BEEKEEPING SANS FRONTIERES
It is not unusual for us to receive bookings for our Introductory course from outside the Warwick District area. Indeed we get some from other Branch areas and even from outside
Warwickshire such as from Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire and Leicestershire. All are encouraged to, and many do, join their local associations. Nevertheless it came
something of a surprise even for us to receive an enquiry as to whether attendance was restricted to locals from………..Iceland…no less!
Intrigued, and wary of a scam, we replied rather cautiously but it appeared to be a genuine enquiry. Apparently, in Iceland, there is a bee society but unfortunately there has not been a course for the last two years although it is being considered for 2023. That course is held in Reykjavík over several weekends and Saeunn and Freyr live in the East. Apparently, there are difficulties in acquiring beehives and all the bees have to come from health certified sources which for Iceland means from Norway. They heard about us via google and are so keen to learn about beekeeping that they intend to fly over just for the weekend of the course. Now that is being keen!. What could we say to such enterprise but “Yes. You’re welcome”. It will be interesting to learn more about beekeeping in colder climes where long winters and short summers must be a challenge. No doubt there will be more of this in WB anon.
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
We thought we were being so very much on the ball when we alerted our members to the risk to our girls of the hot weather, combined with the peak in hive population and reduced nectar flow, was causing stores to be consumed at an alarming rate and that hives should be checked and supplementary feed provided if necessary. Little did we think of the consequences of this for demand on our co-op for ambrosia syrup. Fortunately, we had just received the season’s delivery of 8 tonnes but no one anticipated dispensing almost
2000 kg into members buckets in one day. Hats off to the lone member who persevered in filling and weighing over 150 buckets amidst the heat and the inevitable invasion of wasps from miles around. I hope the bees appreciated this herculean effort. Members certainly did.
SHOWS
Our shows programme will end in a frenzy of activity with events every weekend but one, from 29th August to the 9th of October. These are a great source of attendees for our training courses, offers of hosting beehives and requests for talks from the public as well as a one-to-one training opportunity by rubbing shoulders with more experienced beekeepers. Oh ! …. and great fun!. Please pray for dry weather.