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SomersetBeekeepers’Association

NEWSLETTEROctober2017no.131

PleasesendanycopyfortheJanuary2018editiontomeby15thDecember.Email:friend.elizabeth@gmail.com.

LetterfromtheChairman.

Itfeelslikesthesummerhasgoneinaflash–partlybecauseofthelacklustreweatherbutalsobecausealothasbeengoingonbehindthescenesinSBKA.

OurbeautifulandinformativenewwebsiteisliveandIhopeyouenjoyusingitanddiscoveringmoreaboutSBKAandyourownDivision.ThedesignandfunctionalityhasbeendrivenbyhowMembersandthepublicwanttoaccessinformation;nowthesiteworksjustaswellwhetheryou’reusingaPC,tabletormobile.Therearelotsofnewfeatures

includingafullyintegratedcalendar,photogalleryandMembers’blogsand,forthefirsttime,theDivisions’pagesareautonomous.Naturallytherewillbeafewteethingproblems,soifyouspotanyerrorsorproblems,pleaseusethesite’sContactUspagetoreportproblemstoournewwebmaster,NeilCook.And,ofcourse,I’dliketothankNeil(aYeovilmember)forputtinginanincredibleamountofworktocreateandpopulatethenewsitewhichIbelieveisthebestAssociationwebsiteintheUK.

InthenextfewweekstheExecutivewillmeettodiscussotherwaysinwhichSBKAcanmeetthechallengesofthetimesandfurtherengagewiththepublicasrequestedbyDivisions’delegatesatourrecentCouncilmeeting.

HoneyShows-whiletheshowsarepopularwiththepublic,relativelyfewMembersenterthecompetitions.Canwelearnanyusefullessonsfromthemostsuccessful?

EFB-thisyearSomersethasthedubioushonourofbeingthenumberonecountyforEFB,accordingtoBeeBase.CanwerisetothechallengelaiddownbytheNBU’sGilesBurge,ourSpecialLecturespeaker,whosaidwecoulderadicateEFBwiththerightmeasures?

PartnershipwithFerneAnimalSanctuarynearChard-thissummerFerneinvitedSBKAtoexplorewaysinwhichwemightworktogether.Afewofus,includingSouthWestChairmanRobertKemp,spentseveralhourswithDirector(andbeekeeper)ElaineHayeswalkingaroundthesite.NowweneedtolookathowwecandevelopapartnershipinlinewithouraimsandobjectivesandthatworksforFerne,too.

And,finally,whatabeekeepingyear!I’veheardreportsthattheharvestisoneoftheworstforyearswithtotalsdownbetweenhalfandtwothirdsonlastyear.Ihopeyouhavemanagedtopullyourcoloniesthroughthedifficultseasonandthatyouareoneoftheluckyones–Imetonebeekeeperwhohascropped800lbfrom20colonies!

AnnePikechairman@somersetbeekeepers.org.uk

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FORTHCOMINGEVENTSExmoorBeekeepershosttheir6thAnnualHoneyShowofthemoderneraattheTitheBarninDunster,TA246RY,onSaturday7thOctober2017.

YouaremostwelcometoenterlotsofclassesandcomealongandenjoyadayoutinthebeautifulhistoricvillageofDunsterinWestSomerset.Entryisfree.

Wehave28classesmadeupofnovice,openandall-comers.PleaselookontheSBKAand/orExmoorBKAwebsitesfordetails.

At10:30am,ClareDensleyfromBuckfastiscomingtotalktobeekeepersinthemorningwhilstSuzyPerkinsundertakesthetaskofjudging.

Throughouttheday,tea,coffeeandcakes,willofcoursebeavailableaswillalightlunch.

From12.30until4.30thegeneralpublic,particularlyfamiliesandchildren,areinvitedtojointhebeekeeperstoadmirealltheentries;tobrowseoureducationcornerwhereexperiencedbeekeeperswillbeonhandtoanswerquestions;toenjoyvariousbee-relatedactivitiesforthechildren,particularlyfacepainting;andtowanderaroundseveralstallswithaneyetoChristmaspresents.

