First words by the Editor ...

I was walking down my garden path the other day with my mind in neutral, when my day dream was broken by the sound of buzzing bees. Looking round I found them busily working Mahonia x Media Charity. This was a warm afternoon in mid November, although to my way of thinking only just flying weather. It was not the odd bee but dozens making enough noise to wake me out of my reverie. Mahonia x Media Charity is one of the hybrids between M japonica and M lomariifolia. It will continue flowering most of the winter when the temperature is high enough with nine inch spikes of yellow flowers which bees work for nectar only. After pollination small berries are formed which become purple when ripe and readily devoured by birds. It is an evergreen with spiny holly like leaves. Mine is about seven feet high and four feet wide at the top, its shape is triangular - narrow at the base and wide at the top and at that size is about as big as it will get. It originates from the western side of North America - hence its common name of Oregon Grape. The most frequently seen Mahonia is Mahonia aquifolium. Liked by bees, and flowers in the spring. The leaves turn red in the autumn."

A week previous to this, on Guy Fawkes day, it was an unseasonably warm day and queen wasps and queen bumblebees were flying. Apart from the mahonia I have just mentioned, (which they were not working) there is nothing for them to forage on. I would have expected them to be in hibernation by now and wonder what chance they have for surviving the winter as they are using energy that is required for survival. Do they go into hibernation and if the weather warms up start flying again looking for forage to build up fat reserves?

We are in the depths of winter - those dark days that go on to "the Spring" that never gets any closer. Christmas and New Year keep us occupied for a while and then nothing until March. If you like walking or going round houses and gardens, then I have just the thing for you. A visit to Hodsock Priory in Nottinghamshire. Situated off the B6045 at Blyth and about two miles from the A1(M). Being well signposted, it is easy to find. Hodsock Priory is renowned for its snowdrops and winter flowers.

Tom Robinson mentioned it while he was Secretary and it also had a good write up in "The Beekeepers Quarterly" in February 2002. My wife and I paid a visit last February. You will find snowdrops, cyclamen, hellebores, dogwoods, and daffodils in natural woodland settings and although the gardens are only open during the snowdrop flowering season, we could see rhododendrons and masses of bluebells waiting to come into flower. Of specific interest to beekeepers is a small area to one side with replica’s of old style beehives including a Stewarton and a Neighbour with a glass bell jar on top for cut comb. Because of the proximity of the public, I doubt if they contained any bees. It was a cold day when we visited so I did not see any bees working the snowdrops. There is a small lake with a stream running through the grounds, and sat by the lake was one of my favourite ducks - the Cayuga - also known as the Black East Indie. As its name suggests it is black in colour, but only from a distance. Get closer and with sunlight, you see iridescent dark blues and greens. It is not kept commercially but is kept by gourmets because their superb game flavour. Its origins are in North America.

Our AGM and Honey Show was held at Murton on the evening of Wednesday 15 October.

Chairman David Aston reported on the success of this year’s "Introduction to Beekeeping" course run by Pam Todd. Unfortunately Pam is leaving us shortly but Sue Hesp is taking her place as course organiser.

Our auction was a success as was the one organised to sell Jim Britten’s equipment – a report on which you will find further on in "Combings".

Our new website was set up during the autumn by Linda Carey and Margaret Langstaff and that too has been a success. If you have any thoughts on topics for inclusion on the web site, then contact Linda. It was shown at the meeting to an appreciative audience.

Ken Barran was thanked for the work he has put in maintaining the Bee Pavilion building and grounds. Ken also looked after the bees at Murton.

The Treasurer’s report was read and accepted.

Committee members Alan Johnston and Pam Todd resigned from the Committee and were thanked for their service. Russell Carey was elected onto the Committee. The position of Spay Liaison Officer vacated by Alan Johnston was filled by Jenny Smith. The remainder of the committee were re-elected en bloc.

A working party is wanted to help with maintenance work at Murton. If you would like to help then contact Ken Barran on 01757 708925. Any time you can give will be appreciated.

An item of importance ...

Secretary Colin Hattee gave notice that he will relinquish his post as Secretary at the AGM in October 2004. We will therefore require a new Secretary then. If you would like to step into Colin’s shoes, please get in touch.

