Twenty or so now-happy members took advantage of our frame cleaning day last month. With over 600 frames cleaned plus numerous Queen excluders, crown boards and the odd poly hive, to say that we were kept
busy is an understatement. These figures confirm the continued popularity of this facility, but this is not provided without some considerable commitment from those members who ran things. With the switching on of the heaters in the wee small hours of the morning of the day concerned and the closing down and cleaning up extending the time into the early evening, it is no small task, so many thanks to Alan Deeley and Neil Shuttleworth for stepping up to the mark.
Members who came to the November meeting enjoyed a fascinating talk by Richard Rickitt, the co-editor of BeeCraft, about his beekeeping experiences and travels. From a pilgrimage to Buckfast Abbey, where
Brother Adam’s legacy is maintained only in the gift shop, to family picnics in carefully chosen (but sadly unconfirmed) drone congregation areas, Richard has travelled far and wide to follow our hobby and his
obsession – bees. Bees are found on the Coat of Arms of Manchester, and on many of the city’s buildings. Bees on the roof of Manchester Cathedral, not only pollinating city trees and flowers but, with the support of a charity “Volition”, are helping people, who are long-term unemployed gain work experience and skills. Another example of
“Therapbee “ value of our hobby. We learnt about bees in hives carved out within a living tree, a practice that dates back over 1000 years and still survives in Poland with one example in England namely bees in
Buckingham Palace Garden, who have wonderful forage but absolutely must not swarm during Royal Garden Parties. Richard was full of bee lore and bee tales, including recounting the work of a bee breeder, who
produced and sold 3000 Buckfast queens each year – rather more than a hobby for some.
Our Christmas party this year was something completely different from hitherto thanks to the inspiration and organisation of Judith Masson and Lottie Buckland aided, on the night by Chris Price and wunderkind, Betty
Buckland-Whordley. The function room at Kings Hill Nurseries was festooned with fairy lights and the table centre decoration augmented with slips of coloured foil and sweets. A revolving glitter ball and live guitar music completed the festive atmosphere. With a glass of prosecco and a hot baked potato from a van parked outside, any inhibitions were thrown off as the 45 attendees threw themselves into the party games and dancing that followed. Together with the inevitable bee chat, this was a great start to the festive season.
Bernard Brown (in festive headgear…)