WBKA

WBKA Convention – Saturday March 27th 2021

apiarymanager Events, WBKA

Dear Beekeepers

As you are all aware, the WBKA Convention, in its normal format as a face to face event at the Royal Welsh Showground, has had to be cancelled for a second year due to the pandemic.  In its place, the WBKA Events Team has organized a Virtual Convention and we really hope that you and your members will support this.  You can access all the details at https://convention.wbka.com/

There will be 4 webinar sessions including an opening address, two main lectures, and an ever popular Question Time session.  More details, and the links to register, can be found in the attached leaflet, as well as via the website.  Opening the registration links will give you full details of the talks and speakers. Registration is free and open to all. 

There will also be a series of ‘drop-in’ sessions.  There is no need to register in advance to join these – just click the link (or join by phone) using the details in the attached leaflet, or the website.  This is your chance to talk to the WBKA team on any matter.  Maybe you would like to see the WBKA supporting beekeepers and bees in a specific way; you may wish to know more about beekeeping assessments and modules; you can ask about the current vacancies in the WBKA team and learn what skills and commitment would be involved should you consider volunteering. Your feedback and suggestions are very valuable to the team and help us ensure that the WBKA supports you, the beekeepers of Wales, in the best way possible. We really want to hear from you.

Of course, many of you visit the convention to purchase equipment etc.  You can visit our virtual Trade Hall via the website where you will find links to our trade exhibitors.  Many have provided additional information on their products including video content so do have a look and start that shopping list! 

The various charities you so generously support when you visit the WBKA Convention have not been forgotten.  You can also visit them in the virtual Trade Hall.  Do please make a donation if you can to support the valuable work they continue to do. 

We know that a virtual convention is not what most of us would choose but we do hope you will support this alternative until we can again meet face to face. 

As well as on the website and in the WBKA Convention 2021 – flyer, details and registration links can be found on our Facebook page.  Please share as widely as possible in whatever way suits you best.

We are looking forward to seeing as many as possible of you on the day – Saturday March 27th.

Message from the WBKA

apiarymanager WBKA

Happy New Year to everyone and here’s hoping for a return to some form of normality in 2021 and to a better beekeeping season.

WBKA Convention 2021
With the continuing uncertainty caused by the pandemic the reluctant decision has been made to hold the 2021 WBKA Convention as an entirely virtual event on Saturday March 27th.  The Events team are working with the speakers and the traders on the details and more information will be available in the coming weeks.  We hope that you will support this event.

WBKA AGM 2021
This is a reminder that the 2021 AGM will be held on Saturday 6th March as a virtual event.  Associations are also reminded that all nominations and proposals to be consider by the AGM should be notified to the General Secretary by 14th January.  Nominations are sought for the positions of Trustee and President and any proposals for Honorary Life membership of the WBKA.  For more information please contact the General Secretary on secretary@wbka.com

WBKA Membership Secretary
Trish Calderbank of South Clwyd BKA has now taken over the role of WBKA Membership Secretary from David Kennedy.  Trish and David have been working closely together over the last few months to ensure a smooth hand over.  We would like to thank David for all his work over the last four years and to wish him well in his retirement.  We welcome Trish onto the team and look forward to working with her in the future.  To contact Trish please use membership@wbka.com

Welsh Beekeeper Magazine
The closing date for articles etc for the Spring edition of the Magazine is the end of January.  If there are any subjects that you would particularly like to see featured in the magazine please contact editor@wbka.com and we will commission an appropriate person to write on that subject.  We are also keen to hear from young beekeepers.  All submissions to be sent to editor@wbka.com

Module Exams
Closing date for the spring module exams is the end of January.  An application form can be found on the WBKA website or from your Association Secretary.  A perfect way to spend the long hours of lockdown.  The modules will be held on line over the weekend of 24th/25th April.  More information can be obtained from the WBKA website www.wbka.com or from emailing education@wbka.com

Webinars
If you have not yet registered for Professor Robert Pickard’s talk on ‘Nutrition in Honeybees and Humans’ on Tuesday, January 12th at 7.30 pm there is still time to do so.  The webinar is hosted by Cardiff BKA who have very kindly invited beekeepers in Wales to join them for the event.  For more information and to register use the following link:- https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1678272969972736781

The next WBKA hosted webinar will be on Thursday 14th January at 7.30pm when Wally Shaw will talk on ‘The Benefits of Locally Adapted Bees’.  The link for more information and to register is:-https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1407884369057418764

WBKA Webinar

apiarymanager Events, PBKA, WBKA

Spoon Butter and Other Things to do with Beeswax – Pauline Aslin

Join us for a webinar on Nov 19, 2020 at 7:30 PM GMT.

Register now!

When you mention ‘beekeeping’ people think of honey and the bees and maybe, after publicity in recent years, pollination, but you very rarely find someone, other than the odd wood-turner perhaps, who immediately thinks of beeswax.

Yet, if you keep bees you will inevitably acquire some beeswax. When we started beekeeping, within 2 years we had a 30lb honey bucket full of bits of brace-comb and frame scrapings, and then we had another bucket full of cappings, dripping with honey and some starting to ferment. What to do? We knew beeswax was precious but had no idea how to process and use it.

What we hope to do this evening is encourage those of you that have never cleaned up your beeswax scrapings, to have a go. And to give you all some ideas of things you can do with your beeswax for your own use, or to make wonderful gifts.

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

COVID advice from WBKA

apiarymanager Stories of Interest, WBKA

The Welsh Government, in partnership with DEFRA and the Scottish Government, have updated their guidance regarding beekeeping and COVID-19. As beekeepers they are asking you to be responsible and to ensure that you continue good beekeeping practices, effective stock management and health checks whilst observing the Government guidance on COVID-19. To view, or download, their latest guidance

 English:  http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/public/News/news.cfm#261

Welsh:  http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/downloadNews.cfm?id=175 

WBKA webinar – Preparing Bees for the Winter on Aug 27, 2020 at 7:30 PM BST

apiarymanager WBKA

Join the WBKA for a webinar on Aug 27, 2020 at 7:30 PM BST.

Register now!

Following on from the WBKA Varroa Control webinar on August 6th, Wally Shaw will talk about ensuring that your colonies are ready and well fed before the winter.

Registration for this webinar is open to all beekeepers and, as usual, we will open with a short, general Q&A session. Send your advance questions by email to l&d@wbka.com

We are interested to know how widely our webinars are viewed and so would appreciate you answering a couple of questions when registering for the event.

Links to recordings of our previous webinars can be found on the Welsh Beekeepers’ Association website www.wbka.com.

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

View System Requirements

Welsh beekeepers may also be interested to register for a webinar on September 16th at 7.30pm by WBKA Patron, Prof. Robert Pickard on Viruses in Honey Bees and Humans.  The talk is arranged by the Central Association of Beekeepers and is free to their members but open to non members for a fee of £3.  If you are interested in attending this webinar please follow the link below.