somerset beekeepers association · assistant bee keeper at buckfast abbey i thought that i had died...

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1 Somerset BeekeepersAssociation NEWSLETTER October 2018 no.134 Please send any copy for the January 2019 edition to me by 15th December. Email: [email protected]. Letter from the Chairman. Looking back on this season two themes have dominated beekeeping talk – the weather and Asian hornets. The coldest winter for years followed by the hottest summer since records began has certainly given us plenty to contend with; I hope your colonies survived the freezing conditions and capitalised on spring, summer and even September nectar flows. To help us get a better picture of what’s been going on, which will guide us in how we can support you more, we invite you to take part in an informal honey and colony survey (see page x). At the time of writing there have been a number of unconfirmed reports of Asian hornets in the county while three nests have been discovered and destroyed in England. In Jersey beekeepers must feel they are fighting a losing battle as more and more Asian hornet nests are discovered, while in France and elsewhere in Europe this non-native and highly invasive species has claimed not just the lives of insects but is responsible for a growing number of human deaths, too. SBKA has been helping everyone to confidently identify Asian hornets as well as monitor activity in apiaries and near autumn insect-attracting flowering plants like ivy. Through our website, Facebook group, printed ID cards and leaflets distributed through Divisions, and the media, there is a lot of reference material which we hope is helpful. Also, we have set up an Asian Hornet Action Team to assist with identification and support the bee inspectors when they are deployed. Lynne Ingram is the co-ordinator of the county-wide team made up of a member from each of the Divisions; later Divisions may wish to develop their own action teams. Lynne visited Jersey at the end of August to help beekeepers track Asian hornets back to their nests and is passionate about the need for us to be prepared. (Check our website for Lynne’s accounts of tracking Asian hornets). As your chairman I have written to our five MPs to draw their attention to the UK’s first Asian hornet week and seek their support. If Asian hornets become established here I fear the government will withdraw funding to track and destroy nests and the responsibility (and cost) will be passed to the home/landowner leading to a rapid proliferation of numbers. We must keep our MPs, local councils and the community on board if we are to succeed in repelling/managing this massive threat to our honeybees and wildlife. Anne Pike [email protected]

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Page 1: Somerset Beekeepers Association · assistant bee keeper at Buckfast Abbey I thought that I had died and gone to heaven. I also worked as a seasonal bee inspector for 2 years alongside

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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