SBKA in the News

Somerset Beekeepers' Association

S.B.K.A.. Publicity Officer: David Morris, ‘Cranford’, Halse, Taunton, Somerset. TA4 3AB Telephone 01823 432686 E Mail: d.g.morris@ btinternet.com

The LASI team participated in the filming for the programme on honey in the Great British Food Revival. The series starts on Wed 9 March on BB2 at 8pm. We do not know exactly when the honey programme will be shown.

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National Bee Unit Guide to buying Second-hand Equipment

Download guide leaflet here

Press Release February 2011

On Saturday 19 th February, 180 beekeepers converged on the King's of Wessex School, Cheddar, for the annual Lecture Day organised by the Somerset Beekeepers Association (S.B.K.A.), This is a major beekeeping event and this year attracted participants from as far afield as East Sussex.

The lead speaker this year was Ged Marshall from Buckinghamshire who raises and sells queen bees as well as being a honey producer. His first talk explained the process of raising hundreds of queens but also showed how some of the methods used can be adapted to fulfil the needs of beekeepers who may only wish to raise a few queens for their own use. His second talk was a resume of his beekeeping year and how he needs to move his hives to meet pollination contracts and to areas where the bees will be able to gather a valuable contribution to the 10 tons of honey he produces annually.

The second speaker was Dr Adam Hart, a social entomologist, from the University of Gloucester. His talk was on the Mexican Melopina stingless bee that was an important symbol in the Mayan culture. Now in decline, the talk illustrated how the hive was a hollow log just over a metre in length and along with others, was stacked on a frame that was covered with a roof for protection. The honey yields are very small which partly explained why the number of colonies being kept is in decline.

Just before lunch, a talk was given by Professor Michael Keith-Lewis from Reading University who has researched pollen and plant fragments from archaeological sites as well as being involved in forensic science. His talk was on the evolvement of the bee with particular emphasis on the part the collection and transferring of pollen played in the evolution process. He explained the variety of bees, some with specific body structures to meet some of the unique pollinating needs of certain plants.

The final talk by Robert Carpenter Turner from Wiltshire, was an amusing session. He illustrated various beekeeping practices that he had come across as a Seasonal Bee Inspector working for FERA. Fellow inspectors, who covered Somerset were also on hand during the breaks to give advice to members.

In conclusion, Ken Tredgett, the Chair of S.B.K.A., thanked Caroline Butter for her organisation of the day, Neil Trood and his team who provided an excellent lunch and refreshments during the day, and finally, the speakers and the membership for their attendance.

Press Release December 2010

8 th December 2010

Sixteen members of the Somerset Beekeepers Association (S.B.K.A.), passed the basic exam of the British Beekeepers Association, (B.B.K.A.) this year . As the name suggest, the exam is a straight forward practical and oral test of the beekeepers skills and knowledge. New beekeepers in particular, are encouraged to take the exam after having had a few years experience as this gives them confidence and hopefully encourages them to undertake the more advanced papers. Dr. Richard Bache from Drayton is one such member who this year became recognised as a Master Beekeeper.

Special mention should be made of nine year old Callum Glennie from Wellington who successfully passed the B.B.K.A. Junior Exam. He was one of only five candidates nationally to have passed the exam this year. It is also believed that Callum is the youngest member of the Somerset B.K.A. in its 105 year history ever to have held a national beekeeping award.

The recent very cold weather will have had no detrimental effect upon our honeybees. Because honeybees live as a colony throughout the winter, they are able to cluster tightly together to preserve the heat they create from consuming their stores. For other insects, such as wasp and bumble bees, survival of the solitary over-wintering queens can be critical. If their winter quarters, within the ground or in banks are subjected to days of penetrating frost, then their future survival will be in doubt. Whilst a hard winter might reduce the number of wasps nest next year, it also means the number of bumble bees will also be reduced.

4 th September 2010

For many members of the Somerset Beekeepers Association (S.B.K.A.), the process of taking this year's honey crop from the hives, extracting it and putting into either jars or bulk containers will have been completed. The yields in some areas of the county have been exceptional, far better than has been the case in recent years. There are instances where hives have produced over 150 pounds of honey. However, even in these areas there have been some disappointing results.

One of the reasons for these variations will be the increased number of colonies that swarmed earlier this year. Swarming is the bees natural way of increasing their colony numbers. The beekeeper who has been successful in managing to control the bees instinct to swarm will have been rewarded with a reasonable crop.

The Divisions of the SBKA have members who volunteer to collect swarms where they are accessible. Many of them have been particularly busy this year. They undertake their task freely for the benefit of the community in the knowledge that they will have removed an inconvenient and potential hazard from the owner's property. Furthermore, the bees they have collected will be used to expand their own hive numbers and who knows, perhaps bring in a useful crop of honey in future years. If a payment is offered for their services it is sometimes passed on to a body that will further the interest of bee keeping.

