Wedmore & Cheddar Division

Hon. Secretary. Mrs B. Knutson. Tel. 01934 742187 email bridget_knutson@ yahoo.co.uk.

INTRODUCTION TO BEEKEEPING

a course for those interested in Beekeeping

Winter 2010

To be held in the

CHEDDAR FIRST SCHOOL

In The Hayes

A series of six lectures / demonstrations for those interested in beekeeping as a hobby, or just in finding out more about bees and the craft of beekeeping. The evening meetings will run for approximately 2 ½ hrs, starting at 7.30pm Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.

The course is free, although contributions to refreshments, and to our Charity- Hives Save Lives Africa- will be welcomed . We also ask you to become an Associate membership for the Year (£3) which will ensure you are informed of all our Association meetings throughout the year. You will be welcome at all events.

The proposed programme is as follows:-

Session 1. Wednesday 13th January Introduction

What is beekeeping? What is a Honey Bee? Costs, Stings and Practical implications

Session 2 Wednesday 20th January About the Bees

The Occupants of the Hive. Biology of the Bee. Lifecycle of the Colony

Session 3 Wednesday 27th January Equipment

Parts of the Hive and their uses. Sources. Assembling and preparing. New v second-hand.

Session 4 Wednesday 3rd February Seasonal Management - Hive Manipulation

Opening the Hive. Planning and precautions. Using a Smoker. Seasonal routine. Brief Introduction to Swarming.

Session 5 Wednesday 10th February Honey Production

The Honey Season. Activity in the Hive and how Honey is produced. Forage Plants – theoretical and actual.

Session 6 Wednesday 17th February Disease, Trouble Shooting - Getting Started

Some problems to be aware of. Diseases, Pests and Predators. Routine Husbandry. General recapitulation. Questions, Questions and some Answers.

Course Tutors – Terry Andrews – contact – tel 01749 870365 e-mail – terryandvicky@uwclub.net

Caroline Butter - contact – tel 01934 742075 e-mail – okapi.bhive@uwclub.net

A follow-up course is planned which will take place in the summer for as many of those as we can accommodate who wish to find out more by seeing into a hive and handling bees before deciding to acquire their own.

Entrance via the Gate by the War Memorial in Station Rd. This also gives access to IT for the Terrified. Parking in the areas around the gate and further in on the Tennis Courts as space runs out.

Full Programme 2010

Wed 6th Jan Introduction to Beekeeping 1/6 7.30pm , At Draycott Hall

Fri 8 th Jan Module 1+2

Wed13th Jan Introduction to Beekeeping 2/6

Fri 15th Jan Annual Dinner: Rodney Stoke Inn

Thurs 21st Jan Skittles Evening Venue TBA

Fri 22nd Jan Mod 1+2

Fri 29th Jan Mod1+2

Wed 3rd Feb Introduction to Beekeeping 3/6

Fri 5th Feb Mod 1+2

Wed10th Feb Introduction to Beekeeping 4/6

Fri 12th Feb Mod 1+2

Wed 17th Feb Introduction to Beekeeping 5/6

Sat 20th Feb SBKA Lecture Day Speaker: The Kings of Wessex School Cheddar

Thurs 25th Feb Beekeeping in Ken Edwards at Draycott Hall

Fri 26th Feb Mod 1+2

Fri 5 th Mar Mod 1+2

Fri 12th Mar Mod 1+2

Sat 13 th Mar Apiary Meeting Clewer: 1st Inspection after winter

Fri 19th Mar Mod 1+2

Sat 20th Mar Module 1+2 Exams

Thur 25 th Mar Beekeeping Equipment Sale Ruishton Village Hall, Taunton

Sat 27th Mar Around my Hive: Visit to a Members Apiary.

Tues 30th Mar Introduction to Beekeeping Lecture 6/6.

Fri 9th Apr Basic Beekeeping Exam Group

Sun 11th Apr Apiary Meeting Clewer: Assessing the Colony development etc.

Fri16-Sun17th Apr BBKA Spring Convention Stoneleigh

Fri 23rd Apr Basic Beekeeping Exam Group

Sat 24th Apr Apiary Meeting Clewer: Swarm Prevention/Control: Speaker TBA

Fri 30th Apr Basic Beekeeping Exam Group

Sat 1st May Swarm Control with Simon Jones: Apiary Meeting Clewer 2-30pm

Fri 7th May Basic Beekeeping Exam Group

Fri 14th May Basic Beekeeping Exam Group

Sat 15th May Beehive Safari: Megan Seymour

Fri 21st May Around my Hive: Visit to members Apiary

Sat 22nd May Bees, Wax and Candle Making, Jenny Gammon Draycott Hall 2-5pm cost TBC

Fri 28th May Basic Beekeeping Exam Group

Wed-Sat 3rd-5th Jun Bath and West Show

Sat 5th Jun Apiary Meeting Clewer: Assessing the build up of the ‘flow'

Fri 11th Jun Basic Beekeeping Exam Group

Sun 3rd Jun Apiary Meeting Clewer: Supering: adequate space for Honey?

Fri 18th Jun Basic Beekeeping Exam Group

Wed 23rd Jun Around my Hive: Visit to members Apiary

Fri 25th Jun Basic Beekeeping Exam Group

Fri 9th Jul Basic Beekeeping Exam Group

Sat 10th Jul Apiary Meeting: Assessing the food requirements for winter. Taking off Honey

Sat 24th Jul Around my Hive: Visit to members Apiary

Fri-Sat 6th-7 th Aug Taunton Flower Show

Sun 8th Aug Apiary Meeting Clewer: Varroa check

Sun 22nd Aug Around my Hive: Visit to a Members Apiary

Sat 11th Sept Apiary Meeting Clewer: Post Varroa check and feeding for winter

Sat 25th Sept Around my Hive: Visit to Members Hive

Thu 14th Oct AGM Draycott

Thu 21st Oct Review of the season: Colony Health, future planning

Fri 19th Nov Preparation for next year/equipment needs

Sat 11th Dec Apiary Meeting Clewer: Oxalic Acid day

Wed 15th Dec Social/Quiz Night

2011

January Annual Dinner

................Wedmore and Cheddar Divison's stand at Theale Flower Show on Sat.Sept 5th 2009

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.....Some of the products produced and shown by Wedmore & Cheddar members at Theale.

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Pictures from the Wedmore and Cheddar Division Anual Dinner 2008,

where Meg Seymour was guest of honour.