Diary of an Incompetent Beekeeper
CONFUSING ENTHUSIASM WITH RESULTS
When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there's no end to what you can't do.
25 April 2023
Find a local Swarm Collector
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09 February 2023
Edward (Ted) Chatley
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08 February 2023
Decline in wild bee species
Decline in wild bee species richness associated with honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) abundance in an urban ecosystem
Worth reading: https://peerj.com/articles/14699/
05 February 2023
Sticky situation: Spanish beekeepers bathe themselves in honey to demand help for ‘dying’ sector
04 February 2023
27 January 2023
Ulster Beekeepers' Association
The Ulster Beekeepers' Association will hold the Annual Conference in CAFRE, Greenmount Campus, Antrim on Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18.
The theme is 'Building Sustainable Beekeeping', and the keynote speaker will be Professor Juliana Rangel, of Texas A and M University.
Tickets can be booked via: https://buytickets.at/ulsterbeekeepersassociation.
26 January 2023
Yemen
Beekeeping in Yemen dates back to the 10th century, producing many varieties of delicious honey.
— Food and Agriculture Organization (@FAO) January 22, 2023
But conflict in the country has affected beekeepers & beekeeping.
🎥Thanks to a @FAO-@WorldBank project, beekeepers like Salim are producing honey again.#BeeEngaged #SaveTheBees pic.twitter.com/WOUo11sysG
18 January 2023
Spring Convention Trade Show
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10 January 2023
Researchers
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Previous Research Projects
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Area Associations
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06 January 2023
January In the Apiary 2023
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04 January 2023
The Beekeeper of Aleppo world premiere reveals cast
The Beekeeper of Aleppo debuts at Nottingham Playhouse (3 to 25 February), before heading to Liverpool Playhouse (1 to 11 March), Salisbury Playhouse (21 to 25 March), New Theatre Cardiff (28 March to 1 April), Theatre Severn Shrewsbury (4 to 8 April), Gaiety Theatre Dublin (11 to 15 April), The Lowry Salford (18 to 22 April), Theatre Royal Glasgow (25 to 29 April), Richmond Theatre (2 to 6 May), Theatre Royal Norwich (9 to 13 May), Cambridge Arts Theatre (16 to 20 May), Belgrade Theatre Coventry (23 to 27 May), Leeds Playouse (31 May to 3 June), Theatre Royal Newcastle Upon Tyne (6 to 10 June), Birmingham Rep (13 to 17 June), Theatre Royal Plymouth (20 to 24 June) and Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford (27 June to 1 July).
Details https://www.whatsonstage.com/nottingham-theatre/news/the-beekeeper-of-aleppo-world-premiere-cast_58097.html
29 December 2022
Beeswax from Scottish Parliament's hives is used to seal every Act
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/environment/scottish-parliament-holyroods-bee-population-has-grown-to-more-than-half-a-million-3967376
Holyrood’s bee population has grown to more than half a million bees since 2014 when the parliament became the first legislature in the UK to have beehives. There are now 11 beehives onsite. Honey from the hives is often on sale in the Scottish Parliament gift shop. And the beeswax, a by-product of beekeeping, is used to seal every act passed by the Scottish Parliament and to fill the Great Seal of Scotland.
15 December 2022
Ian McLean
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01 December 2022
Entomologists have found that honey bee lifespans are 50% shorter than in the 1970s
Entomologists from the University of Manitoba have found that for individual honey bees kept in a controlled laboratory environment, honey bee lifespans are 50% shorter than in the 1970s. When scientists modelled the effect of today’s shorter lifespans, the results corresponded with concerning factors, including increased colony loss and reduced honey production.
PS My life is definitely shorter now than it was in the 1970s.
30 November 2022
Bee listening devices
This gizmo is designed to listen to pollinator activity, for beekeepers to monitor activity with a view to interventions.
Find out more here https://www.agrisound.io/ and look at the kit here https://www.arnia.co/shop
09 November 2022
High Life
Years ago I was invited to keep bees on the top of a building, and took a tour of the roof. Apart from the aircon units, phone masts, and assorted aerials, it all looked good, with a well-protected central area. The hang-up: six flights of external stairs. Not for me!
07 November 2022
It's not just honey, it's Marks & Spencer honey
From https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/food-and-drink/perthshire-queen-bee-breeder-helps-create-marks-spencer-honey-3905259
Norman Chapman
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01 November 2022
20 October 2022
Find Beekeeping Near You
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19 October 2022
The Truth about Honey
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30 September 2022
It's that hornet again: Rayleigh, Essex
From https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2022-09-28/warning-after-asian-hornet-spotted-in-uk, Wednesday 28 September 2022 at 5:35pm
28 September 2022
Becoming a Beekeeper
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21 September 2022
The Truth about Honey
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20 September 2022
BBKA National Honey Day
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12 September 2022
The Truth about Honey
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09 September 2022
Bill Turnbull -broadcaster& beekeeper
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08 September 2022
The Truth about Honey
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Introduction
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23 August 2022
17 August 2022
Remembering
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11 August 2022
Examinations & Assessments
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Practical Assessments
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Syllabi for Written Exams
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Reading Lists for Written Exams
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05 August 2022
Karl Showler
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Geoffrey Hopkinson BEM NDB
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Edward Hill
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Sue Scott (Scottie)
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John Annett
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Bill & Mary Dartnall
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01 August 2022
August In the Apiary
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29 July 2022
John Hendrie
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Clare McGettigan
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Jane Medwell
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Jenny Morgan
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Howard Pool
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Jo Widdicombe
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28 July 2022
IMYB - 2019
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19 July 2022
Bees Needs Week
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30 June 2022
Becoming a Beekeeper
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09 June 2022
Find a local Swarm Collector
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07 June 2022
June In the Apiary
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01 June 2022
BBKA QR Codes
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31 May 2022
Bees feature at Queen's Ju-bee-lee Family Fun Days in Warwickshire
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25 May 2022
Award for 50 years of beekeeping
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20 May 2022
What UK Beekeepers are doing to Support World Bee Day
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10 May 2022
08 May 2022
Movie news...
