Beekeeping One Day Introduction Course

Hot of the press is this advert from the club, so if you are interested in bee keeping but just not quite sure you want it for a hobby or not now is your opportunity to find out.

DEAN FOREST BEEKEEPING ASSOCIATION

Beekeeping One Day Introduction Course

Saturday 24^th April – 9.30 for 10:00am to 4:30pm

Learn why so many are taking up beekeeping.

In the morning you will gain an insight into bee life, their behaviour, life cycle and husbandry. Learn how to manipulate a colony, feed them and extract honey.

In the afternoon you will visit a private Apiary to observe and handle bees under the guidance of local experts.

Theory session at Staunton Village Hall;

Practical at Kymin Apiaries, Monmouth

Inclusive of:

• Lunch and refreshments

• Protective suits and tools provided.

• Literature and Course notes

• Certificate of Attendance

• Free transport between

  Staunton and The Kymin (and return).

Course fee £35.00 pp, already booking.

Phone Jim on 01600 714428 and download an application form

Beekeepers QuestionTime

Last Thursday, we had a great evening at Elwood football club Hall, when a whole 2.5 hours was spent questioning the experts. One of which was an ex-bee inspector and another a local commercial bee keeper. Questions varied from the serious matter of the cost of bees and can the price be justified to the more humours story of the panel most memorable swarm catching experiences.
Lots was learnt by all even some of the most experienced bee keepers picked up some more tips on how to produce creamed honey. It was a slightly disappointing turn out, but those who went had a wonderful time and there was a successful raffle, at which I was shocked and delighted to win a limited edition pro-type of two copies of a baseball club with forest of dean bee-keepers on the top. See photo. Also we had chance to pick up our fleece and polo-shirt with the dean forest badge on, which we all look very smart in.

We also had the pleasure of the company of Arthur Talyor who has been keeping bees for over 50 years, and when asked by the chairman what one piece of advice above all others he would give to newly starting bee keeper, his answer was "to give something back" and then of course another three answers... but I intend to try my best to give something back by encouraging others to keep bees.

Lydney Apiary: Count of Varroa after treatment

Cycled to the apiary today and spent an hour and 20 mins checking the floors and bees.
I have removed the floors and given them a rough clean but they will need doing more thoroughly.
The count will be for virtual 6 days, It is much higher than I was expecting. However there were three hives which were noticeable lower than the other, one was a weak hive, however the other two are average strength hives so it is worth noting he numbers for future ref, for deciding which Queen to breed from as this is one of the factors we should take in to account. Counts as follows.... would be interest to know what a typical count is after treatment.

Hive - varroa count
12 - 40
18 - 32
17 - 43
14 - 30
20 - 55
2 - 6 good hygiene
8 - 80 - double hive bit more of a guesstimate as did half and double it.
6 - 55
15 - 52
10 - 39
7 - 6 good hygiene
9 - 7 weak hive - but not too bad
5 - 27 this hive was eating the food best and had 1/2 gone so is the only hive I would wonder if they would run out.
13 - 21
1 - 48
4 - 39
3 - 70

As you can see from the two images it is not always that easy to count how many varroa are in the 2nd image?