Itisafundayoutandintendedprimarilytoencouragebeekeeperstopartakeandthepublictobecomemoreawareoftheimportanceofbeestoourhumanworld.

SouthEastDivisionHoneyShowwillbeheldatMarketHouse,LowerWoodcockSt,CastleCaryBA77BH

Sat14thOct10:30am-1:00pmWewillbeholdingourannualHoneyShowforthefirsttimeinCastleCaryMarketHouse.Themove,fromCharltonMusgrove,isinordertomaketheHoneyShowaneventforallthefamilywherewecanshowthepublicwhatwedoandsothatpeopleofallagescanlearnaboutbeesandbeekeeping.

Therewillbeaschoolartcompetitionandentrieswillbeexhibitedontheday.Aswellasprizesawardedbyajudge,thepublicwillbeaskedtovoteforthepicture,whichtheylikebest.TheAssociation’shoneyshowhasclassesforvariouskinds ofhoneyandwaxandcraftproductsanditems.Therewillbehoneytotasteandbuy,displaysofbeekeepingequipment,andteasandcoffees.FurtherinformationfromLesKimberleyon07855899257.

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THENATIONALHONEYSHOW

Thursday16thOctober–Saturday28thOctoberAtSandownRacecourseKT109AS

Competitiveentryformsaredueby9thOctober.Furtherinformationisonthewebsitehttp://www.honeyshow.co.uk/competitive-classes.phpandentryformsathttp://www.honeyshow.co.uk/download-schedule.php

ThemainlectureprogrammeforthisyearincludeslecturesbyTomSeeley,HeatherMattila,KimFlottum,WillSteynorandPeterTomkins.OnSaturdaythereisalectureprogrammespecificallyforbeginnerswithlecturesbyRogerPatterson,MegSeymour,PatLehainandDaisy.“

Pleasenote:Apparently,it’sbesttousethepostcodeKT109RTratherthantheoneabove.

SomersetBeekeepersAnnualLunch15Ocotber2017I am pleased to see we are already getting a lot of bookings for the County Lunch again this year especially as space is limited and we did reach capacity numbers last year.

The date is Sunday 15th October arrival from 12-30 to sit down and eat at 1pm at Long Sutton Golf club, Long Sutton, TA10 9JU

The lunch is two courses, a Carvery with up to 4 meats and a choice of deserts. There is a vegetarian option available on the day. The total cost will be £13.50. Tea or coffee can be purchased individually after the meal if you wish.

I do hope you can join us this year. They have said they can only cater for fifty and we nearly exceeded that number last year, so to avoid disappointment please book early.

Please send me your bookings (and the numbers who would like the vegetarian option) along with cheque as soon as possible made payable to Somerset Beekeepers. The latest date for receipt of booking is Friday 7th October subject

to space availability.

Suzy Perkins, Tengore House, Tengore Lane, Langport, Somerset, TA10 9JL Tel: 01458 250 095 Email: apicrepe.tengore@talktalk.net

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SBKAmembersareinvitedtoaJointMeetingwithEastDevonBKAThursday11thJanuary2018

at7.30pmRogerPattersonwillbetalkingon

‘DeadBeesDon'tBuzz-SurvivingtheWinter’TobeheldatWhitchurchCanonicorumVillageHall

NrBridport,Dorset,DT66RF

SBKALectureDaySaturday17February2018

9.00am-5.00pmatEdgarHall,8CaryCourt,SomertonBusinessPark,

SomertonTA116SB

Ticketswillbeavailablefromdivisionalsecretariespriced£5toincluderefreshments.Pleasebringapackedlunch.

