WORLD BEE DAY 20th MAY 2021

Three out of four crops across the globe producing fruits, or seeds for use as human food depend, at least in part, on bees and other pollinators.
WE NEED MORE BEEKEEPERS!



​Teaching apiaries

Newark Training Apiary is managed by Andrew Barber who will be opening the Brackenhurst Apiary mid to late May and will prioritise those who came on last years course, by appointment. So he will be contacting participants individually.
The beginners course usually run at Coddington Village Hall will commence when dates are booked and are likely to start within a similar time period.
Nottingham Training Apiary is managed jointly by Alec Thomson and Bob Logan 
Due to the present COVID restrictions the Woodthorpe Grange Apiary will be available to members without booking a time slot.  Anyone wishing to attend should contact me at bob.logan@ntlworld.com, 
See latest Beemaster for more details.
Hucknall Training Apiary is being used for training for the basic Certificate but if you are a new beekeeper who would like to come along and examine a colony then please contact Janet: nottsbees.education@gmail.com
edited 11/08/2021-JB

Reporting the Presence of Varroa on BeeBase

​On 21st April, 2021 an amendment to the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) Order 2006 comes into force requiring beekeepers and or officials to report the presence of Varroa in any of the hives that they manage. This amendment will allow England to comply with the Animal Health Law which is necessary for future working relationships with the European Union. Similar arrangements are being made in Wales and Scotland. To make this simple, a tick box will be introduced to BeeBase, the voluntary register for beekeepers managed by the National Bee Unit. This will allow beekeepers and inspectors to report the presence or absence of Varroa. Although Varroa is known to be widespread, it continues to be one of the most serious pests faced by beekeepers. Reporting Varroa will contribute to the overall pest and disease surveillance work of the National Bee Unit and we are grateful for your assistance with this new simple measure. 
Posted 13/04/21 GD
BBKA Response to Latest Derogation
for the use of Neonicotinoids in the Planting of Spring Sugarbeet
Click on Link Below 
​neonics_letter_to_associations_v3_26-1-21.pdf
​GD 26/01/21

COVID-19 and BEEKEEPING
​DOWNLOAD THE LATEST COVID-19 DEFRA GUIDANCE AS OF 19th October 2020
Click on the Link
​
LISTEN TO DAVID KEMP on BBC Radio 4 in a series called
Apocalypse How Insectageddon    -    Recorded on December 2nd 2020     ​​Click this Link 
Could our food supplies be at risk from a worldwide decline in pollinating insects? Attention has focused on honey bees, but they're not the pollinators we should be worrying about. (Posted GD 20/12/20)
​
Starvation and Varroa Alert
Observations from beekeepers and Bee Inspectors across the UK suggest that some colonies of bees are becoming short of food.

Please monitor your colonies throughout the coming months and feed as required to ensure your bees do not starve. A standard full size British National colony needs between 20-25 kg of stores to successfully overwinter. If they need feeding at this time then fondant should be used. This should be placed above the brood nest so that the bees are able to access it easily.

For further information, please see the ‘Best Practice Guidance No. 7 - Feeding Bees Sugar’ on the following BeeBase Page: http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/index.cfm?pageid=167

It has also been observed that Varroa levels in some hives are starting to increase again. This may be due to a number of factors, but the exceptionally mild weather this autumn has encouraged some colonies to produce more brood than usual which has allowed an increase in mite reproduction.

Please monitor mite levels and treat accordingly.

