‘Special’ Apiary Training Session – Sunday 17th May at 2pm!

apiarymanager Bee Health, Education & Training, Events, PBKA, PBKA Apiary, PBKA Membership, PBKA Website, Scolton Beekeeping Centre, Starting Beekeeping, Stories of Interest, Training

Just to advise that the next apiary meeting of the season is on Sunday 17th May 2026 at the Woodland Apiary, Scolton Manor commencing at 2pm promptly.

As well as general hive inspections, we’re hoping to:

  • Install a nucleus colony into a hive
  • Introduce a mated Queen into a nuc
  • Administer an Oxalic Acid trickle treatment to a newly arrived swarm

BEGINNERS – Beginners are encouraged to attend! Please ensure you bring a bee suit (if you have one), sturdy footwear covering your ankles (i.e not Crocs!!), and suitable gloves, such as rubber Marigolds (e.g. not woollen gloves!)

If you do not have a bee suit (typically beginners/new members), then please advise us in good time if you can, as we have a limited number of bee suits available, which we can loan you for the session. N.B. You will need to bring your own boots and gloves as above however. It would be helpful if those people requiring a bee suit could arrive before 2pm in order to save time.

N.B. Apiary meetings are on Sundays, commencing promptly at 2pm, subject to weather conditions (please check the PBKA web page for any updates in that event

Scolton Manor Museum
Spittal
Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
SA62 5QL

Off the B4329 road, turn into Scolton Manor main entrance and keep left. Pass the old steam train on the right and go through the two sets of gates ahead (with the large Green Barn building on the right). Follow the lane, past the containers on the right, down to the Woodland Apiary, which is in front and just before railway line. There is a wooden beekeeping shed on the right.

Please park up the left hand track at the end of the lane, starting at the top and being sure not to block anyone in. Additional ‘Pay and Display’ parking is also available by the site shops, just before the steam train.

Contact details

If you have any queries, please email the Apiary Manager, David Moore, at pbkatrainingapiarymanager@gmail.com

Pic: Pete Hobbs 2026

Webinar – Forage Sources for Honey Bees with Lesley Jacques – Thursday, June 11th, 2026 7.30pm

apiarymanager Events, PBKA

Foraging Sources for Honey Bees with Lesley Jacques

Thursday, June 11th, 2026 7.30pm GMT

You are invited to register for a Zoom webinar!

When: Jun 11, 2026 07:30 PM London

Topic:  Forage Sources for Honey Bees with Lesley Jacques

Register in advance for this webinar:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VVlBrMeMRj-aLpUGD0G9Sg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

This presentation explores the forage resources that sustain honey bee colonies and explains why forage quality and availability are central to colony health and productivity. Drawing on research and practical beekeeping observations, we will look at how bees collect and use nectar, pollen, propolis, and water, and how these resources support brood rearing, thermo-regulation, communication, and disease resistance within the hive.

The talk also looks at the nutritional value of nectar and pollen, the importance of protein-rich forage plants, and the environmental factors that influence foraging behaviours. Bees are highly skilled at locating rewarding flowers, but the relationship is a two-way one, with flowers being equally well adapted to attract pollinators. That said, some apparently attractive landscapes can function as poor-quality “green deserts”, and as beekeepers, this should be a consideration with our apiary siting.

Suitable for beekeepers of all experience levels, this presentation combines practical relevance with a deeper understanding of the relationship between honey bees and their environment.

Lesley Jacques was awarded her Master Beekeeper qualification in 2022 and gained the NDB in 2024. Lesley is Vice Chair of Cheshire Beekeepers’ Association as well as being a founder member of Mid Cheshire Beekeepers.

Damp apiary meeting!🐝

apiarymanager PBKA, Scolton Beekeeping Centre, Swarms and Swarming, Training

Just as we said. ‘Yes, we’re going in….! It started raining and didn’t stop, not torrents, but enough to stop any inspecting!

But, we had an enjoyable Q&A on a range of topics, including queen rearing and swarming, which we’ll put into practice in due course.

The new beekeepers and more experienced ones didn’t seem disappointed.

Many thanks to Lesley, Aisha, John and Pete for helping things go smoothly.

Hope to see you all at the next meeting!

Pic by Linda Jones 2024

Next Apiary Training Session – Sunday 3rd May at 2pm!

apiarymanager Events, PBKA, PBKA Apiary, PBKA Membership, Scolton Beekeeping Centre, Starting Beekeeping, Training

Just to advise PBKA members that the next apiary meeting of the season is on Sunday 3rd May 2026 at the Woodland Apiary, Scolton Manor commencing at 2pm promptly.

BEGINNERS – Beginners (especially those who attended the Beginners’ Beekeeping Course), are welcome to attend! Please ensure you bring a bee suit (if you have one), sturdy footwear covering your ankles (i.e not Crocs!!), and suitable gloves, such as rubber Marigolds (e.g. not woollen gloves!)

If you do not have a bee suit (typically beginners/new members), then please advise us in good time if you can, as we have a limited number of bee suits available, which we can loan you for the session. N.B. You will need to bring your own boots and gloves as above however. It would be helpful if those people requiring a bee suit could arrive before 2pm in order to save time.

Apiary meetings are on Sundays, commencing promptly at 2pm, subject to weather conditions (please check the PBKA web page for any updates in that event

Scolton Manor Museum
Spittal
Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
SA62 5QL

Off the B4329 road, turn into Scolton Manor main entrance and keep left. Pass the old steam train on the right and go through the two sets of gates ahead (with the large Green Barn building on the right). Follow the lane, past the containers on the right, down to the Woodland Apiary, which is in front and just before railway line. There is a wooden beekeeping shed on the right.

Please park up the left hand track at the end of the lane, starting at the top and being sure not to block anyone in. Additional ‘Pay and Display’ parking is also available by the site shops, just before the steam train.

Contact details

If you have any queries, please email the Apiary Manager, David Moore, or call him on 07817 433808. David’s email address is pbkatrainingapiarymanager@gmail.com

Possible reasons for winter losses!🐝

apiarymanager Bee Health, Feeding Bees and Starvation, Foul Brood Diseases, Hornets, Neonicotinoids, Nosema, PBKA, Pests, Varroa

We have had reports of significant Honey Bee losses this winter. This can be for a variety of reasons including starvation, queen failure, undiagnosed/untreated disease, mite infestation, pesticides and of course, inclement weather.

Beekeepers may find the attached from the NBU of interest and perhaps act as a timely reminder to keep their eye on the ball with such risks as Varroa and Nosema for example, which have faded into the background somewhat, with the looming threat of the Yellow Legged Hornet!