While the AGM was being held in one room, our Annual Honey Show was being held in the room alongside. This year’s show was increased to 20 classes from last years 14. This was at the behest of members. There where 14 exhibiters with 89 exhibits compared to last years 14 exhibiters and 70 exhibits – a welcome increase. Colin Hattee came first with 16 points and was awarded the Alf Race Memorial cup. Second was Bob Hirst with 14 points, John Bowes came third with 12 points and Ann Johnson and John Fuller joint fourth with 11 points. You can see from the scores that it was a close run competition with only four points between first and third place.

I introduced a new trophy this year to be awarded to the winner of the class "Block of beeswax over 1lb in weight". The first recipient was Jim Elliot. Jim is a regular exhibitor at our Honey Show and has won the Alf Race cup on several occasions. The Honey Show sub Committee thought the show went without a hitch.

There has been a marked interest in beekeeping over the last couple of years. BBC television’s Look North did an item on a beginners class run by Doncaster beekeepers and a comment was made then about the popularity of the craft. Our own beginner’s course was a huge success with a class of 19. I send information to people who show an interest in beekeeping or becoming a member of York BKA. The pack contains a booklet from Northern Bee Books and Thorne’s catalogue. I commented to Thorne’s and Northern Bee Books about the increased interest shown in beekeeping in York, to be told that this interest was nationwide.

By now you will have received your booking form for our annual dinner which is to be held again at the Kexby Bridge Hotel on the Hull road to the east of York. The menu this year gives you a greater choice of dishes and represents good value for money. The hotel is large and I doubt if there will be any shortage of places for the dinner. Nonetheless I urge you to book your place early. It is an informal gathering for members, their spouses and friends.

At the AGM Foul Brood Officer Mike Booth enrolled as a member of York BKA. Having Mike as a member can only be an asset to our Association.

In your September 03 edition of "Combings" I gave you the wrong e-mail address for Mike. If you made a note of it you will now have to amend it. My apologies.

I still want members to submit articles for printing in "Combings" on any subject – it does not have to be bee related. I am looking for one of you to write on topics such as photography, meteorology (the weather is always a good talking point), biology, entomology and horticulture and a farmer to explain why he plants seed at a certain time and what determines what and when a crop is grown. I would also like someone to research topics for me on specific subjects – people that shaped beekeeping history, inventions that made the craft easier are two topics that come to mind. I find that I do not have the time research all the ideas I have and produce the magazine, as well as looking after my bees and garden so assistance in doing research will be a big help.

Don’t forget that you can advertise any surplus equipment that you have for sale in "Combings" and also ask for items that you want. There is no charge. It is all part of the service offered by York Beekeepers.

Selling honey to retail outlets as I do, means that from time to time my honey is taken by Trading Standards Officers for analysis. The other day I received a news letter from the East Riding Trading Standards. It covered many topics unrelated to bees and honey except for one, and that was concerned with selling products under weight and stated that to do so you risk a fine of up to £5,000. My reason for raising the topic stems from our Honey Show. Judge Ivor Flatman pointed out a couple of jars that where clearly underweight. It was possible to see daylight between the bottom of the lid and the surface of the honey. In my experience to give full measure the honey is close to the rim of the jar.

You will have received the final edition of "Beekeepers News" published by Thorne’s. It ran to 100 editions over 25 years. I would like to think that your "Combings" magazine will still be going in 25 years time. Hang on to it. It may become a collector’s item in years to come.

In BBKA News number 143 of October 2003 there is a report under the heading "Exotic Pest Legislation" that the Small Hive Beetle (Aethina tumida), a native of Southern Africa and causing major problems in America and Tropilaelaps clareae a mite native to Asia that causes damage similar to varroa, are both notifiable if found and must be reported to DEFRA. Both pests have the potential to cause major damage to UK beekeeping. Foul Brood Officers are looking out for them during routine inspections of colonies of bees. I mentioned the Small Hive beetle in the June edition of "Combings". I have copies of the Central Science Laboratory leaflet on the subject. If you would like a copy, give me a ring and I will bring it to our next meeting.

I want to remind you that your subscription to York BKA is due now. If your subscription is not received by the 31 December 2003 your name will be deleted from the membership list. The subscription is £20.00 per annum and should be sent to Treasurer William Johnson.

