Quantock Beekeepers Association was set up as a division within the Somerset Beekeepers Association in 2008. Our aim is to share our enthusiasm in beekeeping within a friendly and supportive group. Our numbers have increased to 120 full and associate members.
If you are not a member, but someone interested in bees, nature and the countryside you would be welcome to come and join us at one of our meetings, it will not cost you anything! Give our secretary a call on 07738 271120 or email ruth@penelope-pitstop.co.uk. We will then ensure that a bee suit is ready for you to borrow and explain any details that you may need to know.
Every second Wednesday of the month (from March to October) at 7pm there will be a Drop in at the Apiary when you can join us in a cup of tea and ‘talk bees’.
STOP PRESS
As a result of the recent outbreak of EFB in the area and the ongoing response from the Seasonal Bee Inspector our Apiary remains on lockdown until Spring, when the next inspection by the SBI can take place. Further details of the resulting changes to the Rent a Hive scheme, and the sterling efforts of our maintenance team can be found in the November Newsletter.
As a further reminder to existing members that there annual BBKA / SBKA membership renewals are due next month, the Membership Secretary has sent out the "Invitation to Renew" emails, which all members should have received. Full instructions as to how to pay and to whom are contained in the email. Those not connected via email will have received a hard copy form.
The membership form below in the "Join the Quantock Division is solely intended for use by NEW members only. Once you have joined you will receive a different document / invitation to renew at the appropriate time.
From all of the Committee at QBKA have a relaxing and peaceful "close season". A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. (But go easy on the Mead!)
If you are not a member, but someone interested in bees, nature and the countryside you would be welcome to come and join us at one of our meetings, it will not cost you anything! Give our secretary a call on 07738 271120 or email ruth@penelope-pitstop.co.uk. We will then ensure that a bee suit is ready for you to borrow and explain any details that you may need to know.
Every second Wednesday of the month (from March to October) at 7pm there will be a Drop in at the Apiary when you can join us in a cup of tea and ‘talk bees’.
STOP PRESS
As a result of the recent outbreak of EFB in the area and the ongoing response from the Seasonal Bee Inspector our Apiary remains on lockdown until Spring, when the next inspection by the SBI can take place. Further details of the resulting changes to the Rent a Hive scheme, and the sterling efforts of our maintenance team can be found in the November Newsletter.
As a further reminder to existing members that there annual BBKA / SBKA membership renewals are due next month, the Membership Secretary has sent out the "Invitation to Renew" emails, which all members should have received. Full instructions as to how to pay and to whom are contained in the email. Those not connected via email will have received a hard copy form.
The membership form below in the "Join the Quantock Division is solely intended for use by NEW members only. Once you have joined you will receive a different document / invitation to renew at the appropriate time.
From all of the Committee at QBKA have a relaxing and peaceful "close season". A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. (But go easy on the Mead!)
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Quantock Division PROGRAMME 2020 |
Learning and Teaching
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Beekeeping can be expensive. For this reason we have a strong focus on helping new beekeepers to set up their first hive properly but also at a budget rate. Wherever possible our learning programmes are free. In all of our training programmes we use conventional hives so that new beekeepers can learn to understand their bees using equipment that is easy to buy and look after. To help new beekeepers we have a full range of honey extraction equipment and wax handling appliances that can be borrowed.
We have negotiated a number of substantial grants to set up a new teaching (Sentinel) apiary on the outskirts of Bridgwater. It has many interesting features which include a wildlife pool, all weather demonstration hive, queen rearing equipment and state of the art microscopy equipment.
In 2017 we will (again) be running an afternoon session so that you can make your own skep (there is half a lorry load of straw ready for use),
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Since 2013 we have been hosts to the BBC for some of the (bee related) filming and recording for Farming Today, Springwatch, Points West and Inside the Animal Mind (with Chris Packham and Prof Adam Hart). This year, Kate Quinlan (of Food Unwrapped) came to learn how to use icing sugar as a method of Varroa control, and BBC One Spotlight came to film Asian Hornet traps.
The British Beekeepers Association has also used our resources for training and assessment events. Children from Williton Primary School came in the Summer to learn about keeping bees. The Devon Apicultural Research Group (DARG), Bridgwater Agricultural Society, Gardening Clubs, Women’s Institute groups and a Trade Union group have also visited. We also had our first Open Day.
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Contact Quantock Division
President Gordon Fraser |
Chairman Barry Hulatt |
Secretary Ruth Walker |
Treasurer / Membership Secretary Alison Monteith |
Newsletter Editor / Website Co-Ordinator Bill Monteith |
Examinations Co-Ordinator Grahame Gould |
Rent-a-Hive Coordinator Sue Anderson |
Librarian Sarah Allen |
Sentinel Hive Manager Barry Hulatt |
QBKA Committee All of the Elected Officers above, Ken Edwards, Fred Jones, Adrian Keirle, Bob Muckett, Mick Stenhouse, Don MacBeth, Nick Wills and Gary Best. |
Swarm Contacts Ken Edwards (01278 671544), Barry Hulatt (01458 210861), Nick Wills (01278 671781) |
Divisional Apiary Map
The map below shows the location of our divisional Spaxtan Rd Apiary near Bridgwater.
