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SomersetBeekeepers’Association
NEWSLETTEROctober2018no.134
PleasesendanycopyfortheJanuary2019editiontomeby15thDecember.Email:[email protected].
LetterfromtheChairman.
Lookingbackonthisseasontwothemeshavedominatedbeekeepingtalk–theweatherandAsianhornets.Thecoldestwinterforyearsfollowedbythehottestsummersincerecordsbeganhascertainlygivenusplentytocontendwith;Ihopeyourcoloniessurvivedthefreezingconditionsandcapitalisedonspring,summerandevenSeptembernectarflows.Tohelpusgetabetterpictureofwhat’sbeengoingon,whichwillguideusinhowwecansupportyoumore,weinviteyouto
takepartinaninformalhoneyandcolonysurvey(seepagex).AtthetimeofwritingtherehavebeenanumberofunconfirmedreportsofAsianhornetsinthecountywhilethreenestshavebeendiscoveredanddestroyedinEngland.InJerseybeekeepersmustfeeltheyarefightingalosingbattleasmoreandmoreAsianhornetnestsarediscovered,whileinFranceandelsewhereinEuropethisnon-nativeandhighlyinvasivespecieshasclaimednotjustthelivesofinsectsbutisresponsibleforagrowingnumberofhumandeaths,too.SBKAhasbeenhelpingeveryonetoconfidentlyidentifyAsianhornetsaswellasmonitoractivityinapiariesandnearautumninsect-attractingfloweringplantslikeivy.Throughourwebsite,Facebookgroup,printedIDcardsandleafletsdistributedthroughDivisions,andthemedia,thereisalotofreferencematerialwhichwehopeishelpful.Also,wehavesetupanAsianHornetActionTeamtoassistwithidentificationandsupportthebeeinspectorswhentheyaredeployed.LynneIngramistheco-ordinatorofthecounty-wideteammadeupofamemberfromeachoftheDivisions;laterDivisionsmaywishtodeveloptheirownactionteams.LynnevisitedJerseyattheendofAugusttohelpbeekeeperstrackAsianhornetsbacktotheirnestsandispassionateabouttheneedforustobeprepared.(CheckourwebsiteforLynne’saccountsoftrackingAsianhornets).AsyourchairmanIhavewrittentoourfiveMPstodrawtheirattentiontotheUK’sfirstAsianhornetweekandseektheirsupport.IfAsianhornetsbecomeestablishedhereIfearthegovernmentwillwithdrawfundingtotrackanddestroynestsandtheresponsibility(andcost)willbepassedtothehome/landownerleadingtoarapidproliferationofnumbers.WemustkeepourMPs,localcouncilsandthecommunityonboardifwearetosucceedinrepelling/managingthismassivethreattoourhoneybeesandwildlife.AnnePikechairman@somersetbeekeepers.org.uk
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FORTHCOMINGEVENTSExmoorBeekeepershosttheir7thAnnualHoneyShowofthemoderneraattheTitheBarninDunster,TA246RY,onSaturday7thOctober2017.
YouaremostwelcometoenterlotsofclassesandcomealongandenjoyadayoutinthebeautifulhistoricvillageofDunsterinWestSomerset.Entryisfree.Wehave29classesmadeupofnovice,openandall-comers.PleaselookontheSBKAand/orExmoorBKAwebsitesfordetails.
Inthemorning,MikeBadgerMBE,beeexpertandauthor,iscomingtotalkaboutmeadmakingtobeekeeperswhilstSuzyPerkinsundertakesthetaskofjudging.Throughouttheday,tea,coffeeandcakes,willofcoursebeavailable.From12.30until4.00pmthegeneralpublic,particularlyfamiliesandchildren,areinvitedtojointhebeekeeperstoadmirealltheentries;tobrowseoureducationcornerwhereexperiencedbeekeeperswillbeonhandtoanswerquestions;toenjoyvariousbee-relatedactivitiesforthechildren,particularlyfacepainting;andtowanderaroundseveralstallswithaneyetoChristmaspresents.Itisafundayoutandintendedprimarilytoencouragebeekeeperstopartakeandthepublictobecomemoreawareoftheimportanceofbeestoourhumanworld.
