West Cornwall Beekeepers Association

Beekeeping Convention 2013

james allen — Fri, 31 May 2013 18:43:50 +0000

A Bit Of A Do 2013 is now open for booking. With keynote addresses from Dan Basterfield and Juliet Osborne, as well as shorter sessions by Ruth and Ian Homer as well as James Kilty it is not to be missed!

A brief outline of the day can be seen in the BOAD 2013 flyer, and full details, as well as an application pack for tickets, can be seen by clicking on the Beekeeping Convention tab to the left.

70th Birthday Celebration 27th of April

james allen — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:19:19 +0000

This year the West Cornwall Beekeepers Association is turning 70! To celebrate this we are very lucky to be joined by the Chairman of the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeder’s Association Will Messenger, who will be delivering two talks at the Passmore Edwards Institute Hayle (details below). Doors open at 1030 and tickets cost £4 (£2 for members) and can be booked in advance by contacting Heather Williams on 01736 850577 or by email on heather@quillet.org.uk. A pasty lunch can also be pre-booked at a cost of £3 (for information please see Birthday poster)

The History of Beekeeping in Cornwall (1100):

Will has a passion for beekeeping history and has carried out extensive research in to the history of beekeeping practices within Cornwall. Here he will present his findings and provide us with an insight into how Cornish beekeeping has developed in to what it is today.

Honey Bees as Wild Animals (1330):

‘There is no other hobby or industry quite like beekeeping. Other livestock are more or less domesticated-maybe pigeons are the other exception. Thus the beekeeper has to learn to understand the honey bee at a deeper level than is necessary to keep a cow or a cat and in any case cats and cows are mammals like us so treating them a bit like humans should be treated doesn’t go far wrong.

In recent years ‘natural’ beekeepers have sought to seize what might be described as a false moral high ground claiming that mainstream beekeeping is wrong.

This talk attempts to re-interpret some of our beliefs in what is right and wrong for successful beekeeping by focusing on bees as wild animals. I will look afresh at topics such as swarming/drone laying/laying workers/honeybee races and subspecies/robbing.’

As with all his talks, Will will incorporate basic beekeeping tips so that there is something for everybody, and will be ready to answer questions on any beekeeping subject.

Will Messenger:-

Will was inspired to become a beekeeper (and take bees to the heather) by an aunt who lived within sight of Dartmoor and would tell him to ‘go and see if the bees have any honey.’ Finding her veil and smoker and working out how to use them was exciting. While training as a teacher, he was taught beekeeping by Maurice Calvert at Newton Park College. His first venture was wiped out by AFB and he regrets the loss of a dark strain that had arrived as a swarm. Following a career as a biology teacher, Will returned to beekeeping and is best known for his interest in beekeeping history. With Eve he currently operates 60+ stocks in the North Cotswolds. They are members of BFA and active in Gloucestershire BKA.

Thornes Winter Sale

admin — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:54:58 +0000

Thornes Winter Sale will start on Monday 7th January 2013 at 9.00am online when full details will be on their website www.thorne.co.uk
Orders over £100.00 will be sent carriage free within the UK, except the Channel Islands.

Sale ends 5.00pm Thursday 31st January 2013.

Shown below is a list of the main items. There are also quite a number of “bits and pieces” with very limited quantities.

Hive Parts – utility grade English cedar, all empty, flat packed and complete with nails and plastic runners

National Brood Body	17.00
10 x National Brood Body	165.00
National Super	13.50
10 x National Super	130.00
National 4” Roof	18.00
National Open Mesh Floor	13.50
National Solid Floor	13.50
National Crownboard, No Escapes	7.50
National Hive Stand	5.50
National Sloping Hive Stand	7.00
National 14” x 12” Brood Body	28.00
National Nuc Hive, flat, with open mesh floor	55.00
National Rhombus Board	10.00
National Entrance Block for Open Mesh Floor	1.25

Commercial Brood Body	22.50
Commercial Super	13.50
Langstroth Brood Body	17.00
Langstroth Super	13.50
Smith Brood Body	18.00
Smith Super	13.50