Enclosed with your copy of "Combings" are details of the Yorkshire BKA Annual Foundation Offer. In the past it has been Thorne’s foundation and has always been good value. Your completed order form should be returned to Colin Hattee by Monday 15th December. It does not give you a lot of time to get your order in, but if left any longer we will be into the Christmas mail rush.

Continuing the snowdrop theme - IT IS SAID that:

When Eve stood in the wilderness after being banished from the Garden of Eden for eating the forbidden apple she burst into tears. When her tears touched the ground they became snowdrops, and God took pity on her and snowdrops have flowered every year ever since.

History of York & District Beekeepers Association by Alf Race (President 19?? to 1986)

Russell Carey has sent me this article which I shall do over the next few issues of "Combings". There are blanks in Mr Race's narrative. If you can fill any of them then please drop me a line.

Many organisations of beekeepers ended with the 1914 war and the outbreak of the "Isle of Wight" disease, until beekeeping recovered about 10 years later. The New Earswick Association must have started during the latter part of these 10 years (1914-1924) and the York and District started in 1921. By 1924/5 we had a membership of 21 and by 1946 York had 70 members, New Earswick had 76 and Ousedale (later taken over by York) had 120. With the end of sugar rationing and the decline in beekeeping after the Second World War, the New Earswick Association was invited to our functions and was taken over by York shortly afterwards.

In those days such notable beekeepers as Mr J A Rowntree and Mr A R Minney kept New Earswick alive whilst Mr C P Wadsworth did the same for Ousedale. Mr Minney and Mr Wadsworth were later to become prominent members of the York Association. The first Secretary for York was, I believe, a lady who later left the district for the south of England, but continued to pay her annual subscription by bankers order for many years afterwards until her death. Mr J R Cass then took over her job for the next 10 years. He was a big friend of Mr W Hamilton and Mr J R Graham. The meetings were then held in the Reehabites Hall in Nessgate with Mr C P Neat as Chairman and later in 1949 Mr G W Stephenson of Carr Lane. It is interesting to remember that about this time Mr W. Lockwood, whom present members will know as our Honey Show Judge, was giving us talks occasionally, one being "Semi-Commercial Beekeeping. Also Mr Austin Hyde, School Master of Lady Lumley's School, Pickering, and a nationally famous beekeeper was a frequent visitor to our Association meetings. Mr E W Wright succeeded Mr J R Cass with Rev C H S Million of Skirpenbeck as President and by this time the membership had dropped considerably, mainly due to the end of sugar rationing.

The financial position was also deteriorating during these years with subscriptions amounting to about £15 and the expenditure sometimes exceeding this. The balance was also in the region of £15.

Editors note: Mr W Lockwood whose name is mentioned in Mr Race’s narrative remained our honey judge until recently and is still a member of our Association. He must be our longest serving member. In another document in my possession, Reehabites Hall is referred to as Recabites Chambers. Can anyone enlighten me? Recabites sounds as though it could be a religious organisation.

Winter Healthcheck … by David Aston

Who knows what the weather will be like by the time you read this edition's Healthcheck? British winters usually all have one thing in common and that is they are damp. Damp cause’s bee colonies real stress as it helps mould growth on combs and the fermentation of honey stores and affects the temperature regime in the cluster. So what can we do to help?

Have the hives on stands so there is a good flow of air under the floors.
Make sure the hives are weather-tight.
Help ensure there is good through ventilation in the hive.
Don’t put blankets etc on-top of the crown board; bees don’t need to be kept warm but they do need to be kept dry.
Open mesh floors are a good way of helping achieve a good through ventilation and it is now generally recognised that single brood colonies will over winter on open mesh floors as well as if not better than those on solid floors.

What else should we be doing?

Have you taken all the Bayvoral/Apistan strips out of your colonies? Leaving them in the colonies can help natural selection select for pyrethroid resistant mites.

Have you taken precautions to prevent mice getting in? There are disadvantages in using the slotted or holed zinc mouse guards because in the spring when bees need all the pollen they can get such guards will often strip the pollen loads from the legs of the foragers as they climb through the mouse guard. I now use entrance blocks where the entrances are reduced to the size that a mouse skull cannot pass.

