Introduction to Beekeeping Course
The one day theory course taking place on October first is filling up fast with only four places left. If you want to find out more or to reserve a place don’t delay.
Thorne’s Windsor Sale – September 10th
Please see message below from Thorne’s with details of items on sale for those of you who may now plan to visit relatives in the area over that weekend – but from experience get there early!
Dear Beekeeper
We are now planning for the beekeeping equipment Sale Day at our Windsor branch.
More details below.
First, we want to tell you about our new plastic rapid-type feeder. It is rectangular and will hold 6 litres of syrup feed. The new design means that the hole in the feeder will fit on top of the central hole in a standard crownboard for all types of hives. They are now available online and in our branches at a special introductory price of £7.99.
We now have a Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/EH-Thorne-Beehives-Ltd/249052641772753 Do check it out from time to time. You can see pictures of our new site, new products and important news in the beekeeping community. We would urge you to read the message from Andy Wattam – the National Bee Inspector.
So, back to the Windsor Sale Day. Date is Saturday 10th September. 10.00am to 1.00pm Address is Oakley Green Farm, Oakley Green Road, Oakley Green, Nr Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 4PZ Tel 01753 83056
Below is a list of many of the bargains available.
Frames – second quality timber – in 50’s only
DN1 & SN1 24.00 DN4 & SN4 27.00
DN5 & SN5, BS Manley 35.00 Langs Deep, Shallow 35.00
14×12, MD Deep, Langs Jumbo 40.00 16×10 & 16 x 6 35.00
Dadant Manley 35.00
Hive Parts – second quality cedar.
National Super 12.00 National B/Body 15.00
National Open Mesh Floor 12.00 National Roof 16.00
National crownboard 7.00 Nat 14×12 B/Body 26.00
National Hive Stand 5.00 National Sloping Hive Stand 5.50
16×10 B/Body 20.00 Commercial Super 12.00
Smith Brood Body 16.00 Smith Super 12.00
Langs Brood Body 15.00 Langs Super 12.00
WBC Brood Body 10.00 WBC Super 7.50
WBC Lift 10.00 WBC Crownboard 7.00
Very good quality seconds – Western Red Cedar
Commercial Brood Body 25.00 Commercial Super 15.00
National Brood Body 18.00 National Super 15.00
National Ass. Open Mesh Floor 20.00
Bees on a Budget Hive 140.00
Miscellaneous
Frame Cleaner 1.50 Bee Brush 2.50
Narrow Plastic Ends 3.00 Secateurs 1.00
Economy Hive Strap 1.50 Ratchet Hive Strap 3.00
Castellated Mouseguard 2.00 Ventilated Mouseguard 2.00
Wire crimper 5.00 Yellow Hive Tool 2.00
H/D Hive tool 5.00 American Hive Tool 5.00
Frame Grip 5.00 Liquid Bee Smoke 1.00
Stainless Smoker 12.50 Harmless Excluders 1.00
Swarm Lure 3.50 Corner supports, set 4 50p
Porter Bee Escape 50p Rhombus Bee Escape 1.50
Circular Bee Escape 1.00 Uncapping Fork 2.50
Uncapping Knife 5.00 Cold Uncapping Tray (no frame holder) 20.00
Nylon Valve 5.00 Lactic Acid 5.00
Small Vitagreen feed 5.00 AFB Test Kit 2.50
Jacket and Hood 20.00 Jacket and veil 20.00
Full suit and Hood (adult) 35.00 Full suit and hood (child) 30.00
Hat and Veil 3.00 Occasional Jacket & Veil 5.00
Open Mesh Helmet 5.00 Pair Leather Gloves 5.00
100 Plastic Mini Pots 3.00 S/Steel Dbl Strainer 12.50
Conical Tap Strainer, S/S 10.00 Stainless Steel Valve 25.00
1000 Tamper Labels 10.00 Mini Strainer & Tank 30.00
Rect 8oz Comb Cutter, S/S 10.00 50 ‘4C’ 7.00
Plastic Queen Catcher 2.50
Plunger Marking cage 2.50 Clip Catcher 2.50
Telescopic Queen Cage 50p Butler Cage 1.00
Pollen Trap 5.00 Blow Torch 10.00
Rapid Feeder 3.50 1/2gal Contact Feeder 2.00
1 gal Feeder 3.50 Red Mason Bee Book 1.50
Frame Feeder 7.50 2.5kgs Apifonda (burst packaging) 2.50
20 Honey Servers 5.00 Belinda Bee 2.50
Coloured candle sheets, mixed colours £3.50 per 10
Special Introductory Offer
English Feeder 7.99
First come-first served so don’t be late!
