Dear Member,

The impact of Coronavirus has seen the regrettable cancellation of the WBKA Convention 2020 and the cancellation of the March Module examinations.

Your associations courses, talks, and meetings will be curtailed during this crisis, but I am sure local associations and groups will check in on their more vulnerable members, especially those who may be confined and unable to check their out apiaries. Please do give support to your fellow members within your areas and keep in touch with a phone call, online or email, or other means available.

I have spoken to our regional Bee inspector for Wales, Frank Gellatly, for a position on Bee inspector visits and inspections this season and a view on Beekeepers attending out apiaries in the event of a further lock-down due to the virus.

Frank has said that as it stands Inspections starting 1st April will go ahead albeit adhering to Government guidelines on social isolation. Beekeeping tends to be carried out mostly as a solitary exercise so this should not be too difficult.

As for travelling to our out apiaries, there is no curtailment currently, but Frank will raise the matter of travel to out apiaries at the next NBU meeting and will keep us informed of any further developments.

The trustees and myself have the best interests of Welsh Beekeepers and will support you where we can and endeavour to keep you informed through our web site and associations.

I hope this unprecedented situation improves so we can get back to enjoying our Beekeeping season.

Lynda Christie (Chair)