The association apiary has thrived this year which has made me very happy in contrast to two years ago when European Foul Brood was found on the Apiary and we had that huge bonfire.

On January 5th I planted our millennium tree, Tetradium Hupehensis, commonly known as the Chinese Bee Tree. It was introduced into this country in 1908 and grows better in poor soil so it should do well in the Apiary. It blooms in July/August when there is generally less forage available for bees and they love it. It seems to be healthy and growing.

In February all the colonies were fed with fondant which disappeared quite quickly.

Usually it is possible to have a quick look into the hives on a sunny day in March but I was away for most of the month so missed doing that and also missed seeing the bees working the crocuses which come up in the grass and under the silver birch tree.

The Association's four hives were first inspected on April 2nd. Three were fine but one had died out in the previous month so it was cleaned up and treated with acetic acid. By the end of the month the remaining three colonies were doing well and building up nicely. They were in the care of five adopt a hive members. It was often cold and windy during this month which made finding a suitable day to go through the hives rather tricky.

Will Turner organised the mending of the fence which may be completely renewed in the near future.

Knowing that there were seven prospective "Adopt-A-Hive" members, three new nucs were made up in readiness for them at the beginning of May so the Apiary looked quite busy on Federation Day when the Middlesex Federation members visited our Apiary for a cup of tea and a natter. The Apiary looked very attractive with the mown grass against a background of natural looking flowers and shrubs. There were three very large and active Bumble Bee nests on display as well as a brood box full of wild comb. Some members sat on the grass and enjoyed a picnic lunch while teas were served under a large white canopy.

On June 11th the seven new "Adopt-A-Hive" members were allotted three nucs which grew steadily and they all took off a small amount of honey at the end of July.

We set up Martin's hive for queen rearing and successfully produced ten new queens. It is always very satisfying to see the apideas dotted around the periphery of the Apiary.

James Morton, the Regional Bee Inspector, came to give a thorough look at all the Colonies in July and he gave them a clean bill of health. It always turns out to be a really warm and sunny day when James comes to us. He calls us the Costa del Beekeeping.

This year we treated for Varroa with Apistan which was put in at the end of July at the same time as clearer boards were put on to remove all the bees from the supers. The honey was subsequently removed and 100lbs were sold.

All the plants that Lizbeth put in last Spring really flourished. The bees particularly like the plant beside the pond. I don`t know what it is but neither does Lizbeth. Johan, in the meantime, mows the grass and I strim around the hives .

When the Apistan was removed in September, each hive was assessed for its amount of winter stores which were boosted with sugar syrup where necessary. I decided not to treat with Fumidol B against Nosema this year as there is less likelihood of infection with new frames of wax . I intend to try and keep it this way by changing old frames regularly.

The Apiary gets checked every now and then during the Winter, especially after particularly rough weather, and, so far, all looks secure.

We are introducing some Saturday and Thursday evening visits next year. It will be interesting to see if they are useful.

Apiary reports for:- 2000 - 01 - 02 - 03 - 04 - 05 - 06