Make sure you fumigate any combs you are storing over winter. Wax moth can be a real problem and it is not helped by the fact that larvae of the Greater Wax Moth are being reared commercially for feeding birds. If wax moth does reduce your comb to a mess not only do you lose the comb but I have found bees are reluctant to work the foundation put into frames that have been reclaimed from moth infested combs unless the frames are very thoroughly scrubbed.

The Honey (England) Regulations 2003

Alan Johnston has read through the new Honey Regulations (a daunting task as it is all in legal speak) to give you the salient points. These run to thirteen sides of A4 contained in New Regulations. A telephone call from a friendly Environmental Health Officer early in September 2003 alerted me to the existence of a new set of Honey Regulations – Statutory Instrument 2003 No 2243. "The Honey (England) Regulations 2003." I was somewhat surprised (shocked actually) as I’d heard nothing of their impending arrival at either local, area or national level. There has since been a small article in the October 03 issue of BBKA News, but what follows is a more detailed summary of the regulations, and a report of a telephone call to Thorne’s at Wragby outlining their understanding of the situation.

They’re in now …

These new regulations revoke and replace the current "Honey Regulations 1976". They came into force on the 25 September 2003 – so they are in and legal NOW, regardless of the Trading Standards Discretion referred to in the BBKA article. The purpose of the new regulations is to further standardise ("harmonise" in Euro speak) the honey regulations of member States. They are broadly in line with the 1976 regulations, but differ in seven main areas.

Main Changes … 

There is a new requirement to label the country or countries of origin where the honey was harvested. This is aimed particularly at the import/export market, so that the buying public can tell where their honey originated. Does it apply English honey for sale in England? In brief, yes, even though it may have "Yorkshire Honey" boldly displayed, as it may fall into the hands of a daft Frenchman who doesn’t know where Yorkshire is! Thorne’s reckon that the word "England" after the producers name should do the trick, but it is still under discussion.

There is a new regulation for finely filtered honey which must be labelled as "Filtered Honey". The new regulations acknowledge the distinction between coarse and fine filtering, but a letter to the Food Standards Agency brought a reply which refused to specify a particular filter size, which would have helped to define "Fine Filtered". So, the regulations state, "… where fine filters are used such that a significant amount of pollen is removed eg where honey is finely filtered to improve the shelf life and clarity, the product will need to be described as "Filtered Honey" and not simply "honey". This indicates a need for an addition to the labels of many York BKA members.

There is an additional labelling requirement for "Bakers Honey". This really applies only to the commercial or semi commercial operations of perhaps a few members. Bakers honey, "….. suitable for industrial uses or as an ingredient in other food stuffs which are then processed". Must be fully and accurately labelled as such on bulk containers and on accompanying trade documents. Filtered honey and bakers honey may not be labelled with additional information on the floral or vegetable origin; regional or topographical origin; or specific quality criteria.

Alan makes a comment here: "I’m going to do a bit more research on this. It seems to imply that if you produce finely filtered honey, then you can’t label it "Yorkshire" or "Borage"". Alan has contacted York Trading Standards who confirmed his thoughts. If you filter honey you cannot give it a geographical or floral name, regardless of the fineness or other wise of your filter. Nor would they define what constitutes a fine filter.

New requirements on the electrical conductivity of honey …

For those that really want to know, the regulations specify the new level as not more than 0.8 mS/cm. In itself, it’s minutia, but it is part of a larger set of figures aimed at ensuring that our honey is not too watery or to old, and hasn’t been over heated during extraction, filtering or bottling. If we’ve got all that right, then electrical activity levels will be OK.

HMF limits have been reduced from 80mg/kg to 40 mg/kg. Similar comments to paragraph 5 really. HMF is a product of sugar breakdown. Levels increase with the age of the honey and the temperatures to which is has been subjected. During extraction, filtering and bottling, try not to go above 35º-38ºC, at which temperatures the honey will flow freely and if you do store it, try not to do so for more than twelve months and at a temperature of less than 10ºC.

Various other (fairly minor) bits and pieces …

This is to cover all sections and includes technical information about fructose, glucose and sucrose content for single crop honeys (including borage), the moisture content (generally 20%, heather 23%) and diastase activity levels.

