The Court Leet Approves our Honey at Avoncroft

The Bromsgrove Court Leet officially re-opened Avoncroft Museum on a sunny Bank Holiday Sunday.  Thanks to all the NEWBKA members who both assisted the formal proceedings and manned our stand to promote beekeeping to visitors of all ages.

The Bailiff at our Windmill Apiary with Alex Bignell and Bob Powell

Oyez at the Apiary (but don't upset the bees)

Cutting the ribbon

The  Windmill Apiary is officially open !

The moment of (honey tasting) truth

Alex's Avoncroft honey is certified !

Alex manning the NEWBKA stand

Bob and Alex explaining hive principles to a Court Leet member

Photos courtesy of Caroline Redfern

Bees in the News

Two Honeybees in Sao Paulo have shown that teamwork pays dividends - at least in getting the cap off a soft drink bottle.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9616351/Two-honeybees-work-lift-bottle-Fanta.html

We Spoke Too Late !

The Swarm Warning proved too late at the Avoncroft Windmill apiary today.   However, despite the rain, the situation was rescued by Alex Bignell and his Tuesday Meeting group, as shown below:

The Escapees

Impromptu Rain Cover

A New Home

Nearly there !

SWARM WARNING !

After the unprecedented cold weather in April and early May tending to keep bees in their hives, they are likely to be keen to swarm as soon as there is a hint of warmer weather. 

It is suggested you set up fully framed up bait hives, which might obligingly attract a passing swarm or into which you can put a captured swarm. 

Also check your colonies as soon as possible for queen cells and consider splitting them if necessary.

Avoncroft Orchard Apiary Repairs Completed

Thanks to the efforts of Alex Bignell, Ken Greatbatch and Peter Redfern in the face of heavy rain showers, the damage caused to the Avoncroft "Orchard" apiary by a falling tree has been repaired. 
It now looks better than ever, as shown in the photos below (taken during the brief sunny intervals). 

Honeybees join fight against Covid-19

Scientists in a Dutch university have been training honeybees to identify Covid-19 infections. 
To read how and why, please click:
https://modernfarmer.com/2021/05/bees-can-be-trained-to-detect-covid-19/