A letter to members from Bob Hirst, Chairman

Another season beckons, the days are getting longer, and I am itching to lift the crown boards off to see what is happening below.

The York and District Beekeepers Association has wintered well, and it is pleasing to report how well attended the winter programme was. We are a happy bunch of people, and long may it continue.

With this in mind your committee decided that it would be a good idea if the York BKA had its own magazine, to be publisher quarterly, to keep our membership informed as to the goings on within the Association that does not appear in the programme. To enlarge on the programme, planned future events, who's who in the Association, comments from our Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and from members.

The biggest hurdle to over come was to find some one to take on the task of editor. No easy matter, but cometh the moment, cometh the man. In this case John Fuller who bravely volunteered to take on the job. To that end he deserves our support in the contribution of material to be published. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience among our membership second to none in the beekeeping world, and I would like to draw on that to bring into being our magazine, and make it the success I believe it can be.

So thinking caps on, put pen to paper and lets surprise our selves with what we can achieve.

Articles can consist of any thing to do with your experiences as a beekeeper, good or bad, frightening or funny, technical or just the way you keep and run your apiary, no matter how many colonies you run.

All articles to be submitted, of not more than 500 words, where possible, to be typed, as some hand writing - including my own - will need an enigma machine to decipher it. Otherwise send in your copy in your best Sunday script.

Good luck to you all, lets go for it and have some fun and good laughs.

To start the new magazine on a pleasant note. I wish to congratulate Alan Johnston of Wheldrake who has passed Module 1 of the British Beekeepers Association Intermediate Certificate. If any other members are contemplating taking exams, Alan is willing to offer advice. 'Phone him on 01 904 448 338 or contact our Examination Secretary David Aston on 01 757 638 758. The British BKA offer correspondence courses for all examinations should you wish to do your studying that way.

Queen Raising ... by Tom Robinson

I consider the most interesting aspect of bee keeping to be the selection and raising of queens. Many bee keepers ignore the raising of queens as they consider the bees will do it themselves and perhaps the selection and raising of them is complicated and specialist.

Queen rearing implies selection in some way to try and improve bees. One way to do this is to get colonies that show the good qualities the bee keeper is looking for, to raise queens, or take larvae from them and get other colonies to raise the queens. Inevitably a bee keeper will improve his stocks generally, if queens are reared from the best and introduced to the worst colonies, getting rid of the queens in the worst colonies. Over time this effects the overall drone population of the apiary, an important factor in seeking to improve colonies.

Underlying any method of queen rearing lies the basic principles that determine the productions of good queens.

These are:

	Getting queens into the state of wanting to rear queens.
	Having an abundance of nurse bees to ensure the queen larvae are well fed.
	Ensuring that both pollen and open stores are available near to the queen cells.

Bees seek to raise queens when the swarming impulse is upon them or if they become queenless. For a bee keeper that wants to determine when queens are to be raised, a colony can be made queenless to do this. Many article and books have been written on queen rearing, but to raise queens in a practical way, I consider is the best way to understand it. For those interested ,contact me on 01 904 626 170 to arrange start dates on weekends at the Association apiary at Murton.

BBKA Spring Convention, Stoneleigh

A coach trip has been arranged to go to the BBKA Spring Convention, held at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, near Coventry. The coach will leave the Farming Museum at Murton at 07.00. The cost is £19.00 per person which includes entry. There are 35 seats on the coach on a first come first served basis. Cheques should be made payable to York BKA and sent to Bob Hirst. We will be leaving Stoneleigh at 16.00 to arrive back in York about 19.00. In the past it has always been popular, so if you wish to go , get your applications in early. Full catering facilities are available in the Convention Hall.

Annual Dinner

The Association's annual dinner will be held on Friday 22nd March at the Jolly Farmer at Leavening which is situated approximately 13 miles from York between the A64 and the A166. It is an informal meal in an informal setting. Like the Stoneleigh trip, it is very popular and I recommend you book early to avoid disappointment. Your dead line for booking is the 28th February, and Bob Hirst is the man to contact.