Programme9.00am Coffee9.30am OpeningbyKenTredgett,PresidentoftheSBKA9.35am “QueenRearing”-GedMarshall10.40am “Pollen”-MichaelKeith-Lucas11.40am coffee12.10pm “VarroaTreatments”-JeremyOwenofVita(Europe)Ltd1.10pm LunchSimonJonesRBIwillbeavailableduringlunchtohelpwithanyqueriesaboutbeediseases2.20pm Thanksandpresentations2.30pm “Theyearinthelifeofabeefarmer”-GedMarshall3.30pmRaffleandtea4.00pm “Theevolutionofplantsandinsects“-PamHunter5.00pm Close

BBKASpringConvention2018NextyearsconventionwillbeheldonFriday13thApriltoSunday15thApril2018atHarperAdamsUniversity,Newport,TF108NBAccordingtotheBBKAwebsite,programmeandticketpriceswillbeavailablenearerthetime.

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SBKASpecialLecture25April2018

atEdgarHall8CaryCourt,SomertonBusinessPark,TA116SBMargaretThomas,CSP,NDBwillbespeakingonthesubjectof

“SwarmControlfortheBusyBeekeeper”.BiographicaldetailstakenfromtheNDBwebsite:MargaretThomaslivedinEssexwheresheandherhusbandDicklearnttheirbeekeepinginthe1970sunderthetutelageofTedHooperCountyBeekeepingInstructoratWrittleAgriculturalCollege.SheretiredtoScotlandin2009.DuringthetimespentinEssexshepassedherBBKAexaminationstobecomeaMasterBeekeeperandthenwentontogetherNDBin1982.ShethenjoinedtheNDBtutorteamfortheweeks’residentialcourseheldatthetimeatSparsholtandlateratYork.

AtTedHooper’sretirementshejoinedthegroupofsome12beekeepersledbyClivedeBruyn(thenewlyappointedCBI)discussingvaryingtopicsandculminatedinatwoweekstaywithqueenrearerJohnKeefusinToulouse,France.Thegroupspentthetimegrafting(withadaptedmatchsticks),makingfondant,fillingmininucs,puttingthemoutformatingandplacingmatedqueensintravelcagesreadyforthepost.

Duringthe39yearsinEssexMargaretwasanactivememberoftheEssexBeekeepersandservedontheCECasSouthendDelegate,Disease,andExaminationsDelegate,managedtheEssexHoney(Barleylands)ShowforacoupleofyearsandwasawardedLifeMembershipoftheEssexBeekeepersin2010.

SheisoneoftheModeratorsoftheBBKAExaminationsBoardandalsotutorsfortheBBKACorrespondenceCourse.

SheisaretiredBeeFarmer–theBFAthatrepresentscommercialbeekeepersinUK,andduringthattimemanagedbetween40to60colonies.AsabeefarmersheservedonthecommitteeasMagazine,Pesticides,MinutesandPollinationsecretary,thelattermanagingplacingaround1000hivesinKentontopfruit,somehivesonborageandoilseedrapenorthoftheThames.RepresentingtheBFAshejoinedaresearchgroupasthebeekeeperprovidingthecoloniesforaprojectonpyrrolizidinealkaloidsinragwortandboragehoney.ShewasawardedLifeMembershipoftheBFA.DicktookovereditingtheBeefarmersBulletinforsomeyears.

MargarethasgivenlecturesinanumberofcountiesinEngland,Scotland,Ulsterandalsobeenguestlectureranumberoftimesattheweeks’courseatGormanstonjustnorthofDublin.Shehasbeentheweeks’tourlecturerforScotlandtwice.

SheisnowacommitteememberoftheScottishBeekeepersAssociation,whereherbriefisallsubjectsrelatedtohiveproducts.Beekeepingasanamateurwithalimitednumberofcoloniesinafickleclimateisanewchallenge.Shecontinuestoteachbeekeeping.

SheupdatedTedHoopersGuidetoBeesandHoneyandtheBeginnersBeeBook.MargaretiscurrentlythesecretarytotheNDBBoard.