If Windsor is too far, we have more Sales later in 2011. The Stockbridge branch sale will be Saturday 8th October and the Rand Open and Sale Day on Saturday 12th November.
The online mail order Winter Sale will begin in the second half of November.
Gill Smith
E.H. Thorne (Beehives) Ltd, Beehive Business Park, Rand, Market Rasen, LN8 5NJ
White Bees!
It is that time of the year when the invasive plant Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is in flower usually along river banks. This is a good late source of nectar and pollen for bees although the plant is in the top ten invasive plants identified by the Environment Agency for containment and control.
The flower deposits its white pollen on the bees which return to the hive with a distinctive white dusting. The honey from the nectar is said to be good. So good news for the bees is bad news for the environment and on balance the impact on other plants which would provide nectar and pollen at other times of the year means that beekeepers should play a part in controlling this plant.
WBKA Train the Trainer weekend – October 29th – 30th 2011
PBKA Members are invited to apply for one of two places at this training weekend to be held at the International Pavilion, on the Royal Welsh Agricultural Showground, starting at mid-day on Saturday 29th October and finishing after lunch on Sunday 30th October 2011.
This training event, sponsored and funded by the Welsh Regional Cooperative, is part of a national initiative under the Healthy Bees Plan to increase the number of beekeeper trainers and to help them with training materials with which they can start to plan and prepare sessions, based on the needs of their students. We particularly want to attract trainers who are willing to commit to improving their beekeeping knowledge and teaching skills.
Accommodation, food and drinks will be covered by our sponsor. You will be asked to provide the Association with a £30.00 returnable deposit per person which will be returned to you after you have attended the event.
How to apply
Members wishing to apply for a place on this event should submit an application by email to secretarypbka@hotmail.com or by post to John Dudman, PBKA Training, Sevenoaks, The Kilns, Llangwm, Haverfordwest, SA62 4HG.
Your application should include:
- Statement of any training experience you have.
- Why you wish to attend the course.
- What commitment you will make to training beekeepers following the event.
To arrive by 22nd September, 2011.
If your application is successful we will confirm this with you before October 1st and ask for your deposit.
Objectives
The single most important factor in the health of our bees is the knowledge of beekeepers. With the huge influx of new beekeepers this has put tremendous strain on those teaching beekeeping at all levels. This event will provide support in terms of resources, mentoring, practical advice and knowledge to those involved in teaching, demonstrating or mentoring beekeepers.
Format
A series of topics will be covered, plus an opportunity for those associations represented to set out what training they undertake at the moment.
Opportunities will also be provided for the exchange of ideas and best practice. We will have both a WHITE and YELLOW Course in the Case for members to view and comment on. Attendees are asked to be prepared with ideas and / or materials for these sessions.
Experienced trainers will have many excellent resources and schemes of work to share, while recently trained members will be able to relate their own experiences of what worked and what did not.
Accommodation
The Course will be held at the International Pavilion, overnight accommodation will be at Neuadd Henllan, which is also on the Royal Welsh Showground. The available accommodation is twin occupancy, meaning you’ll need to share a room.
The WBKA would like each association to send at least one person who is actively involved in teaching new beekeepers, and who did not attend the equivalent of this Course, held in March this year.
Speakers
Bill Cadmore(BBKA/FERA regional training coordinator) and others who are all actively involved in beekeeping practice and education at a national and local level.
Pembrokeshire Beekeepers' Association 