Implications …

The BBKA article was fairly laid back about the changes, indicating that discretion is likely to be used in their enforcement until the end of the 2004 beekeeping season. It hasn’t resulted in Thorne’s changing all their print set ups either so, in the words of Corporal Jones, "don’t panic". But be aware that you will need to check up to see where it may affect you as an individual.

Information sources …

Ring your local Trading Standards Officer (or better still, how about capturing one and dragging the poor soul to a winter meeting to explain it all?) or for those of you who are plumbed into the internet try: http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2003/20032243.htm

Editors note:  In a note from David Aston he states that "Filtered Honey" means "ultra filtered", and does not include techniques used by hobby beekeepers. This was also my interpretation of the rules. I am surprised that the BBKA did not give us any advance warning that these new rules were in the offing. They are not the sort of thing that can be produced overnight. When they did come out, instead of explaining them in detail as Alan has, we were referred to a website to find out for yourself. If you don’t have the facilities to do so – then tough.

The Statutory Instrument and guidance notes to not give an address of HM Stationery Office, just a web address. About the rules themselves, you are referred to the Food Standards Agency in London. The Food Standards Agency have offices in all large towns. Reading the rules I find them to be very vague and open to different interpretation by different people, which can lead to conflict which in extreme cases could lead to prosecution, for the law to decide and set a precedent Not the best way to do the job, when all this should be resolved in the drafting of the rules. Read the guidance notes, page7, "Reserved Descriptions – Filtered Honey". Let me know your thoughts on the topic.

Who’s Who … Pam Todd

As you may have heard, Pam Todd and her bee equipment (but no bees!) will be leaving York in November to settle in sunnier climes - Northern Italy. This is her account of how she became interested in keeping bees.

Arrivederci York and District!

I started beekeeping only 6 years ago, under the able tutorage of Bill Bell, and got the beekeeping bug pretty badly. Bill supplied me with my first colony in the summer of 1997, soon to be joined by a swarm which was transported at very slow speed along the M62 from Rochdale in Lancashire. The two colonies settled well in a quiet corner of the garden, just behind the shed, and provided just enough honey that first year to encourage the novice beekeeper!

1998 saw the first two colonies increase to four, as artificial swarming was practised (have you ever seen anyone else carry out an artificial swarm procedure with an instruction book propped up on a dustbin by the hives?). All went well and the honey flowed! The neighbours were just great - no one objected, and the direct route up the track to the rape fields behind our row of houses was soon labelled the bee motorway, as many thousands of bees took the shortest route to the forage and back again. Sadly, later that season determined wasps (who refused to be put off and continued robbing until Boxing Day!) finished off three of the colonies and thus 1999 became a year of build up in the apiary.

I was determined that I should not lose 75% of my colonies again. Through purchase and swarm collection (risky but I can honestly say I have never produced a bad tempered or diseased colony by taking swarms) my apiaries extended to three - two on neighbouring farms - and the colonies to over 20.

I joined YDBKA, if I remember rightly, in my second year of beekeeping. Fantastic organisation - lots of friendly people, unstinting support and an interesting programmes of talks and events. But it was only last year that I joined the committee and took on the role of Education Officer. What a year it has been! The introductory course, held over nine weeks in the spring and summer was very popular - 19 new members and all keen! It was a privilege to meet them and, through the excellent teaching of all the tutors, to nurture their interest with beekeeping theory and practical sessions. Unfortunately, I will not be here to repeat this next year but all is not lost - my Education role is being ably fulfilled by Sue Hesp who has already got a list of 17 trainees for 2004!

For those of you that know that I work for the BEST beekeeping magazine, Bee Craft, as Deputy Editor and Display Advertisement Manager, here is a short history of my involvement with Bee Craft. It was about 3 years ago that I saw an advertisement in Beecraft inviting applications for the post of Display Advertising Manager. I applied - after checking that I would actually be paid for the job! After a somewhat daunting interview in London I was in! I enjoyed that work (and still do!) because it brings you into close association with the advertisers -large companies and small- who are trying to make a living from beekeeping, just as some of us are.

