2006 seemed the shortest beekeeping season ever for Johan and me. We waited for the temperatures to rise and the rain to stop, but this didn’t happen until the end of May, then everything was a mad rush.
The Hawaiian queens arrived on our shores during miserable weather and must have been the only immigrants to demand instant deportation. Eventually they settled down but were noticeably more frisky than our previous queens and were determined to abscond given the smallest opportunity causing great anxiety to our manager. The good news was that all colonies survived the previous winter although one weak colony was destroyed.
Our battle against EFB seemed successful although Varroa was a constant problem and continues to be so.
There are now mesh floors on all hives in the apiary.
Because of the extreme temperatures over the summer, the nectar flow diminished and we actually had to feed the bees - quite a shock.
John Hauxwell brought us a solar extractor and it has already supplied us with enough wax to enable a foundation exchange with KSB at the Honey Show.
Joe boiled all our dirty frames in his homemade outdoor soda water bath on his allotment and we picked quinces and crabapples whilst we waited for the water to heat. We now have clean, almost new frames - thank you Joe.
I finally purchased a new blow torch with an automatic ignition and a glow coil so that the flame can be seen by everyone and it cuts out when the trigger is released - foolproof then, so there should be no scorched trainers this year.
Johan had a great day out at Stoneleigh and shopped until the treasurer dropped. We already have a wonderful honey extractor in the shed which has proved invaluable yet again and we also have two electric ones available for hire from Margaret Jarvie, and the ancient plastic one can be borrowed from Angela as long as you remember not to put hot water in it as it has a split in the base.
Sadly, our benefactor, Ann Winzer died last year and we showed her relatives around the apiary and displayed the equipment she so kindly gave us. We have also been remembered in her will - a wonderful surprise.
We reared five queens last summer and four nuclei have been active this winter. Subsequent rearing sessions were cancelled due to the extreme heat as both bees and Martin had had enough - the apiary faces the sun.
Liz Jack cleared the vegetation outside the apiary door to enable easier access - an enormous amount of effort, so thank you Liz. We had to remove the ivy from the apiary walls because they are listed and sadly have to be kept clear of climbers.
Our shed opening party has become an annual celebration to usher in the new season and will be held again this year - crisps for Johan please, to keep him happy - and not the fat free version I thought I ought to buy him - they definitely don’t reach the inner manager.
The reorganisation of the adoptahive rota’s seem to work well but we will rethink the second year sessions which aren’t as effective. We would encourage the membership to join us during the apiary meetings if they have queries or just wish to socialise. We hope to act on suggestions received and have tea on the lawn! If you can think of ways to improve our sessions please let us know. On rereading the report for last year, I see the words ‘organise demonstrations’.
Oh dear - but we will try harder!
Angela Dougall - Assistant Apiary Manager