With the high profile still being given to the plight of the honeybee, membership of the SBKA continues to increase as individuals and families are keen to participate in the craft.

The beekeeping year will conclude at the end of September. By this time the beekeeper will have ensured the bees have sufficient stores of 30 + lbs to get then through the winter. Judging by the weights of some of the hives many of them will have sufficient stores already.

An article in the Mid Somerset newspaper series Thursday 9th July 2010

Bees are in trouble, warns Caroline Butter, education officer for the Somerset Beekeepers Association.

Bees are regarded as a barometer of the health of the environment, so if they are in trouble we all are.

A combination of problems has been causing large numbers of bees to die off. In America in particular, a worrying phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has emerged. Colonies are abandoning their hives to die. Possible causes include pesticides, viruses, fungi, and mites. Bees in the UK and the rest of the world are also on the decline.

Mrs Butter, of Draycott, is the president of the Wedmore and Cheddar Beekeepers Association, which recently won several prizes at the Royal Bath and West Show. She said: "Pollinators are fewer. Bees' food plants are being eliminated, along with places that they can be undisturbed. Farming practices, such as monoculture, insecticides and herbicides reduce the plants they depend on.

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"If farmers want crops pollinated by insects they have to bear in mind these insects need to survive outside the main time for their crops. Many have not been using clover in the mix when resowing grassland. Overtidying of gardens and farmland also contributes to the problem."

Mrs Butter says if people planted red clover, lucerne, borage, buckweed and phacelia, all pollinators would benefit and so would birds.

As bees gather nectar from flowers, they pollinate them. The European honeybee is used to pollinate farmers' crops around the world. Mrs Butter said: "Beekeepers have moved bees from country to country for thousands of years. As a result, a particular mite, which comes from native bees in the Far East, has jumped species. The Varroa mite was tolerated by the native bees in the Far East, but the European honeybee can't cope with it. If we don't keep mite levels down they will weaken colonies and make them die out."

Verroa is a bloodsucking mite that can transmit viruses. Bees carry the mites as they move from colony to colony. Chemical treatment to kill the mites was misused, leading to a resistant strain. Mrs Butter said: "Integrated pest management is used instead of chemical treatment in the UK now. One of the methods is to dust the bees with icing sugar to encourage them to groom each other. We also encourage bees to raise extra drones, then cull the drone pupae which attract the mites, diverting them from the other bees. Naturally-based oils such as thymol also help knock down the mites. Any chemical treatment is done under careful supervision.

"Americans have been analysing wax and finding all sorts of insecticides in it. It seems nobody has looked at the damage a combination of pesticides can do, leading to a dangerous cocktail."

The change in weather patterns in the UK has also changed the behaviour of bees.

Warmer winters mean they fly out, using up stores of nectar which they can't replace, then die of starvation.

Mrs Butter, who has kept bees for 36 years and has around 60,000, said: "Last winter was very good for bees. The cold weather meant they clustered, kept warm and stayed alive.

"Somerset bees are having a reasonable summer. The queen bees need warm weather to fly and mate."

Mrs Butter advises anyone thinking of keeping bees to do a course first. Somerset Beekeepers run courses in the winter. To find out more about keeping bees, email educationofficer@somer setbeekeepers.org.uk

Latest press releases

8th June 2010

An article appeared on BBC Points West today, 8th click HERE to see the TV article featuring David Morris and David Pearce entitled 'Honey bees out of intensive care'

28th May 2010

Members of the Somerset Beekeepers Association (S.B.K.A.) have seen their colonies of honeybees taking full advantage of the recent weeks of warm weather. In early spring, the bees appeared to be developing slower than normal, as was the case with many plants. However, when the dandelion flowered this year in abundance, the bees made rapid headway. The dandelion plant produces a nectar with a high sugar content as well as providing plenty of pollen, the ideal food for honeybees and their young.
With even more flowers coming into bloom such as the oil seed rape, apple and horse chestnut, the month of May saw many colonies becoming congested. This is one of the triggers for colonies to increase their numbers by swarming. Swarming happens when the old queen leaves the hive with up to half of the bees to establish a new colony some distance away. In the hive she has left, there will be ‘queen cells’ from which the new queens will emerge and mate with the male drone bees. This is nature’s way of increasing the colony numbers and ensuring the continued existence of the honeybee to undertake the task of pollination, so vital if many of our food bearing plants are to survive.
Indications appear to show that the number of swarms emerging in May this year are above the normal average. For the beekeeper who captures the swarm, there could be a reasonable crop of honey to harvest later in the year if the colony expands as expected.
For more information about swarms and their removal, there is a special section on the SBKA web page together with a list of members who could give assistance if required within their specific area. for swarm contact plese click here

14 th March 2010

There was a good attendance at the Annual General Meeting of the Somerset Beekeepers Association, (S.B.K.A.) at West Pennard on Saturday 13 th March. In opening the meeting, the retiring President Gerald Fisher, reminded us of the increasing interest in bees and beekeeping that had taken place during his three years in office. Introductory course attendances had been well beyond expectations and this had resulted in there being more beekeepers and members of S.B.K.A.