But bigger and better things beckoned! In late 2001, Beecraft lost its Deputy Editor. I heard about the vacancy before an advertisement was placed in Beecraft for a replacement and decided to send for the job spec. I realised I did not have all the qualifications (can anyone of you say they are competent with dtp packages, including a little known one called Ventura?) but I applied anyway - nothing ventured, nothing gained. Again - an interview, this time over the phone as they knew my face and temperament. Then the wait - all of four months while the Beecraft board of directors mulled over the merits of the four applicants. In the end I was offered the job - and the Board also appointed a second Deputy Editor as Technical Manager to deal with the type setting and Ventura! Now, just like the honeybee colonies, Beecraft is run (and, I have heard it said - very competently!) by four dedicated women (don't forget Alison, our secretary!), who all know their jobs inside out! For those of you who still do not take Beecraft - go for it; at only £18 a year, it's a great read for all beekeepers! I will still be working for Bee Craft while living in Italy.

So, in conclusion, I will miss you all very much. Anyone want a holiday in Italy? Free bed and board for those arriving with either paint brush or hammer! And to get you in the mood for beekeeping in Italy - here's a little beekeeping language learning for you! Who needs to learn the rest? Ciao! Keep in touch - Colin has the contact details!

Old and New – Sounds of a Summer’s Evening … by Russ Carey

Linda Carey was the leading light in producing our new web site. This is how her summer passed.

During the past weeks the predominant sounds have been hums and clicks - the sound of contented hives as the workers wearily return through the lengthening shadows of the setting summer sun, their humming accompanied by the sudden clicks of sun - ripened heavily pregnant seed pods as they finally split, releasing their seed, the foundation of future population’s of plant, bird, insect and mammalian life-forms. After twilight, in the still warm evening air, a welcome respite awaits me - a welcome break from the labours, trials and tribulations of every day life.

Then, almost in accompaniment to the sound of the wine as it is poured with meditative concentration into the glass, other strangely familiar sounds re-occur. A hum, accompanied once again by clicking sounds! This though, is the sound of industrious and nimble fingers tapping on plastic keys to the hum of fans - one stirring the sluggish sun- warmed indoor air, the another cooling silicon- based processors and other components vital to the working of that icon of the 21st Century - the computer. Not long ago a chip was eaten; a web was spun by spiders, a net caught fish, dot coms usually referred to punctuation marks and surfing referred to a Pacific water sport. How things have changed! Now, if we are to reach out to new audiences, especially the young, to promote our craft, we too must exploit the opportunities afforded by new communication technologies. In an effort to bring this about, the tapping has been the sound of my wife’s nimble fingers harnessing the wonders of modern technology in a new form of construct - the Y+DBKA website. The fruits are there for all to see, so if you have access to the web - boot up your computer, log in and surf. At www.ydbka.org.uk you can read the "Combings" and our Association’s Programme of Events and Activities; follow the links to Thorne’s and the British and Yorkshire Beekeeping Association’s websites and thence to other sites - everything is at your fingertips. We now have a website to be proud of and which now places our small yet friendly Association firmly in the 21st Century.

Horoscopes … by Debbie Hattee

Our resident clairvoyant Madam Debbie has produced this light hearted look at your horoscope, which I shall bring to you over four instalments.

SAGGITARIUS (23 November – 21 December)

Mr/Mrs optimistic! Open-minded, freedom loving and a zest for life. Jovial and good humoured, you have an interest in sport and intellectual pursuits. You love to travel and discover new places and people. At your worst you feel restless and have a reputation for being tactless. The zesty flavour of orange blossom honey and its superb fragrance best compliments your love of life and positive outlook. This honey is fairly sweet with a flavour full of almonds and fresh orange rind

CAPRICORN (22 December – 20 January)

Capricorns are very grown up and sensible! You are ambitious and hard working and will amount to something in your career. Self disciplined, patient and reserved, combined with a splendid sense of humour. At your worst you can be rather miserable and very hard on yourself. Traditional English set honey best suits your sensible attitude. A classic flavour for a classis character!

AQUARIUS (21 January – 19 February)

Aquarians are totally original and unique! You think and act on crazy ways that no-one else understands. Unconventional and independent, yet you are friendly and have a natural humanity towards others. At your worst you are unpredictable, remote and rebellious and sometimes you acts out of sheer perversity. The distinctive taste of eucalyptus honey reflects your originality, a clear honey produced in Australia it is quite dark in colour and has a unique taste of dried sultanas.

