Beecraft magazine

[tonybloke]

available FREE online from  www.bee-craft.com.
follow links for free digital copy. rgds, tony ;)

[tonybloke]

[Robert_Brenchley]

Just got mine yesterday. I have a regular subscription; it's well worth having if you're interested in bees.

[tonybloke]

I subscribe as well, robert, the link was for folk who don't (yet) ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

I thought you did, or you wouldn't have known about the offer. How many colonies do you have? I assume you've got some.

[tonybloke]

Am getting my first 2 'nucs' this year. I am very lucky to have Paul Metcalf https://secure.thorne.co.uk/popup/869.htm
as a tutor and apiarist at my college! he is sorting my first 2 colonies, I've already purchased and assembled 2 hives, commercial brood, national supers, top bee space. I've completed the introductiopn to bee - keeping 10 week course, have booked a place for the practical course starting in april (both courses run at my college, (evening classes). Not too bothered about the honey, but am interested in the pollination benefits (and possible mead  ;D ;D )
rgds, tony

[triffid]

Good luck with the nucs, Tony. Do you have a home already arranged for the bees? (Almost certainly, given how well prepared you are in all other respects.  :)

Mead: started my first batch off in autumn. Just wish I'd taken the plunge years ago: mead takes sooooo long to become drinkable.  :P

And as for "not too bothered about the honey"... can we quote you on that when you open the gate on the honey-extractor and your first harvest of liquid gold comes flowing through?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Any problems, please do post here, or join one (or more) of the internet beekeeping groups. Do take varroa treatments seriously, and don't use Apistan as it can't be relied on any more due to resistance. There are still people round here using it, ultimately it's fatal to their colonies, and sometimes to other peoples' as well!

[Jayb]

Thanks for the link, really interesting, although I'm no where near ready to start bee keeping-yet! I'm still gathering info and looking into practicalities at the mo. Good luck with yours, looking forward to your updates.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Where are you thinking of keeping them? This is the time to join the local Association; most of them have winter meetings, and you could arrange to see some bees once the weather warms up. Hives are expensive, unless they know of some going cheap. Otherwise, New Year is the time to buy, in Thorne's New Year sale.

[Jayb]

Hi Robert,

I am planning on keeping them at home, I think it will be suitable. I would love to join a group and or attend a beginners course but unfortunately not poss at moment (bit weak and feeble following a virus!)

Yes I had a bit of a look at equipment and prices, not cheap! Have you any thoughts to Thornes start up deal? Thought I might buy now so everything is in place and give myself time to get used to it all!

Interestingly I noticed today our post office is selling local honey from someone very close, so I thought I might go and say hello.

Also wondered if you could point me in the right direction of a internet Bee
group please.

[tonybloke]

http://www.wbka.com/
this is your regional association.
I think it's virtually impossible / bl**dy expensive to get Public Liability Insurance for bees without joining an association. btw
http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/filec.html#
is another website you should bookmark,
rgds, tony, ( another newbie bee keeper)

[Robert_Brenchley]

If you join the local Association you should get public liability through them, not that you'll need it. See if they've got any secondhand kit (you never know your luck) before buying new. Maybe you could link up with a local beekeeper who could act as a mentor. Thorne's kits are OK except that the standard kit comes with a galvanised smoker, which only lasts a few years while a stainless or copper one lasts a lifetime. I find leather gloves far too clumsy, and use the yellow washing up gloves you get from the supermarket. Whatever you do, get hives in the flat, they're not hard to knock up. Drill holes for the nails before you put them in, and get a rampin for putting the tacks into frames.

If you pay full price for the first hive, which is what I did, don't do it again. Get future woodenware from their winter sale and save a fortune.

[Robert_Brenchley]

The sun was out this afternoon, the temperature was about 50, and the bees were busy bringing in masses of hazel pollen.

[tonybloke]

None on my hazel or cobnut, so I guess no bee keepers that local to me ?

[Jayb]

Tony, your links are brill, have had a quick look and just what I was searching for. I will go back for a good read. How come my net searches didn't pick them up! Anyway thanks. I'm not sure I can be included as a newbie Bee keeper, bit too premature, but here's hoping.

Had not even thought about public liability.... I'm guessing as you have both mentioned it, to be on the safe side it's necessary, but even on your own land?

Robert, have to admit I had to look up rampin - oops fairly self-explanatory really!
Thanks for all you hints and tips much appreciated.  :)

[Jayb]

Nice and warm here too, but not a buzz, no bumble or bee :(

But lucky you :)

[mike.jones]

jay
try this link for a welcoming beekeeping forum
http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/
lots of useful info and a very friendly bunch

[Jayb]

Thanks for that, I m like a kid in a candy store at the mo  ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

None on my hazel or cobnut, so I guess no bee keepers that local to me ?

They won't fly far this time of year. I've got a big hazel at the bottom of the plot, and there are plenty more around. The girl thingy willow's coming along; once that starts producing pollen, the bees build up on it if it's warm enough for them to forage. Most years it is, last year it wasn't.

[tonybloke]

had a tour of the college apiary yesterday, all hives were busy on the snowdrops and hazel, and paul only lost 2 hives (so far) this winter.