The invited speaker for the afternoon was Roger Patterson from Sussex. His subject was entitled ‘Queen Performance'. His observations revealed that many queens over the past few years in his area had failed to provide the core function necessary for a colony's well-being. He illustrated this by showing the seasonal records of a dozen or so colonies. The audience were awaiting an analysis of the causes for the failures but were disappointed. His management suggestions to overcome the problem were already being promoted by the S.B.K.A.

The business meeting was chaired by Ken Tredgett who thanked all the officers for their involvement and gave particular thanks to those officers who were not seeking re-election. Ken Edwards from Spaxton was unanimously elected and duly installed as the new President. Ken had been particularly active in establishing the links with Bridgwater College that had been of financial advantage to both parties over the last seven years. Added to the list of Vice-Presidents was David Morris from Halse, near Taunton who has been a member of the Somerton Beekeepers for over 50 years and who started lecturing and writing on beekeeping in 1968.

Reports from the Secretary, Suzette Perkins and the Treasurer Gail Johnson, were amongst a number of submitted written items that were unanimously approved .

The meeting concluded with the presentation of the Rose Bowl by Caroline Butter to the member who had given outstanding service to the S.B.K.A. The winner for 2009 was David Pearce, a member of the Taunton Division, for his continuous practical support at County and Divisional Events over many years.

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February 21st 2010

Grant awarded to Taunton Division

The Taunton Division of the Somerset Beekeepers Association received a £5000 grant recently from ‘Green Roots' part of the Somerset Community Foundation. The money will be used to enhance the provision of educational and practical opportunities for all members at their Heatherton Park Apiary and others interested in learning about bees and beekeeping.

For some years now, the Taunton Division has organised an extensive series of talks and shows to introduce people to bees and beekeeping. This also includes a ‘rent-a-hive' scheme whereby new beekeepers can gain regular practical experience of the craft. They are presented with a small colony that they nurture into a honey producing unit. At the end of the course, the participants have the opportunity to own the colony of bees they have been working with. These will have increased from a few thousand at the start of the scheme in May to five times this number at the end of the sessions in September.

Initial thoughts on how the grant can be put to good use includes purchasing sufficient protective clothing, storage facilities, additional hive parts, microscopes and beeswax reclamation facilities. It is the aim that all individuals attending lectures and demonstrations run by the Taunton Division will benefit from the investments.

The Taunton Beekeepers are pleased to have been selected for a grant that has acted as a boost to replace the existing 1930's wooden meeting room to a permanent structure that it is hoped could become the centre of beekeeping excellence in the South West of England.

For further information please contact Adam Robbins Mobile no. 077 370 832 22

Adam with~~~~~

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 5 th January 2010

During the winter months, members of the Somerset Beekeepers Association like to keep a watch on their bees. This entails spending a few moments at the hive entrance watching any bees that are flying to possibly gather a little water to dilute their stores, or popping out to relieve themselves!

Much of December and certainly the New Year, has seen temperatures barely rising above freezing during the day and even colder at night. The bees will have formed themselves into a close cluster in order to retain heat. The centre of this cluster will have a temperature of between 20 0 and 30 0 Centigrade. In these cold conditions the queens will have cease laying. As the outside temperature rises, so will the temperature at the centre of the cluster and the compactness of the bees. When it reaches between 32 0 and 36 0 C and that temperature can be maintained, the queen will recommence laying albeit but only a few eggs per day in the first instance. Providing the colony has sufficient food to generate the warm required, the colony will be able to survive the cold.

Bees have something in common with penguins. Just as they take it in turns to be on the outside of the cluster during the severe Antarctic gales, so the bees also take their turn on the colder exterior of the cluster.

Heavy snow acts as a thermal jacket around the hives but if there is a thaw and the entrances become blocked with ice, then the movement of air will become restricted creating condensation internally. Damp hives are one of the main causes of winter losses. However, hives that are regularly watch by the beekeeper will have had their entrances cleared in good time.

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  S.B.K.A.. Publicity Officer: David Morris, ‘Cranford’, Halse, Taunton, Somerset. TA4 3AB Telephone 01823 432686 E Mail: d.g.morris@ btinternet.com

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