THE87thNATIONALHONEYSHOWThursday25thOctober–Saturday27thOctober
AtSandownParkRacecourseKT109RTDetailsareonthehoneyshowwebsite:www.honeyshow.co.uk
ThemainlectureprogrammethisyearwillfeatureMichaelSmith,winnerofthelgNobelPrizeforhisabilitytomakepeoplelaugh;andClarenceCollison,authorofthebook,"WhatDoYouKnow"andcurrentauthoroftheBeeCulturemagazinecolumn"ACloserLook”.TheBeginnersProgrammelastyearwasatremendoussuccessandwe’rehopingtobuildonthatthisyearwithaninspiringprogrammedeliveredbyLynfaDavies(WelshBeekeepers),AnneRowberry(AvonBeekeepers),BobSmith(KentBeekeepers)andRogerPatterson(SussexBeekeepers)
TherewillalsobetheusualFriday“BeeCraft”lectures.Forthosewhocan’tgettotheshow,previouslecturescanbeviewedontheNationalHoneyShow
websiteviaYouTube.
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Somerset Beekeepers Annual Lunch 2018 Please join us again this year for our annual county lunch. The date is Sunday 14th 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, but if you could indicate when booking if you require the vegetarian option that would be appreciated. The total cost will be £14.00. 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 too 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 Monday 8th October subject
to space availability. Suzy Perkins Tengore House, Tengore Lane, Langport, Somerset, TA10 9JL Tel: 01458 250 095 Email: [email protected]
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SBKALectureDaySaturday16February2019
9.00am-5.00pmatEdgarHall,8CaryCourt,SomertonBusinessPark,
SomertonTA116SB
Tickets:Ticketscost£5andincludelightrefreshmentsbutnotlunch.TheyareavailablefromDivisionalSecretariesorbychequefromSBKATreasurerMrsC.Kennedy,Allways,WestShepton,SheptonMallet,BA45UHAndonline(plus83pbookingfee)throughEventbritehttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/annual-lecture-tickets-50528676632or via the website www.somersetbeekeepers.org.ukProgrammefortheday:9.00amCoffee9.30amOpeningbyKenTredgett,SBKAPresident9.35amPauloMielgoVita(Europe)Ltd;Varroa10.40amProf.StephenMartin;Deformedwingvirusupdate11.40amCoffee12.10pmDerekMitchell;Oldsaws–mythsandphysicsofhives1.10pmLunchSimonJonesRBIandhisteamwillbeavailabletohelpwithyourqueriesaboutbeediseases2.20pmThanksandpresentations2.30pmClareDensley;RomancingtheHoneyBee3.30pmRaffleandtea4.00pmProf.StephenMartin;AsianHornets5.00pmCLOSESpeakers:Prof.StephenMartin
Stephenhasstudiedsocialinsects(bees,wasps,termitesandants)formostofhiscareer.Histwoareasofspecialisationarethe‘pestanddiseasesofhoneybees’and‘chemicalecologyofants’.HeholdsaChairinSocialEntomologyintheSchoolofEnvironmentalandLifeSciencesatSalfordUniversity,Manchester.Priortothathespent12yearsworkingatSheffieldUniversity,7yearswiththeNationalBeeUnitand7yearsinJapanconductingresearchintohornets.
StephenisbestknownforhisworkontheVarroamiteanditsassociationwithviruses,especiallytheDeformedWingVirus.HisteamofresearchersatSalford,fundedinpartbybeekeepers,areusingtheverylatestmolecularmethodstoreadthegeneticcodeoftheDWVvirus.TheaimistounderstandwhysomehoneybeecolonieshavebecomenaturallytoleranttoVarroaandseeifthisinformationcan
providebeekeeperswithalong-termsolutiontotheproblem.
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DerekMitchellDerekisaresearcherintothedifferencesinheattransferbetweenmanmadeandnaturalhoneybeenestsatLeedsUniversitySchoolofMechanicalEngineering.
Derek’sfascinationwithhoneybeesoverthelast7years,isthatthedeeperyoudelveintohowtheyexploitthephysicsofheat,themoreimpressivethefeatsofhoneybeesbecomes.