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PASTEVENTS

THECOUNTYHONEYSHOWandTauntonHoneyShow

TauntonbeekeepersJennyandSidGammonscoopedtheblueribbonforthebestexhibitattheTauntonandSomersethoneyshowheldatTauntonFlowerShowwiththeirexceptionalsoftsethoney.JennyandSidwerealsoawardedthreetrophiesfortheirhiveproductsincludingprize-winninghoney,waxflowersandcandles.DavidPearceandGrahamWelfarewereawardedfourtrophieseachwhileRosemaryandEleanorBurgesswonthree.

FortyclassesattractedentriesfromTauntonDivisionaswellasExmoor,SomertonandDevonandwereviewedbymanythousandsofpeoplewhovisitedthetwo-dayshow.PeterMaben,ChairmanofTauntonBeekeepers,said:“Theshowisagreatshopwindowforbeesandhoney,providingvisitorswithplentytoseeanddoaswellasshowingtheenthusiasmandpassionoflocalbeekeepers.”

KenTredgett,PresidentofSomersetBeekeepers,addedhewasdelightedtoseesomanyvisitorsswarmtothefeatureandhopedtheywouldleavewithaloveofbees,adesiretoplantforpollinatorsandanappreciationoftheworkthatgoesintoproducingeverypotofhoney.

TheBlueRibbonforthebestexhibitinShowinthejudges’opinion:JennyandSidGammonCountyCups:JubileeCup-Mostpointsinclasses1-18inclusive:D.Pearce;MissM.DBindleyCup-Winnerclass2MediumHoney:S.Perkins;TerryArnoldPerpetualChallengeTrophy:Winnerclasses18-22incl.TheDuffinChallengeTrophy:(CakeofBeeswax)Winnerclass12R&EBurgess;

TheCliffordLangfordAwardforMead:Winnermostpointsin classes8–9:G.Welfare.

JennyGammonreceivedtheBlueRibbonawardfromKenTredgett

Schoolentry

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ReportfollowingCentralDivision'sHoneyShowintheBeeandHoneyTentattheMid-SomersetShow.

WearefortunatetobeabletoholdourHoneyShowattheprestigiousonedayMid-SomersetShow.Thisyear’sshowonSunday20AugustwasagreatsuccessandourBeeandHoneytenthadaveryhighfootfallfortheentireday.Theteamofvolunteersthatmannedthetent

throughoutthedaywasveryablyleadbyElaineCulley.Itisalwaysabrilliantopportunitytoshowcasethehoneybeeandbeekeepingandtherewasagreatdealofinterestinthedisplaysandthehoneyandwaxproducts.Thedemonstrationhiveandwaxcandlerollingwereverypopularandmemberswereon-handtoanswerthemanyandvariedquestionsfrommembersofthepublic.Althoughthenumberofentriesforthehoneyshowwasdownthisyear,salesofhoneyandrelatedproductswerebrisk.

JustareminderthattheSBKAAGMison10thMarch2018

hostedbyWedmoreandCheddarDivision.Itwillbeheldat

theIsleofWedmoregolfcourse,LascotHill,BS284QTFurtherdetailswillbecirculatednearerthetime

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ALLABOUTBEES

SOMERSETHONEYSURVEY Wewouldliketoknowaboutyourhoneycrop!AnaccuratepictureoftheharvestgivesusanopportunitytolocalisetheBBKAhoneysurveyworksowecantalktothepressandourMPsaboutthestateofourapiariesandif,say,ahusbandryfactoryisidentified,takestepstosupportimprovement.

Pleasespareafewminutesandletusknow: 1. Quantityofhoneypercolony 2. Howdoesthiscomparewithlastyear 3. RoughsplitbetweenSpringandSummerhoney 4. Yourexplanationforwhythecropwasupordownonthepreviousyear 5. Andyournameandlocation EmailAnnePikechairman@somersetbeekeepers.org.uk

HornetAlert

Everyoneshould,bynow,havebeencontactedaboutthediscoveryoftheAsianHornetinNorthDevonandbeawareoftheneedtokeepalook-outintheirareaandtoputuptraps.TheNBUhasalsonotifiedeveryoneontheirdatabase.