For further information, please see the’ Managing Varroa’ Advisory leaflet on the following BeeBase Page: http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/index.cfm?pageid=167

Asian Hornet Threat and AHATs

Picture
The Asian hornet is still a threat.  last year was quiet in England but now is the time of year to be especially alert.  
It is likely that the resources of the NBU Bee Inspectors will be overwhelmed if more than 3 or 4 sightings occur at the same time. 
In conjunction with the NBU local BKAs have formed Asian Hornet Action Teams (AHATs) to increase the resources available to support the bee inspectors. Their role will be to confirm sightings/photos/place traps locally/watch for flight lines.
The Association AHATS must quickly become an important reserve on which the NBU can rely to keep outbreaks under control.
The Midlands are coming together for the purpose and Sam Hampton is a coordinator of the larger group.
Destruction of nests will be carried out  by pest control operators.
It is important to report any suspected sightings of this species as soon as possible.  Find out how to identify Asian hornet by downloading an Identification Guide, or visit the BeeBase website.
Yellow legs and a mostly black body are key features.
Note that the AH nests in the UK have not been as large as those found in France.
Ideally photographs and/or a specimen should also be obtained. 
​Sightings must be reported to the NNSS Non-native species secretariat.   alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk
​Any foundress queens that have escaped from nests last year will be about in spring.
​The AHAT coordinator for NBKA is Alec Thomson
See BeeMaster for more AHAT information.
Edited 12/08/21 JB
NBKA Council Meeting


​NEXT EVENTS

Nottingham Group Meetings

6th September 7.30pm
Winter preparations
and 
Information
on the
Honey Show


Have you seen the Linda and Maurice Jordan Beekeeping Video
Its now on
YouTube

Sad news- reported by Alec Thomson

'It is with a heavy heart that we have to record the passing away of Glyn Flowerdew on Thursday 20th August .Glyn had been seriously incapacitated for the past 18 months being stricken with motor neuron disease to which he eventually succumbed. Glyn became a member of the Notts Beekeepers Council fulfilling the role of Education Secretary for several years and he will be fondly remembered by many novice beekeepers who attended his introductory courses and his practical tuition sessions at his apiary at Newstead Abbey.
The funeral arrangements are now confirmed for' Friday 11th September at 1.30pm at Gedling Crematorium but due to Covid  attendance is reduced to 30 persons and will therefore be by invitation only.
Our sincere condolences go to Glynn's wife Eileen and his family.
A more detailed appreciation of Glynn will be included in next months 'Beemaster.'
Posted 28/08/2020

End of season mini nucs

A useful article on how to use the bees left in mating mini nucs at the end of the season. See under More-> "useful information".

BIBBA National Improvement Programme (NatBIP)

Details have been emailed to members.  If you haven't received your email and would like details please let me know.  There are now details on the BIBBA website.  The sessions are recorded so, if you have missed them, you can catch up.
​Janet Bates (27/08/20)


THINK YOU HAVE A SWARM!

Make sure they are NOT white tailed Bumblebees as these are often mistaken for Honeybees and we don't collect these. 
For Honeybee Swarms Visit the British Beekeepers Association website and enter your postcode to contact a local swarm collector for advice.
Honsec 31/05/20

BBKA MODULE EXAMS

The latest sitting of the module exams was to be in March but was cancelled at the last minute due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
The next sitting of the module exams is in November. Let's hope that the isolations, shielding and distancing are all past by then.
Study groups have also been cancelled for the time being.
Contact me if you are interested in coming to a study group. 
Janet Bates

EFB to Remain a Notifiable Disease.

There was a rumour that EFB (European Foul Brood) may be removed from the list of notifiable diseases. We have had a communication from DEFRA stating that EFB is to remain on the list of notifiable diseases. 
The other notifiable diseases are AFB (American Foul Brood), Small hive beetle and Tropilaelaps.
If you think you have found a notifiable disease in a colony then reassemble the hive. Reduce the entrance to prevent robbing. Put a voluntary standstill on your apiary and inform the local bee inspector and your local secretary.

Feeding bees- 

For further information, please see the ‘Best Practice Guidance No. 7 - Feeding Bees Sugar’ on the following BeeBase Page: http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/index.cfm?pageid=167

One of our meetings with members demonstrating how to make balms and soaps
Newark Group Meetings
Newark Group
are now back at the PUB
for meetings 3rd Monday Evening in the Month ​

​Nottingham Group Committee Meetings
Are now using Zoom Web Conferencing  for Committee Meetings

​​Useful Links

BBKA
BeeConnected
BeeBase
Bee Farmers Association
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