GBKA Registered 
Charity Number : 1014600
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GBKA Registered
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As
soon as you have taken off your honey put in
varroa strips. Look
out for wasps, keep entrances small while they are around, then put on mouse
guards. Feed
towards the end of the month if necessary. An interesting report in
the HRI (Horticultural Research Association at Wellesbourne) annual report on
work they are doing in conjunction with IACR at Rothamsted on Varroa destmctor
and means of controlling the mite especially as the mite appears to be becoming
resistant to existing control methods. They have found that the mite is highly
susceptible to entomopathogenic fungi. But reading between the lines it appears
that these fungi are very susceptible to the temperatures found in bee hives. They are studying "the thermal biology of
candidate isolates using non‑linear models of poikilotherm development to
aid the identification of fungi capable of operating at the high temperatures
found in bee colonies in summer". They measure temperatures in degrees
absolute just to confuse the poor non‑scientist. Why cannot some
scientists make these reports in language that we mortals can understand or even
use words that are in my 1500 page small print dictionary? On reflection I cannot see the significance of
controlling in "summer". We control at the moment in late
summer/autumn and this seems adequate and prevents contamination of any honey
and seems adequate to control the mite over a full year. Why could this not be
done with the fungi they are proposing? Also in the same report an interesting comment on composting onion waste
using the idea that if there is something that is affecting the onions then the
natural enemy of it will also be present, and so one is encouraging the balance
of nature. Alas we cannot do this with Varroa. A report that two American
universities are working on mapping the genome of the honey bee, both commenting
that the honey bee is highly intelligent and that there is much to be learned
from their behaviour in comparison with human beings. A draft version of the
human genome has been published, the mouse and rat genome are well advanced, and
the mapping of it for the chicken, chimpanzee and sea urchin have been given the
"highest priority”. One comparison with humans
that is mentioned is "highly organised system of defence and warfare"
though I can see no comparison with the way my bees behave and my period in the
armed services, even though at one time long ago I stood at the gate of
Catterick camp on guard duty! Another crop where bee pollination helps is coffee, though I have never
tasted any honey that has a coffee flavour, not sure that I would find it
pleasing. Dick
Sadler, 20/8/02, Bayvarol and Apistan are available at many different prices. If you would like some details please phone Janet 01291 690331 June James Trophy This splendid glass trophy is awarded at the AGM each year to the GBKA member who has contributed the most to beekeeping during the past year. Please send your nomination to Les, (01873 880625): the secretary and the chairman make the final decision. Carrying on with the
story about bees withdrawing their stings…….. John Holden accused me of
being very ignorant as everyone knows that bees can do this, he had demonstrated
it at an apiary session he had recently had with the beginners. So keep your
eyes open if you have never seen it. Last week at my apiary someone stung my
glove and I became aware that she was going round and round. So I stopped and
watched and could actually see (I had my specs on) the sting coming out. The bee
then flew off apparently undamaged, and did not leave any alarm pheromone on the
site because no other bee approached it. So a bonus to the beekeeper as well as
the bee. I have heard from
several people that the last month has turned out to be surprisingly
productive—hives with empty supers at the beginning of the month have yielded
a crop at the end. If you are near the river then there has been a flow of
Himalayan Balsam, but I have no idea what the main producer round here has been.
There have been plenty of thistles and maybe some clover although it hasn’t
been as wet as one imagines it needs to be for a decent clover flow. My honey is
quite pale, but a bit nicer than rape. If you have something interesting why not
bring it to the meeting on the 12th and we can all have a taste. I’ll bring
some of mine as a negative control. There is a report
from Jill about Gormanston. Last
year I was urging people to go so it is very nice to hear what it is like.
Bridget
In the honey show at the Royal Welsh the Chirnsides came away with 8 prizes. We congratulate them on their success and hang our collective head in shame that so few of us have the energy to compete. Llanthony Valley Show John Holden and Brian Harris spent the day here with an observation hive etc. The attracted a lot of interest and were busy all day. Tredegar House St. Mellons Show Graham and George took the stand to this show and talked to a great many people (someone wanted a WBC—for ornamental purposes. Well one does see quite a few around, what about those compost heaps that are modelled on them.)
With International Classes and Beekeepers' Lecture Convention, 2002 Organised
by THE NATIONAL
HONEY SHOW LIMITED The
show is sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers PROGRAMME, RULES, SCHEDULE OF CLASSES AND PRIZES
ADMISSION: Non‑Members £ 10.00. Members and accompanied Children, 16yrs and under, FREE SHOW OPENING TIMES Thursday 14th November
2.00 pm ‑ 7.00 pm Friday 15th November
9.30 am ‑ 7.00 pm Saturday 16th
November 9.30 am ‑ 5.00 pm SATURDAY 16th NOVEMBER 4.00 pm Presentation
of Cups and Trophies Mr Richard Jones Director,
International Bee Research Association Federation of Irish Beekeepers' Association' Summer
Course: Gormanston College 2002 I
have been promising myself I would go to Gormanston some day but was put off by
the tales of dormitory accommodation and communal washing facilities, so for
years I've missed out on one of the events in the beekeeping
calendar. However,
when my friend Barbara Chick of Cardiff and the Vale BKA told me she had so
enjoyed herself there last year and was definitely making the trip this year I
invited myself along too. Dinah Sweet, also of Cardiff BKA, made up the trio.
Barbara booked us into bed and breakfast accommodation five minutes walk from
the college, Dinah's husband John booked us into a hotel in the centre of Dublin
for two nights and determined to do justice to Eire off we went courtesy of
Ryanair from Cardiff airport. Dublin
city is worth a longer stay than was available to us, but we walked and walked
and when exhausted joined a city tour bus ‑ guess where we got off! The
Guinness Brewery of course! A great experience enhanced by the free pint of the
great brew in the bar at the top of the Storehouse with a fantastic view of
Dublin. Next year it will be the Jameson Distillery on our list of essential
visits. All
abilities are catered for. One chooses between Advanced, Intermediate,
Preliminary or Workshops. Alternatively, sit in the Beekeepers' Lounge and talk
(or sleep off the excesses of the previous night). Each
year the organisers invite lecturers of international renown. Experts from Eire
also lecture to the various classes. This year Keith Delaplane, Professor of
Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, USA was the principal lecturer.
Professor Delaplane reminded me very much of Professor Pickard in that what ever
his subject and no matter how complicated and scientific the details, everyone
was enthralled and was carried along by his enthusiasm and down to earth
approach. One
of the workshops had the title `Demonstration of Furniture Polishing'. This
intrigued me and I thought how pleased Les would be when I came home with a new
skill. Charlie Robinson and John Donoghue are certainly experts in their field,
needing two hours each evening to do the polishing and impart the gems of Irish
wisdom to the class. We were all perfectly content to sit and listen to their
gentle voices guiding us through the many aspects of the craft. A wonderful way
to spend an evening, only bettered by walking up the lane to `The Huntsman' for
further pints of Guinness. The
Gormanston Summer Course is much more than an academic event. It is an
opportunity to meet old friends and an easy way to make new ones in such
relaxing surroundings: I can't wait for the next course in July 2003. Jill Chirnside
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