Events

Wing Morphometry Course

apiarymanager Education & Training, Events

The Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association (BIBBA) are organising a wing morphometry weekend at Stoneleigh on 20/21 November 2010.

Morphometry is a useful tool for helping to identify the various sub-species of Apis mellifera and is particularly valuable in a breeding programme where it can indicate the racial purity of a sample of bees. This course will enable attendees to make two simple measurements of wing veins using a computer program and then plot the results on a graph.

This course is particularly suitable for those who wish to identify native and near native bees. Attendees will need to bring their own computers (which must have Microsoft Excel) ; detailed instructions will be given before the event. Cost – free to BIBBA members, £30 to non-members.

Booking is essential as spaces are limited. Book with Dinah Sweet dinah@dinahsweet.com

Course enquiries Roger Patterson roger-patterson@btconnect.com

BIBBA (www.bibba.com) aims to help those who are interested in our native and near native bees.

County Show Success

apiarymanager Events

We had a very successful show with lots of interest in the bees and our publicity material including  a ‘Honey Bee Facts’ flyer produced for the first time for use at the show.  Thanks you to the existing members who came and said hello to us.  We also had a number of enquiries from people who want to to start beekeeping – good luck to those of you who want to take this further.

Vanishing of the Bees – see the film

apiarymanager Bee Health, Events

‘The ‘Vanishing of the Bees‘ will be shown at the National Trust Stackpole Centre on Wednesday Feb 17th 7.30pm (running time 96 minutes) Free Entry. More info: Mike May 01646 661618.

In the UK around one fifth of honeybee hives were lost in the winter of 2008/09. Bees pollinate a third of the food we eat, and this contributes £200million a year to the UK economy. Vanishing of the Bees explores the mysterious collapse of the bee population across the planet and its greater meaning about mankind’s relationship with the natural world. In addition to studying our reliance on the honeybee as the cornerstone of modern agriculture, the documentary celebrates the ancient relationship between humans and bees. Filmmakers George Langworthy and Maryam Henein comment, “We were drawn to make this documentary because it encapsulates grand issues about our ecology, agriculture, economy and politics in a mystery about the amazing little honey bee. Having started production right as the story broke, we’ve been allowed an in depth and chronicled look at the lives and hearts of our characters.”