As Chairman in 2022 to 2023 I have run improver sessions for members of the Association. There has been good attendance and on average about 15 people came to those sessions that were organised. Timings were correct and there was a swarming session before swarming took place, there was a session on treatments before treatments needed to be done, and Keith ran a session on preparing hives for winter before all the wet weather arrived. There was also the opportunity for people to attend a half day on disease run by Dave Rudland of East Surrey Bees.
The Honey show was well attended (I badgered a lot of you to enter Honey) and there was a lot of discussion about the Asian hornet. This is going to be a challenge for each and everyone of us in the next two or three years. We also had the microscopes to look at and if that interests you, look out for a session that will be organised by Peter and Paul in the Spring. Next year we revert to a beginners’ course, but it will be a hybrid course and for most sessions beginners will have to join in with activities that will be organised for all of you members.
As I feel Asian hornets to be the main priority a workshop will be run in February to build a trap. Every Asian hornet Queen in February that is caught will prevent countless beehives being targeted in July, August and September.
The High Weald is one of the divisions of the Sussex Beekeeping Association. This year we are hosting their AGM and Dan Morgan, who is our seasonal bee inspector, will be talking about Asian Hornets and tracing the Asian hornet nest that was found in Eastbourne. I am hoping a fair number of members from different divisions will attend and lead to a healthy debate about trapping and tracing. You will be able to enter a hornet trap and there will be prize money (probably about £50). As we are hosting, this AGM will take place at Five Ashes village hall. It’s on March 2nd. Sign up if you have not already done so. It’s on our patch, so easy to get to.
Finally keep all those 2 L bottles to make traps in February at our workshop. You can then immediately hang them up. I look forward to seeing lots of you at that session. I can’t help feeling that everyone of you that does not put out a trap will inadvertently and unwittingly be causing a problem for everyone else. So, if you can’t come in February make sure you find out from others what to do.
I wish you all a successful Beekeeping season and may your bees give you lots of pleasure and lbs and lbs of honey.
Malcolm Wilkie – January 2024