Beds BKA Talks:
These have now finished for the winter season, to resume in September. Advance notice of talks for Winter 2010/11 will be published in future newsletters, and in the Members Area of the website.
Some of these items may appear to be out of date, however they indicate the type of events the Association attends, and the training that is done.
Beds BKA 2010 Honey Show: This will be held on Saturday 18th September 2010 at Stockwood Park/Discovery Centre Luton. For new beekeepers, there is an excellent section on the Beds BKA Website about preparing honey and other items for shows, well worth a read. The Rules for 2010 are also on the Honey Show page. Please note, entry to the public will be after judging has finished, approximately 2pm.
Shows
Mile Road Allotments Day Sat. 8th May 2010. Contact Sue Cross 01234 764365
Young Farmers Show. Saturday 22nd May 2010, Pertenhall. contact Ray Smith 01234 771558 or Andrew Beer 01525 240235
Bedforshire Country Show, Saturday 10th/Sunday 11th July 2010, near Biggleswade. Contact Sue Cross 01234 764365
Langford Village Fete. Saturday 3rd July 2010 near Biggleswade. Contact Sue Cross 01234 764365
Mile Road Allotments Day Sat. 7th August 2010. Contact Sue Cross 01234 764365
Wrest Park Craft & Design Festival Saturday 28th to Monday 30th August 2010. Contact Sue Cross 01234 764365
Woodworks! Saturday 4th/Sunday 5th September 2010. Near Marston Moretaine. Contact Sue Cross 01234 764365
Dunstable Downs Festival Sunday 5th September 2010. Contact Sue Cross 01234 764365
Apple Day Bromham Sunday 17th October 2010. Contact Sue Cross 01234 764365
Training
BBKA Basic Training: The British Beekeeping Association has a structured education framework which aims to promote knowledge and skill in beekeeping. The Basic Assessment is a one hour practical and oral exam which is the starting point on this framework.
On Saturday 12th June 2010 we will be running a training day to prepare beekeepers for the Basic exam, with theory in the morning and practical beekeeping in the afternoon. If you have kept bees for two years or more and are interested in coming, please contact Gill Brewer on 01525 718550 or the_brewers@btinternet.com. Further training days are going to be arranged at Shefford and Stockwood Apiaries, so please still register your interest with Gill even if you cannot make this date.For more information or a copy of the syllabus, have a look at this link: http://www.britishbee.org.uk/examinations_and_assessments.php Having attained the Basic Certificate, beekeepers who wish to learn more can go on to sit written theory exams or practical husbandry exams (as per the Module 3 study group led by Fiona Cook).
Food Hygiene Course. Saturday 25th September 2010, 9.30am start. Cranfield. Cost approx £40. Open to non members, but places must be booked in advance. Contact Sue Lang 01234 764180 for more details.
Foul Brood Recognition: Sunday 25th July 2010. Stockwood Apiary Luton. This is with Keith Morgan our Regional Bee Inspector. Numbers are limited to 30, so please book your place with Mike Niemann.
Microscopy Course. Following the success of the day in 2009, Andy Johnston is considering holding another course in Autumn 2010. Please let Andy know if you would be interested in attending.
Queen Rearing Group: As announced at the AGM, Paul Walton would like to facilitate a group of people interested in Queen Rearing. Please contact Paul for more information.