Ifyouarenotregisteredwiththempleaseconsiderdoingsoinorderforthemtobeabletocontactapiariesinanyinfectedarea.Theirwebsiteiswww.nationalbeeunit.comE:nbuoffice@apha.gsi.gov.ukor,T:03003030094

Bulbs.Readthisbeforeyoubuy!ExtractfromTheGuardian30September2017

Recentarticlesinthenewspapershavedrawnattentiontothefactthatmanybulbsaresprayedwithpesticidesandfungicides.Neonicotinoidsareusedasaflowerbulbdrenchtokeepaphidsandothersap-suckinginsectsoffplants,andarecommonpesticidesinthebulbindustry.Thehalf-lifeofneonicotinoidsisestimatedsomewherebetween34daysandthreeyearsastheybreakdowninthesoil;itisnotonlyflyinginsectsthatareaffectedduringthattime,butbacteria,amoebae,wormsandinsectsinthesoil,too.Everybeethatvisitsyourbloom,everywormthattunnelsaroundyourbulbs,istastingatinybitofpoison.Thesolutionisnottogiveupplantingbulbs,buttobuysustainablyandnaturallyproducedones.Sitesmentionedwhichsellorganicbulbsincludewww.organiccataogue.co.uk,www.crocus.co.ukandwww.naturalbulbs.nl

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NEWSFROMTHEDIVISIONSEd.It’ssomewhatdisappointingthatmoredivisionsdon’ttelluswhatthey’vebeendoingbutit’suptoyou!!Youmightnotthinkthatyouhavemuchtosaybuthaveyouhadanygoodspeakersthatyoucanrecommend,haveyouthoughtofnewideasthatmayimproveyourinteractionwithschoolsorwiththepublic.Haveyoujustgotagoodrecipeforahoneycake!!TheSBKAdoesnotworkifit’ssimplyacollectionofdivisionsdoingtheirownthing.Weneedtoworktogether.It’sjustmyopinionandyoumightdisagreebutifyoudohaveanythingofinterestforthenextedition,thenpleaseletmeknow.CentralThisyear,CentralDivisionistoholdadditionaldivisionalmeetingsoverthewintermonths.Topicstobecoveredwillinclude:candlemaking,sellinghoney,waxandotherhiveproductsandpreparingexhibitsforshowing.Theconfirmeddateswillbepublishedonthewebsite.Therehasbeenalotofinterestshowninour2018BeekeepingforBeginners’Course,whichstartsinFebruary2018,withalreadyaconfirmedtake-upofoverhalftheavailableplaces.ForSaleASAFNaturaStainlessSteelmotorised9-frameradialextractor,withanewmotorandcontrolboxfittedthisyear.Ithashadverylittleuse,cost£800andisforsaleat£300.Thisisarareopportunitytoobtainanelectricextractorforyourdivision.ContactChrisiKennedyon07710252155oratckennedy@projectconsultants.co.uk

TauntonExtractionday.OneofthehighlightsoftheTauntonseasonisextractiondaywhenmanyofourbeginnersspendthedaywithDavidPearceathisverywellequippedpremises.Thisseasonourteachingapiaryhas16coloniesandtheyproducedatotalof330lbs;twothirdsoftheframeshadtobecutoutbecausethehoneyhadgranulatedandonlyafewcombsweresuitableforcutcomb.

WedmoreandCheddarWe’vehadagoodseriesofaroundMyHivemeetingsandamixedresultintermsofhoneyanddiseases.Somepeoplehavehadexcellenthoneycropsandsomehavebeenalotdownonpreviousyears.Somuchseemstodependonspecificlocationswithinthearea.Varrroahasbeenaproblem.ThosepeopleusingicingsugardoseemtohavecomeoffbetterandsomeofusdoquestiontheefficacyofMAQSstrips.Itwouldbeinterestingtohavesomefeedbackonthisfromotherdivisions.