Frames – second quality timber, packs of 50s

DN1/SN1	26.00
DN2/SN2	37.00
DN4/SN4	29.00
DN5/SN5	37.00
14” x 12”	42.00
BS Manley	37.00
Commercial Deep, Shallow, Manley	37.00
Langstroth Deep, Shallow	37.00
Dadant Shallow, Manley	37.00
Langstroth Jumbo, Dadant Deep	42.00
OSB Frames	29.00
Smith DN4 and SN4	29.00

Miscellaneous

Wood Treatment, 5litres	15.00
XP Excluder	3.00
500g ¾” Nails	3.50
Wire Crimper	5.50
Narrow Plastic Ends, Red	3.25
Narrow Plastic Ends, Blue	3.25
Narrow Plastic Ends, Green	3.25
Narrow Plastic Ends, Yellow	3.25
10prs National Metal Runners	7.50
10prs National 10 slot Castellated Spacers	14.00
Castellated Mouseguard	2.25
Ventilated Mouseguard	2.25
Rhombus Escape	1.50
Bee Quick, 240ml	10.00
Bee Brush	2.75
Secateurs	1.00
Corner Supports, set 4	50p
Liquid Bee Smoke	1.00
S/S Smoker	13.50
Apifuge	7.50
S/S Hive Tool	6.50
S/S Hive Tool and Frame Lifter	6.50
Heavy Duty Hive Tool & Frame Lifter	5.00
Basic Hive Tool	2.00
Frame Grip	5.50
Frame Cleaner	2.00
Api Charm	9.00
Bee Jet	4.94
Occasional Jacket & Veil, Large	5.00
Open Mesh Helmet	5.00
Jacket and Fencing Hood – Small	20.00
Jacket and Fencing Hood – Medium	20.00
Jacket and Fencing Hood – Large	20.00
Jacket and Fencing Hood – XL	20.00
Jacket and Fencing Hood – XXL	20.00
Jacket and Round Hat – Small	20.00
Jacket and Round Hat – Medium	20.00
Jacket and Round Hat – Large	20.00
Jacket and Round Hat – XL	20.00
Jacket and Round Hat – XXL	20.00
All in One, Adult – Small	35.00
All in One, Adult – Medium	35.00
All in One, Adult – Large	35.00
All in One, Adult – XL	35.00
All in One, Adult – XXL	35.00
National Insulated Quilt	1.25
Uncapping Fork	2.75
Uncapping Knife	5.00
Budget Tangential Plastic Extractor	110.00
Stainless Steel Valve	25.00
S/S Double Strainer	13.50
Nylon Double Strainer	6.00
Mini Strainer	32.00
10 x 30lb Buckets	27.00
10x15lb Buckets	19.00
Honey Creamer	17.00
Honey Dispenser	10.00
1000 L12 Tamper Labels – Gold and white skep	10.00
1000 L12 Tamper Labels – Purple and black bee	10.00
1000 L12 Tamper Labels – White and green skep	10.00
1000 L12 Tamper Labels – White and red skep	10.00
1000 L12 Tamper Labels – Gold and white hive	10.00
1000 L12 Tamper Labels – Gold and black hive	10.00
1000 L12 Tamper Labels – Yellow and black skep	10.00
1000 L12 Tamper Labels – Yellow and green bee	10.00
500 L12 Double Ended Tamper Labels – Hive	10.00
500 L12 Double Ended Tamper Labels – Bee	10.00
1000 Squeeze Bear Labels	5.00
50 Old Style Cut Comb Containers and 4C, please note the occasional container may have a small hole or poor fitting lid. They should all be checked with water before use with honeycomb.	8.00
840 Crystal Cut Comb Containers	65.00
50 Crystal Cut Comb Containers	5.00
100 Plastic Mini Pots	3.00
10 x 12oz Squeezee Containers	3.60
10 x 16oz Squeezee Containers	4.00
10 Trio	50p
Pollen Trap	5.50
Polish Tins, 10	2.00
Stainless steel Grafting Tool	3.50
Plastic Queen Catcher	2.75
Queen Puzzle Cage	25p
Plastic Press in Cage	25p
Clip Catcher	2.75
Marking Cage and Plunger	2.75
Butler Cage	1.20
Telescopic Queen Cage	50p
Plastic Porter Bee Escape	50p
Galvanised Mesh, min size 12” sq.	50p
English Feeder	7.50
12 English Feeders	80.00
Rapid Feeder	3.75
½ Gallon Contact Feeder	2.75
1 Gallon Contact Feeder	3.25
Set of 8 Royle Posters	10.50
Set of 3 Newest Royle Posters	4.50
Belinda Bee	2.50
Coloured Candle Sheets, Mixed Colours, Slight Seconds	3.50
Black Candle Sheets	3.50