PISCES (20 February – 20 March)

You are dreamy and mysterious and like to wander off into your own little world! Pisces people make good artists, writers and musicians. You are very emotional and there is a very strong intuitive side to you, showing compassion to those less fortunate is a common characteristic. At your worst you are scatterbrained and weak willed!  Creamy Canadian clover set honey, sweet enough to chase away the blues in those emotional moments.

Past Events

Thursday 14 August

Messrs Bowes, Fuller, Hattee and Scriven met at Colin Hattee’s house and did an inspection of the ten colonies of bees brought there from the apiary of Jim Britten. Apistan strips were inserted into each one.

Tuesday 19 August

Messer’s Coleman, Fuller and Hattee met up at Strensall to pick up the remaining four colonies.

Saturday 23 August

A fine day for the auction of Jim Britten’s bees and equipment. Probably due to the short notice given and it being the Late Summer Holiday weekend the turn out was low. None the less bidding was brisk for the 80 lots up for sale which included 13 colonies of bees. Strong colonies of bees, most on a brood and a half fetched between £64 and £75. Those not so strong fetched between £47 and £58. The best buy of the afternoon was a Thorne’s plastic/electric radial extractor with a stainless steel cage plus a set of stainless tangential screens that went for £100. Other good buys included a plastic bottling tank in good condition for £28 and a Thorne’s warming cabinet hardly used went for £36. Two 28lb tubs of honey went for £28 each. 50 pieces of Thorne’s BSW shallow worker foundation fetched £20. Two lots of 28lb plastic honey buckets in good condition fetched £18 for seven and £14 for eight.

Two items of interest were a spin dryer modified to spin heather honey. Now that automatic washing machines are universally available there is no necessity for spindriers and it is years since I have seen them in shops. The inner drum is removed and some of the holes in the side are enlarged to allow the viscous honey to pass through and an inner cage is fitted made of vertical dowels or stiff wire mesh on spacers to prevent the honey/wax mix blocking the drain holes. Unwired foundation is used and the whole comb is cut out of the frame and broken up. I forget at this stage whether the broken comb is put directly into the spinner or into a bag first. Either way I think it will be messy. The other item I found of interest was a foundation making press that was in vogue about the same time as the spin dryer. It consists of a two part hinged wooden frame containing the mould made of dental plaster with hexagons embossed on it, one side being the positive and the other negative. Molten wax is poured onto the bottom leaf and the top one closed onto it. The foundation produced was a bit thick but that is of no importance. On a variation of it you could wire your foundation at the same time.

For more information on how to make and use this foundation maker turn to page 38 in Bill Bielby’s book "Home Honey Production". Coincidentally a copy of the book was in the auction. The book and the press, unfortunately, went to different bidders. Because of Jim Britten’s generosity in donating half the sale price of his hives and bees, your Association’s coffers are now £536 better off.

Wednesday 17 September

John Acheson has submitted this report on September’s meeting for you.

There was a good turnout to hear Hilda Cowling tell us about "Beekeeping My Way". Members were intrigued when this lady arrived with a very large sack barrow full of beehive parts, together with two vehicle tyres. It was explained that the speaker’s beekeeping enterprise had to fit in with helping her father with pigs, sheep and goats, nevertheless some 180 colonies were maintained in 25 apiaries.

Hilda stressed the importance of keeping hives well off the ground and this is were the tyres came in. It was demonstrated that using the smaller tyre as a base would allow the hive to wobble, but using the larger tyre (22 inches in diameter) a hive on top was very stable. Floors were made out of 15mm waterproof plywood and were reversible with a slope down to the front. Entrance blocks had a large opening for general use, and when turned over provided a single bee space. These could not be used to seal the entrance. To get good crops of honey, large colonies of bees were needed, which required large brood chambers and the enterprise was gradually being changed on to 14 × 12 bodies to replace the standard Nationals. For ease of working it had been decided to standardise with Hoffman frames. Coverboards were again made of plywood with a frame round the edges. However the feed hole was placed to one side in order to accommodate jumbo sized feeders. Attached to the top of the cover board was the Record Card which carried information relating to the colony (not the hive). Roofs were more plywood with a top cover of a thin metal sheet with a plastic coating available in various colours.

