We have a Master Beekeeper in NEWBKA

We are all very pleased to discover that NEWBKA committee member, Doctor Alan Woollhead has just heard that he has passed the final, 'Advanced Husbandry' exam to become a 'Master Beekeeper'. This is a major achievement and makes him, as far as I know, our first 'home grown' Master Beekeeper (there is another Master Beekeeper in Worcestershire, who recently moved into the county after she qualified).

Doctor Alan Woollhead practicing for his General Husbandry exam

Hanbury Countryside Show

A big thank you to everyone who helped at the Hanbury Countryside Show on Saturday 8th July 2018.

Membership Survey

All NEWBKA members will shortly be receiving a short legitimate survey in your e-mail inboxes and we would welcome your input please by completing and submitting your responses. The survey will be received from your chairperson katechase@hotmail.co.uk
Please do check your junk and spam folders if the survey is not within your main inbox in the next few days. Many thanks.

NEWBKA skep making day held in February, 2018

On the 17th February twelve NEWBKA members enjoyed a day of building their own skep, organised as part of the NEWBKA social calendar. The day involved instruction from the well known straw skep maker Mike Townsend, who demonstrates all over the country at BBKA events. The day was full of skill building, chat, fun and great home made food (Sandwiches, cakes and biscuits and especially the soups on a cold February day). 



Asian Hornets

As you may have heard in the news, there has recently been an Asian hornet found in Lancashire. This is possibly the first Asian hornet that has overwintered in the UK.

The National Bee Unit news story is http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/public/News/news.cfm#198 This page also has useful links to identification documents and what to do if you think you have found an Asian hornet.

If you are not already registered on the FERA beekeeper's website 'Beebase' we would strongly recommend that you do so at https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/public/register.cfm?. Registering (for free!) allows the FERA bee inspectors to know where your bees are kept and you will then be emailed if there are any disease outbreaks or non-native pests found near you.

Ensure you feed your stocks or they have sufficient stores!

It was essential to look in my beehives last weekend 24th/25th March and it soon became apparent the hives are completely out of stores. Due to all of the cold weather, and despite trying to bring in pollen for the small amount of brood and nectar from the willow catkins nearby, candy immediately on top of the brood nest is required. I had an opportunity to take some close up pictures of the brood at all stages, from new matchstick eggs, to pearly white larvae to sealed brood cells. See if you can spot these elements in the picture above.

Committee Meeting on Monday 5th March

We held our quarterly committee meeting last night, and covered events for the remainder of this year. Please see the 'meetings' and 'where we meet' pages to stay up to date for further details. In the meantime, we are delighted to be working on your committee this year.

From left to right:    Chris Tomlin, Ann Winspear, Kate Chase, Tim Vivian, Alan Woolhead,
                               Bob Powell, Alex Bignall and Greg Hunt.