGM will be postponed to a new date in November, which will be circulated very soon. In the meantime, for those branch...
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Autumn courses and workshops
Now that it’s the time of year when we’re not involved in so much hands-on stuff with our colonies, it’s a good time to consider taking a course, attending a workshop or a bigger event, in order to...
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Keeping the winter stores going – advice from Uncle Drone
‘Worried of Whitstable’ asks: Dear Auntie Bee and Uncle Drone My bees are still flying in all this mild weather and I’m worried that they’re using up their winter stores really fast at the moment....
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AGM and Honey Show, 14 November 2015
Our AGM, and the following Honey Show, made for an interesting afternoon, last weekend. At the AGM, it was clear that we have had a good year as a branch, as Julie’s ‘Secretary’s Report’ detailed, and...
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Winter tasks
Last month, the latest in the series of Google Hangouts organised by Bee Craft magazine focussed on beekeeping tasks in the wintertime. There were some really interesting discussions so please do have...
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End of the year
The final Newsletter of 2015 is downloadable here: WHBNewsletterDecember2015 The best wishes to all for the coming year and good health for all of our bees.Filed under: Monthly meeting, News - local,...
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Beekeeping and Children
There was a very interesting Bee Craft hangout in January, looking at involving children in beekeeping in safe and engaging ways. The recording is well worth a watch. Filed under: How to, Training...
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