Hilda emphasised the need to work with the bees, and not against them. Take time to walk round the apiary, observe what is happening at the entrances. It may be that you will find all is contentment and there is no need to break in and inspect every colony, disturbing the bees at their labours. The speaker’s methods involved a full inspection in April or early May to check for weak hives and the reason why. If she found Chalk Brood she would feed salt. The next opening of hives would not be until July. Apistan for varroa treatment was put in the hives as late in the year as possible when there was minimum brood, and fewer cells for the pest to hide in.

In answer to a question about queen bees, we were told that an original purchase of 14 Hawaiian Italian × Carniolan queens had been made only to have all their colonies swarm to following year. Since then there have been regular purchases of Greek queens.

Monday 29 September

A Committee meeting was held at Murton. Among the topics discussed were - maintainenance of the bee pavilion, the winter programme, membership and the interest shown in beekeeping recently. I have sent 18 letters to people who have shown an interest in York Beekeepers. It is thought that our new web site has played a big part in promoting this interest. Also discussed was next years "Introduction to Beekeeping" course. If the current rate of interest is maintained and all enquiries come to fruition, then we will have a logistical problem on our hands. It was agreed that we hold our annual dinner again. More information later.

Thursday 9 October

The Honey Show sub committee – Messrs Coleman, Fuller and Johnston met to discuss final preparations for next weeks Honey Show.

Wednesday 15 October

There was a good turnout for our Annual General Meeting and Honey Show held at Murton. See my report on previous pages.

For Sale

1lb squat honey jars are available from Colin Hattee at £28.00 per gross. These will be brought to meetings or can be collected from his home by prior arrangement. Contact Colin on 01430 860972 with your order. 1lb screw lids are available separately.

Forthcoming Events

Due to the proximity of Christmas there will be no meeting in December.

Wednesday 21 January 2004

Murton Museum of Farming – Gill Partridge NDB who has recently moved to York will speak to us on "What’s so interesting about Bee Diseases".

Friday 30 January 2004

YDBKA Annual Dinner – The Kexby Bridge Hotel is on the Hull Road at Kexby to the east of York. Cost £14.50 per head. Send you booking form to Colin Hattee as soon as possible and reserve a place for your self and friends. The dead line for reservations is Friday 16th January 2004.

Wednesday 18 February

Murton Museum of Farming – Selwyn Wilkins talks on the work of the National Bee Unit that is now based just up the road to us at Sand Hutton.

Saturday 13 March

Yorkshire BKA Spring Conference at the Buckles Inn on the A64 road between York and Tadcaster. The speaker will be Ian Molyneux.

Wednesday 17 March

Murton Museum of Farming – This evening we will be holding another "Open Forum". Where senior members of the Association will form a panel and answer questions from the floor. The last Open Forum was most successful and had to be cut short because of lack of time.

Saturday 17 April

Yorkshire BKA One day Conference to be held at the Bishop Burton College on the A1079 approximately three miles west on Beverley. The price for this event has been reduced this year to £19.00 including lunch. Registration starts at 08.30 and the programme at 09.30. The speakers are David Charles – Past President of the BBKA, John Pollard- Kent BKA and our own David Aston – PhD, NDB. Booking forms can be got from Dudley Gue, 87 Park Grove, Beverley, HU17 9JU. Telephone 01482 881288.

Wednesday 21 April

Murton Museum of Farming – Vera Rider, an Officer in Cleveland BKA and Secretary of Yorkshire BKA will give a talk on "Cosmetics and Bees". Making cosmetics using beeswax and honey. A must if you are thinking of doing it you’re self. There is always a market for such products but you have to be careful as to what ingredients you use.

Saturday 24 April

BBKA Spring Convention at Stoneleigh – Speakers include Professor Robert Picard, Professor Francis Ratnieks and Professor John Bryant. They are among thirteen speakers on fourteen topics.

Saturday 5 June

Yorkshire BKA Field Day – Hosted this year by Richmond BKA will be held at Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve. This is former Ministry of Defence land and is situated behind Cambrai Barracks in Catterick Garrison. Apart from beekeeping activities, there will be scheduled guided walks in the Reserve. Pond dipping and moth trapping will also feature. There will be a book stall and two equipment suppliers present.

Wednesday 2 July

Driffield Show at the Driffield Showground.

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