ClareDensley
Ihavekeptbeessince1992.Whenin2008IgotthechancetobecomeanassistantbeekeeperatBuckfastAbbeyIthoughtthatIhaddiedandgonetoheaven.Ialsoworkedasaseasonalbeeinspectorfor2yearsalongsidelookingaftertheAbbeybees.In2010wecutdownthenumberofhivesfrom400toaround30orso.Thehoneytheyproducegoestothemonks.Weruncourses,hostvisits,runacommunityapiary,andengageinsomemodestresearch.Ourphilosophyisthatofgentleandintelligentbeekeeping;understandingthecolonyasasuperorganismandworkingwiththemasmuchaspossible.Wedon’tbreedthe“Buckfastbee”hereanymore.Iamhappyworkingwithmongrelsalthoughwedorearourownqueensandrunqueenrearingcourses
annually.MyidealbeeismoremodestthenBrAdam’sarchetypalmodel.Ipreferamoreself-sufficientcolonywhichiseasyenoughtohandlebutlessrefinedthanmanyofthecommerciallybredsubspecies.
“RomancingtheHoneybee”isatalkwhichexaminestheroleofBrAdamasacelebritybeekeeperandcompareshisworkandphilosophywiththecurrentbeekeepingpracticesattheAbbey.Itramblesontolookatwhyhoneybeeshavebecomecelebritiesoftheinsectworldandhowthisisreflectedinmythology,artandreligion.Thenwelookatscienceandhowresearchhasinformedusabouthowhoneybeesreallyfunctionandkeepstrong.Iaminterestedinouremotionalandcommercialrelationshipwithbees.Thefinalsectionthrowsopentodiscussionhowwemightworkwiththebeestoresolvesomeoftheproblemswehavepresentedthemwithoverthelastcentury.
PauloMielgo,VitaBeeHealth’stechnicalmanager,hasbeekeepinginhisblood!HissurnameissimilartotheSpanishwordforhoney(miel)andhisfatherhasmanaged700hivesinArgentina.
AftergainingadegreefromaveterinarycollegeinArgentina,PauloworkedinmanycountriesincludingItalyandSouthAmericaandpreviouslyworkedforVita’sSouthAmericanpartner,Apilab.Hiscurrentroleinvolvesworkingwithresearchersanduniversitiestohelpdevelopnewhoneybeehealthandnutritionproducts.Vita
researches,develops,manufacturersandmarketsarangeofhoneybeehealthtreatments.
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SBKAAnnualGeneralMeeting
TheAGMison16thMarch2019
hostedbyQuantockDivision.Itwillbeheldat
theEnmoreParkGolfClub,EnmoreRoad,Enmore,Bridgwater,TA52AN
Furtherdetailswillbecirculatednearerthetime.ThespeakerwillbeChrisPark,theSkepBeekeeper.
InanarticlepublishedonDaveCushman’ssitehttp://www.dave-cushman.net,hesays“Naturalbeekeepinggroups,trustsandsocietiesareproliferatingasoneofthemanyresponsestorecentandcurrentproblemswithbeekeepingpractices,pestsanddiseases.Hence,keepinghoneybeesinskepsisrecentlyreceivinginterestfromthoseseekingnewsolutions,oldwaysornaturalinspirations.Ithasalwaysbeenofinteresttothosewithaninterestinthehistoryandtheheritageofhoney,andnowitisfascinatingfolkwithaninterestintheresilienceofancient
technologies,thesimplicityofnaturalandlocallysourcedmaterialsandfromthoselookingforamorebeecenteredapproach
BBKASpringConvention2019
WilltakeplaceonFriday12thApriltoSunday14thApril2019
atHarperAdamsUniversity,Newport,TF108NBAccordingtotheBBKAwebsite,ticketswillbeavailableinJanuary2019
SBKASpecialLecture24April2019
atEdgarHall,8CaryCourt,SomertonBusinessPark,TA116SB
Speakertobedecided–furtherdetailswillbesentoutwhenavailable.
