Newsletter December 2020

Posted on1st September 20201st December 20203 Comments

Summary of contents: New Style AGM Hits the Mark, Winter in the Apiary, Colin Ellis, Search for the Perfect Bee, Read More …

Newsletter January 2021

Posted on1st July 20201st January 2021Leave a comment

Download the January 2021 newsletter in PDF format: Newsletter January 2021

Previous Newsletters in 2020

Posted on1st January 20201st January 2021Leave a comment

Newsletter December 2020 Newsletter November 2020 Newsletter October 2020 Newsletter September 2020 Newsletter August 2020 Newsletter July 2007a 2007b Newsletter Read More …

NOTICE BOARD.

Website Editors:

John Farrow assisted by Sarah Rapley.

Site Visits since 1st Jan. 2019:

All our autumn & winter indoor meetings previously held at Weald Memorial Hall TN14 6PT are now to be held on Zoom.

Notice of these will be given to members a few days before, with the direct link to connect on line.

Honey Harvest 2020

The honey harvest at the Barrwood and Hilbert Rd apiaries is now complete. The very hot dry weather this summer has reduced the volume of honey produced, but the quality is excellent. Both batches are quite dark in colour with an intense flavour. The Barrwood honey has a caramel note, while the Hilbert Rd honey is slightly more floral.

The honey is now available for sale at a price of £6.50 for a 16oz jar (Hilbert Rd), or £5 for a 12oz jar (Barrwood). Please note the honey is not pasteurised, and therefore unsuitable for infants under 12 months or expectant mothers. The honey is not for resale.

If you wish to buy any of the branch honey, please contact the treasurer on: treasurer@sevenoaksbeekeepers.org.uk

Topical Tips for January & February.

Monitor the hive entrance for build up of dead bees and blockage.
Check regularly for any damage or wind / weather getting in.
Ensure the roof is secure; bricks, blocks and/or a strap will do the job.
In January, when the weather is cold, but not below freezing, treat your hives with oxalic acid solution to control varroa. Record the varroa drop in the following two weeks so that you know how badly your colonies were infested.
Gently heft (lift) the hive to check food weight. If light put a block of fondant over the crown board feedhole, and check regularly to see if it is being consumed.

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Apiary Meetings – All our 2020/21 outdoor apiary meetings are temporarily postponed.

In more normal times, these are the operational arrangements for our two apiary sites.

Hilbert Road: Normally all meetings start at 10 am and will be held on most Sundays from March through to June. 😎👍Check with Vic Webb or here for late cancellations due to weather.😂

Barrwood: Normally all meetings start at 2.00 pm and will be held on most Saturdays from March through to June. 😎👍Check with Cliff Hayward or here for late cancellations due to weather. 😂

Our MEETINGS page gives exact dates & more complete detail.

Swarms: If you have a swarm of honeybees land in your garden, and they look like this:

go to our SWARM PAGE to check if in fact they are honeybees and to find a list of beekeepers who are prepared to collect them.

Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells Beekeepers

A branch of the Kent Bee-Keepers Association

Author: John Farrow

Newsletter December 2020

Newsletter January 2021

Previous Newsletters in 2020