The Bee Keeper
The fast-paced action-thriller is steeped in the mythology of beekeeping and follows a man's personal journey of vengeance which takes on very high stakes.
The film is based on a script by Kurt Wimmer, who is set produce along with Jason and Miramax chief Bill Block. The studio is aiming to start production later this year.
Block previously said: "'The Bee Keeper' explores universal themes with an unconventional story that will have fans sitting on the edge of their seats. We’re excited to bring another iconic and irresistible film to audiences around the globe."
29 April 2022
Information For Schools Considering Keeping Honey Bees
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Planning Documents
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26 April 2022
21 April 2022
Make a Donation
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20 April 2022
Junior Certificate
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13 April 2022
Ashbrow School
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Heron Hill School
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01 April 2022
Spring Convention Trade Show
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16 March 2022
BBKA News Editor Vacancy
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09 March 2022
02 March 2022
Government permits use of bee poison
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23 February 2022
Workshops and Seminars
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Spring Convention Lecturers
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12 January 2022
January In the Apiary
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04 January 2022
Beekeepers arrested in protest as Chile megadrought hits honey production
22 December 2021
Visiting our Education Centre
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20 December 2021
What we can offer
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Additional Resources
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02 December 2021
Sticky mess
Last year my colonies were chewing through up to 500 g of fondant every week. In total, each colony polished off around 12 kg.
This year, rather than replenish the hives every two weeks, I loaded one single fondant block of 12.5 kg (that's the pack size, no science here!) on the crown boards.
Today I discovered that the principle is good, but the practice is bad. Last year's I used old food tubs, which hold the fondant in place nicely. This year I started with a nicely squared-off block in a plastic bag. But the bag doesn't do the same job as a tub, and the whole thing has subsided into a giant sticky mess on the top of each hive.
Luckily, the bees seem not to mind.
01 December 2021
Algarve beekeeping in “state of calamity” due to wildfires and lack of support
Excerpt:
The Alentejo and Algarve account for around 20% of Portugal’s beehives and produce over 1.1 tons of honey, much of which is exported. However, wildfires, climate change and droughts have taken a toll on production levels, explains Melgarbe expert Paulo Ventura.
“In the Algarve, 6,000 hectares housing around 3,500 beehives will be sterile for at least two years,” Ventura said, adding that between 700 and 800 beehives were lost in the Eastern Algarve’s fires last summer and that others are dying due to the harsh conditions.
19 November 2021
Bees & Refugees
I like this story:
A charity founder and Syrian refugee has said beekeeping helps refugees to “break connection with any trauma”.
Ali Alzein started Bees & Refugees to save the native British black bee from extinction as well as foster “a sense of belonging in the UK’s refugee communities” by providing therapeutic workshops and a Build-Your-Own-Beehive project.
https://uk.style.yahoo.com/beekeeping-breaks-connection-trauma-refugees-070047981.html
17 November 2021
News from Brian: promises to swap jars of honey with Jordanian beekeeper
His Royal Highness Prince Charles pledged to send a jar of his honey to a fellow beekeeper after he saw first hand Jordan’s efforts to support refugees.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/charles-promises-swap-jars-honey-153338381.html
08 November 2021
BBKA Spring Convention 2022
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27 October 2021
Bees at the Institute of Directors
Jonathan Geldart, the Director General of the Institute of Directors, said:
“Bees are one of the most important animals on the planet, but their numbers are plummeting rapidly. I am delighted that we are able to play a small part in protecting bees and the vital role they play in the natural ecosystem.
“Quite apart from the environmental, educational and wellbeing benefits the bees will bring, I am also excited by the prospect of IoD members being able to enjoy honey made by our own little captains of industry.”
https://businessnewswales.com/bee1-sends-20000-welsh-bees-to-londons-pall-mall/
09 October 2021
East Lothian Courier: Congregations swarm to fund beekeeping
Excerpt
Abbey Church in North Berwick and Dirleton Kirk are supporting Bees Abroad, a UK-based charity that provides opportunities for people in low-income communities around the world to learn practical beekeeping skills to generate income and improve lives.
Members of the two congregations contributed more than £2,000 to support the Rwenzori Rural Talent project, which is expected to last for three to four years.
06 October 2021
Defra launches Healthy Bees Plan 2030
See https://www.gov.uk/government/news/a-boost-for-bees-as-defra-works-with-beekeepers-to-implement-the-healthy-bees-plan-2030
02 October 2021
Migratory beekeeping - is this Good or Bad?
Kashmir beekeepers head southward for warmth, honey and cash...
Fascinating to compare the life of these beekeepers with those in the US.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/kashmir-beekeepers-head-southward-warmth-034140812.html
29 September 2021
Becoming a Beekeeper
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27 September 2021
Honeyed sounds
400-year-old score based on bees inspires part of artist’s first major UK show
Australian artist Angelica Mesiti adapted a 17th-century composition based on the sound of bees in the hive for her exhibition in Edinburgh.
The choral piece was written by Elizabethan polymath Charles Butler, a pioneer in English beekeeping.
https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2021/09/27/400-year-old-score-based-on-bees-inspires-part-of-artists-first-major-uk-show/