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PASTEVENTS
THESPECIALLECTUREheldon25thAprilwaswellattended.Thespeaker,MargaretThomas,offeredplentyoftimelyandpracticaladvice.Ourthankstoherforanexcellenttalk.THECOUNTYHONEYSHOWandTauntonHoneyShow
ChristineandMarkGullick,whobelongtoBurnhamdivision,wontheblueribbonforthebestexhibitattheTauntonandSomersethoneyshowheldthisyear.Christinesaid:“Winningthistrophyiswonderful-especiallyasitwasawardedonmybirthday!It’sgreattogetrecognitionfromthejudgesandmakesmefeelbetteraboutalltheworkthatgoesintolookingafterthebeesandpreparingtheentriesfortheShow.”TauntonbeekeepersJennyandSidGammonwere
presentedwiththreetrophiesincludingtheTauntonPerpetualChallengeTrophyawardedtothelocalmembertogainthemostpoints.Showsuccesswasparticularpoignantlyforthecouplewhohavedecidedtogiveupbeekeepingafter33years.Jennysaid:“We’regivingupthebeesbutIhaveplentyofhoneyandwaxreadytoentertheshowagainnextyear.”
PeterMaben,ChairmanofTauntonBeekeepers,saidthetwo-dayshowhadattractedmanythousandsofvisitorsand15percentmoreexhibitsthanusualfromalloverthecounty.“Itseemsthateveryoneistalkingaboutbees!”hesaid.“There’ssomuchinterestinthehealthandwelfareofbeesandpollinatorsgenerallythatourmarqueewasliterallybuzzingwithpeopletalkingtousabouthoneybees.”2018SomersetHoneyShowresults:TheBlueRibbonforthebestexhibitinShow–Christine&MarkGuillickTaunton–trophies,cups&awards:TheTauntonPerpetualChallengeTrophy-Sid&JennyGammonThePriscottPerpetualSkepPlate-DavidPearceTheStokerPerpetualTrophy-Sid&JennyGammonThePatBarterTrophy-Sid&JennyGammonTheAndyColesMemorialTrophyforMead–jointlytoMaryAdamsandGrahamWelfareTheTomTuckerTrophyforCookery–MaryAdamsTheDownesPerpetualCup–jointlytoLyndsayStoneandGrahamWelfareTheGammonPerpetualTrophy–MikeShawTheTauntonHoneyShowPlate–MaggieNorthTheTauntonHoneyShowPerpetualTrophy-DavidPearceTheJohnSpillerMascot–AnnePikeSomersetCountyCups:JubileeCup–DavidPearceMissM.DBindleyCup–DavidPearceTerryArnoldPerpetualChallengeTrophy–MaryAdamsTheDuffinChallengeTrophy–Christine&MarkGuillickTheCliffordLangfordAwardforMead–jointlytoMaryAdamsandGrahamWelfare.
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HONEYFARMSAWARDNominationsfortheHoneyFarmsAwardshouldbesenttoKenTredgettbytheendofJanuary2019.Nominationssubmittedafterthatdatewillnotbeconsidered.ContactKenontredg@talktalk.netor013734647HONORARYMEMBERSHIP
PleasesendnominationsintotheSBKAsecretaryifyouhaveanymemberswhohavebeenbeekeepingforover30yearsandwishtobecomehonorarymembersoftheSBKA.SBKAYEARBOOK-areminderfromBridgetKnutson,YearBookeditor“IneedtheinformationfromDivisionsbythe30thNovember,ineitherWordofExcelformat.Ifitcomesasanythingelse,andneedsaltering,itwillbesentback.Youhavebeenwarned!”ROYALBATHANDWESTSHOWHelp is required on Sunday, May 27 to set up our popular bees and honey displays.Ifyoucanlendahand,[email protected]
ExamSecretary’sReport201815peopleapplytotaketheBasicexamthisyear,animprovementonpreviousyears.Iampleasedtosaythatall15havepassedit.CongratulationstoBryanGoodman(SW),JasmineLucas(T),AlanMiles(T),andSallyLye(S).FurtherCongratulationsgotothefollowing,whopassedtheBasicwithCredit.JaniceBramston(F),MichaelGee(F),AlisonHowell(F),RichardLyons(F),TabithaSudworth(F),RodneyWhite,(S),NickClarke(S),GavinStiggear(Q),CharlesSundquist(S),TomStanley(Q),andSharonHumby(S).Welldonetoallofyou.Takinganexamisadauntingprospect,particularlyifyouleftschoolafewyearsago,andhaven’tdoneonesince.