Canadian Cedar – slight seconds and empty

National Section Racks, Assembled	10.00
Smith Crownboard, No Escapes	5.00
WBC Crownboard, No Escapes	5.00

Miscellaneous

Silicone Press Apis Mellifera – few air bubbles	100.00
Langstroth Frame Feeder, Plastic	6.00
Hexagonal Local Honey Sign	25p
A3 Honey For Sale Poster	25p

E.H. Thorne (Beehives) Ltd, Beehive Business Park, Rand, Market Rasen, LN8 5NJ 01673 858555

Bee Improvement for All

admin — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:34:04 +0000

Bee Improvement for All

A one-day event organised by the

Bee Improvement Programme for Cornwall (BIPCo)

To be held at Dobwalls Memorial Hall, Higher Meadow, Dobwalls PL14 6LS Saturday 2nd February 2013

Commencing 9.30am (for 10.00) until 4.00pm

Guest Speaker: Catherine Thompson from Leeds University

(Morphometry and DNA analysis of ‘native/near-native’ honey bees)

Programme to include:

The theory of bee improvement
Assessment and Record-keeping
Queen rearing
Use of nucs and mini-nucs
Working as a group for bee improvement
BIPCo membership
Morphometry*

*Please bring a sample of approx 30 of your bees, from one colony, for testing on the day!

A programme for all those interested in improving the quality of their bees through the assessment, selection and rearing of queens.

Trade Stands will be attending.

Tea/coffee provided, Soup/lunch available.

Tickets are £15 for those who register their interest before the day (or £20 on the day). Confirm your place by emailing info@bipco.org.uk or by post to BIPCo, 4 West Street, Millbrook, TORPOINT PL10 1AA

BIPCo membership will be offered on the day and a discount for members on ticket price will be available

Payment not required until the day, thank you.

The BIG GIVE Christmas Challenge

admin — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:45:48 +0000

Dear Friend of BfD,

As you may know Bees for Development Trust supports bees and beekeepers in developing countries. This year we are taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge to raise funds for a bee plant nursery in Amhara, northern Ethiopia. Our aims are to restore degraded land, to provide bees with forage and to enable poor farmers to gain income from honey. This is a three day fundraising challenge on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the 6th 7th and 8th of December. Please make a note in your diary.

If you have thought of supporting us, then now is the time to do it! Online donations received on 6th, 7th or 8th December will be matched in funding by The Big Give.
We would love everyone who can to make a donation.

Thank you very much,
Paul Smith (Chair of BfD Trust)
and everyone at Bees for Development

New Events for Members

Barbara — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 10:52:00 +0000

Honey Show 4th December 2012 at Passmore Edwards Hall Hayle.

Your chance to show the fruits of your bees labours this year. Classes for both novices and experienced beekeepers.

Added attraction this year a bring and buy stall for your surplus or unwanted equipment.

For more information go to the calendar page.

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Novices Meeting 10th December St Pirans Hall Goldsithney 7.30pm

Bring your smoker and your favoured fuel: we are going to have a smoke off to see who can keep their smoker going the longest.

With tips from the experts for those of us who need help….

Forthcoming Courses

Bernie — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:26:06 +0000

Strengthening Livelihoods

A one day training course in Monmouth – Friday 12 October 2012

An introduction to the issues and challenges of beekeeping in developing countries.

The programme will be of relevance to anyone interested in beekeeping as a means of alleviating poverty.

