Helen's were ! - but surely they'll never eat all that ..... or will they?

Time for some hefting !

If you're not sure if they are alive, try putting in the inspection boards in for a few days to see what the bees have been up to.
If they are alive and feeding on their stores, wax debris falling through the varroa floors will be seen on the inspection boards.
Here are some pictures of inspection boards that have been in 3 days.

I reckon the larger the debris, the larger the colony. Also in this picture the large debris pile seems to contain sugar crystals indicating they are eating fondant as well .

Good idea just to monitor varroa towards the end March using the inspection boards anyway

2014 AGM / Honey Show Results are as follows:

CLASS ONE - Clear Honey - Open
1st - Clare Adams
2nd - Robert Stovell
3rd - Helen Hadley

 CLASS TWO - Set Honey - Open
 1st - Brian Hopper
2nd - Helen Hadley
3rd - Samantha Bowles

 CLASS THREE - Cut Comb - Open
1st - Richard Miller
2nd - Brian Hopper

 CLASS FOUR - Clear or Set Honey - Novice
1st - Helen Searle
2nd - Helen Hadley
3rd - Anne Scoones

 CLASS FIVE - Cakes or Confectionery
1st - Helen Searle
2nd - David Tasker

 CLASS FIVE A - Biscuits
1st - Samantha Bowles

 CLASS SIX - Preserves & Mead
1st - Bob Hayes
2nd - Helen Hadley
3rd - Helen Searle

 CLASS SEVEN - Dipped Candle
 1st - Maggie Whitaker

 CLASS EIGHT - Moulded Candle
1st - Barbara Tasker
2nd - Helen Hadley
3rd - Maggie Whitaker

 CLASS NINE - Any other Wax, Pollen or Propolis Product
1st - Robert Stovell

CLASS TEN - Handmade Beekeeping item (Voted by the Attendees of the AGM)
1st - Helen Hadley
2nd - Peter Coxon
3rd - John Preston