I’dalsoliketothanktheassessorsforgivinguptheirtime,withoutthem,itwouldbeverydifficulttodotheassessments,andtheExecutiveCommitteewhopassthepayments.Don’tforget,whenyoupassanassessmentinSomerset,yougetthesuccessfulattemptrefunded.Certificateswillfollowtobepresentedattheappropriateeventswithinyourdivisions.
Wealsohadsomesuccessesinthemoduleexams,congratulationstoDianeSleigh(F)CreditinModule6,FredClarke(S)andStewartGould(S)CreditinModule2.SimonMills(F)whogotaDistinctioninModule3,andaCreditinModule6.MaggieNorthtookandpassedherGeneralHusbandryandBridgetKnutsonalsotookandpassedherAdvancedHusbandry.
ThedatefortheNovemberModuleexamis10thNovember.Applicationstomeby30thSeptemberplease,andpaymentof£30,preferablytoBBKAdirect.TheMarchexamswillbeheldon23rdMarch2019.Pastpapersareavailablefromme,emailmetellingmewhatexamyouwanttosit,andIwillsendyoualinktoaccessthem. BridgetKnutson ExaminationsSecretary
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SBKABenefitsformembers:anotefromtheTreasurerIampleasedtoadviseyouthatCouncilagreedtoleavetheSBKAsubscriptionatthecurrentrateof£5.50perannum-sowhatdoyougetforyourmoney?YougetallthisforroughlythepriceofaCostacoffee!!!Education/Development:AnnualLectureDaywithtopicalspeakers(nominalfeeof£5tocoverrefreshments)SpecialLectureEvening-freeDevelopmentDayatcosttocoverspeakers-usuallylowcostaslocalbeeinspectors/speakersused.DiseaserecognitionDayatcosttocoverspeakers-usuallylowcostaslocalbeeinspectorsusedSupportwithBeekeepingexaminationsandrefundofcostsifyoupassMembersServicesincludingopportunitiestoexhibithoneyandbeeproductsAnnualGeneralmeetingwitharelevantspeaker(freetomembers)CountyHoneyShowandCountytrophiesawardedNationalHoneyShowBath&WestShowRoseBowlawardYearbookandnewslettersWebsiteandsocialmediacommunicationsCountyAdminandothersupportformembers/divisionsResearchintospecifictopicscurrentlyfocusedonAsianHornetsandEFB
ChrisiKennedy,TreasurerSeptember2018
SOMERSETHONEYSURVEY SBKAhasconductedaninformalannualhoneysurveyoverthelastfewyearsandwewouldbeverygratefulifyoucouldanswerthefollowingquestionsandemailyouranswers,andanythingelsewhichyouconsidernoteworthy,toAnnePikebymid-October [email protected] a. Howmanylbsofhoneydidyouharvestfromhowmanyhives;averageharvestpercolony?b. Isthisbetter/worse/thesameaslastyear?(!)c. Noteworthy?eghoney/colonieslosttowasps;excessiveswarmingetc.d. Doyouhavemoreorlesscoloniesthanattheendoftheseason? AnaccuratepictureoftheharvestgivesusanopportunitytolocalisetheBBKAhoneysurveyworksowecantalktothepressandourMPsaboutthestateofourapiariesandif,say,ahusbandryfactoryisidentified,takestepstosupportimprovement.
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ItemsfromtheCouncilmeetingheldon8thSeptember2018EuropeanFoulBrood.
AtthelastCouncilmeetingconcernwasexpressedaboutthefactthatSomersethasthehighestincidenceofEFBinthecountry.ItwasagreedthatwewouldhaveanEFBawarenessweeknextSpring(2019)totryandencouragebeekeepersrecognisethesignsandtoknowwhattodo.Furtherdetailswillbesentoutnearerthetimebutmemberswillbeencouragedtoattenddiseaserecognitiondaysandtotheninspecttheirbeesforsignsofdiseasewhentheyshould,hopefully,knowwhattolookfor.