Visit our website to book and find out more – http://www.beesfordevelopment.org/what-we-do/training_in_the_uk/day-course

Sustainable Beekeeping

A weekend course in the Forest of Dean – 13 & 14 October 2012

“Making it simple and feasible to look after bees in a more sustainable way”

This course covers the management of bees, and natural ways to take care of them. Beekeepers and non-beekeepers welcome.

Visit our website to book and find out more – http://www.beesfordevelopment.org/what-we-do/training_in_the_uk/weekend-course

These courses are run by Monmouth-based international organisation Bees for Development, specialists in sustainable beekeeping worldwide.

**************************************************

Bees for Development

1 Agincourt Street, Monmouth

NP25 3DZ, United Kingdom

Tel +44 (0)16007 14848

info@beesfordevelopment.org

www.beesfordevelopment.org

First Winter Meeting of the Year – 2nd October

Bernie — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 10:26:33 +0000

Robin Pooley, a beekeeper with 50 colonies, will share with us his experiences of keeping bees in South Africa.

Venue: Passmore Edwards Hall, Hayle, 7.30pm

Locally raised bees available from members of West Cornwall BKA

Bernie — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:52:18 +0000

It is the policy of both the British Beekeepers’ Association and West Cornwall BKA to encourage their members to source their bees from locally raised stock. This is principally because these bees are most likely to be adapted to our local climate and conditions. It makes no sense to expect bees which have evolved in a Mediterranean or other climate to thrive in West Cornwall. It also reduces the potential for further harmful diseases and pests being introduced into the area.

Some new beekeepers do not know where to turn in order to obtain their first stock of bees and often go to the internet, without knowing where these bees and the queen originated. So, to make life easier for new beekeepers as well as others seeking bees, we are listing those members who may have bees available for sale. The purpose of the list is to allow buyer and seller to make contact; the transaction is private between the two parties; and WCBKA cannot be held liable for deficiencies or dissatisfaction which might arise for either party.

Most often, bees are sold as a nuc, and both buyer and seller are advised to be aware of the ‘British Beekeepers’ Association Standard nucleus Guidance notes,’. In particular, a nuc should be a well balanced colony of between 3 and 5 frames, containing a current or previous season’s queen. Brood and eggs in all stages should occupy at least half the total comb area. There should be enough food for at least two weeks and there should be a good balance between young and flying bees, with the frames well covered. The bees should be healthy, and good tempered when handled in good conditions by a competent handler.

The seller should give instructions or assistance regarding the immediate care of the bees.

Your attention is also drawn to a recent Advice Note from fera-‘Advice for Obtaining Honey Bees,’ in which it is recommended that those selling bees should keep a record of the name and address of the purchaser. This is to enable contact tracing in the event of disease.

To Obtain Local Bees Contact

Roger Dewhurst tel: 01209 842860

Tamsin Harris tel: 01736 850692

James Kilty: Honey-Mountain 07980 486245, 01736 850373 for enquiries about nuclei and queens.

Anne McQuade: email, tel: 01326 373749,

Matt Pitt: email, tel: 01209 831095 or mobile: 07590 984192

Stephen Putnam: email, mobile: 07809 897706 or tel: 01736 798333

The Central Association of Bee-Keepers

Bernie — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:00:26 +0000

The Central Association of Bee-Keepers – Bringing Science to the Beekeeper
Spring 2012 Update for Members

Social Evening Thursday 25th October 6.30pmVenue: as National Honey Show – St George’s College, Weybridge, Surrey
Speaker: (tbc)
Lecture followed by finger buffet including wine or soft drink.Stratford Conference Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th NovemberVenue: Legacy Falcon Hotel, Stratford-upon-AvonAs usual there will be seven lectures spread at a leisurely pace over the weekend.Members and non-members welcome.

Spring Meeting & AGM Saturday 31st March 10.30am – 4.30pmVenue: Roots and Shoots, Walnut Tree Walk, Lambeth, SE11 6DN
Three lectures and CABK Annual General Meeting.
A delicious vegetarian lunch can be pre-booked at a modest cost.
pat.allen@btconnect.com / bibba26@talktalk.net
www.cabk.org.uk
Booklet news:
• Karl Showler’s booklet is being printed and will be with members soon.
• Two further booklets are in the pipeline.