Foulbrood(bothEuropeanandAmerican)isastatutorynotifiabledisease,andsobeekeepersarelegallyobligedtoreportanysuspecteddiseasedcoloniesundertheBeeDiseasesandPestsControlOrder2006(asamended).
ThisisdonebycontactingeithertheNBUoralocalbeeinspector.
RECOGNISINGFOULBROODTheNationalBeeUnitproducesanexcellentbrochureonEFBandAFB,includinghowtorecogniseit.Seewww.nationalbeeunit.com
BeeSafarisBeesafariswhenmembersofadivisionvisitseveralapiariesinthecompanyofabeeinspectorareanexcellentidea,notjusttocheckfordiseasebutalsotogetadvicefortheinspectorsaboutbestpractice.It’ssurprisinghowmanybeekeepersforgettheyshouldalwayshaveabucketofwashingsodasolutionhandyorarehappytomovesupersarounddifferenthives–boththingswhichincreasetheriskofspreadingdisease.RegistrationofBeekeepersAproposalwasalsoputforwardattheCouncilmeetingtocallfortheregistrationofbeekeepers.QuantockdivisionisrevisingthatproposalforpresentationatthenextCouncilmeetingandalldivisionshavebeenaskedtodiscussthisandsendtheirviewstothesecretary.AsianHornetActionTeamsTheChairmanhasalreadymentionedtheAHATs.PleasedocontinuetokeepaneyeoutforhornetsandkeepupthegoodworkdoneduringAsianHornetweektoeducatethepublicaboutthem.WewillneedmorethanjustbeekeeperstotakeactionwhentheyarriveintheUK.TogetfreesuppliesoflaminatedAsianhornetpostersforuseinlocalgardencentres,shops,noticeboards,sportsgrounds,districtcouncilsetc.contact:nnss@apha.gsi.gov.ukSafeguardingOfficerThesafe-guardingpolicywasacceptedatthelastCouncilmeetingandElaineCulleywasappointedtheSafe-guardingofficerfortheCounty.
TakenfromNBUleafletonEFB
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Andfinally……
Somegoodnewstoendwith
KenEdwardskindlysentmealinktoanarticlewhichwillappearinAsda’snewsletter.Itsays:“OurBridgwaterstore'scommunitychampionJoThextonenjoyedhelpingagroupoflocalbeekeeperssomuchthatshe'snowtheproudownerofherownbeehive.Jo,who'sbeencommunitychampionatthestoreforthreeyears,said:"Lastyearaswarmofbeeslandedonthesideofourstore,sosomeonefromQuantockBeekeepersAssociationcamealongandremovedthem.
"Itgotmeinterestedinbees,soIcontactedthisassociationtofindoutmore.KenandIgotchatting,andheinvitedmealongtoseehowIcouldhelpthemandhowtheycouldhelpme."Istartedvolunteeringthere,thoroughlyenjoyedit,andthenwenttotrainingsessionsonhowtokeepbees.Thisledtomegettingahoneybeehiveathome–soIcannowcallmyselfabeekeeper!"ThisthefirstyearI'vehadthem,andnextyearIplanongettingmyownhoneyfromthem."We'vealsostartedcollectingwastesugarfromthestoreanddonatingittothem.Sometimesthepacketsarespiltwhentheyarriveinstore,andsometimestherearespillagesontheshopfloor."Inthecoldweathertheirpriorityistolookafterthequeen.Buttheycan'tgooutandforage,soyouhavetoleavethemplentyofsyruptofeedthemselvesandtheirqueen.Theythenemergeinthespring."
Thegroupwererecentlyrunnersupinthestore'sGreenTokenGivingvote,andJopresentedthegroup'schairBarryHewlettwithachequefor£200whichwillgotowardsequipment.Kensaid:"We'reverygratefulforthesugarandforallofJo'ssupport.It'sbeengreattohaveheronboardandshe'sreallyembracedeverythingaboutbeekeeping."Shestartedcomingalongtooureveningclassesthenourteachingcentrelearningtheskillsneeded.Weletherhaveasmallbeehive,andshetookitfromthere.
"Thesugarthestoredonatedismixedwithwatersoit'slikeathicksyrup.Wefeedittothebeessoit'slikealow-gradehoneywhichsustainsthemthroughthewinter."END