Annual Auction

YDBKA 3rd annual auction will be held at the Murton Museum of Farming on Saturday 18th May. Lots will be accepted from 10.00, Viewing from 11.00 and the auction will commence at 12.30. Bees for sale will be accepted between 19.00 and 21.00 the previous evening.  Alan Johnston is the co-ordinator. Contact him on 01 904 448 338.  We require stewards for this event. Please join us at 09.30 at Murton on the day.

Beginners Class

A beginners class is being organised to start on Tuesday 7th May at 18.30. The cost will be £15.00 per person which includes membership of the association. If you know of anyone interested, have them contact Terry Nundy on 01 904 608 201.

Topical Tips

Last season, for the first time, I came across the greater wax moth. Books tell us that this is a pest to be found in southern counties, so I was surprised to find it in my comb. The larvae are easily identified, being roughly twice the size of lesser wax moth larvae. Both greater and lesser wax moth larvae are easily controlled using paradichlorobenzene crystals which are available from equipment suppliers or chemists.

In the autumn when I have brought all my supers home, I make a stack of them. I start with a piece of hard board to keep vermin out, covered with a piece of newspaper with about an ounce of PDB crystals on top. Two supers, a sheet of newspaper with PDB crystals, two more supers etc. and continue thus. I finish with a sheet of newspaper and a roof to make a seal.  For brood boxes I put a sheet of newspaper and PDB between each box. Paradichlorobenzine only kills wax moth larvae and not eggs, so a second application may be required in the spring. Airing combs ,before use is advantageous as the strong smell will deter bees from using treated supers.

Now that March has arrived, queens will be laying well and young brood will require feeding. If the weather is fine there will forage enough for bees to find. Should the weather be poor then your bees will have to survive on stored food, which after winter, could be in short supply. It is now that bees could die because of starvation. Heft your hives frequently and if you have any doubts then feed. Honey is best - I use honey that has passed over my Pratley tray during uncapping; honey that I consider unsuitable for retail sale - but if no honey is available, then thick sugar syrup or fondant will do the job, but do not let them starve!. Remember dead bees gather no honey.

The queen marking colour for 2002 is YELLOW.

Personal Safety

We have reached the time of year when we start going to our bees in out apiaries. We work alone, often in remote places, using power tools to cut back undergrowth. In the event of an accident, who knows where you are? When you go to your bees tell your nearest and dearest where you are going and when you will be back. If you have a mobile 'phone have it on your person and ready for use. If you have a mishap give your self a chance.

Honey Jars for sale

llb squat honey jars are available from Colin Hattee, 'phone 01430 860972. Colin will bring your order to meetings or you can pick them up at his house by prior arrangement. Price £25.00 per gross.

What you all wanted to know ...

Acarapis woodi (Rennie), or acarine disease as we know it, or if you have a leaning to all things American, tracheal mites, was discovered in 1921 by Dr John Rennie of Aberdeen University. It was named after Mr AHE Wood who sponsored Dr Rennie. Mr Richard Frow of Wickenby Lincolnshire, found a cure for it in November 1927. His formula was one part Safrol, two parts Nitro-benzine and two parts petrol. A highly inflammable mixture and no longer available today. We know this as Frow Mixture and acarine is some times still referred to as Isle of Wight Disease.

Beecraft Magazine

On the first of January this year the bee keeping magazine "Beecraft" was published in A4 size. Previously it was the smaller A5 size. Becoming larger has improved it almost beyond recognition and much more use has been made of colour. Those of you that have not kept bees for very long will tind the whole magazine most informative.  If you wish to subscribe to "Beecraft", contact the secretary Alison Mouser, 79 Strathcona Avenue, Bookham, Leatherhead, Surrey. KT23 4HR. The annual subscription is £15.00 including postage.    Beecraft also have a web site: www.bee-craft.com

Personality Portrait ... Bill Bell

One of York BKA Vice Presidents Bill Bell tells of his life with bees.

Early Beginnings

My earliest recollections of bees is as a young boy gazing along a row of straw baskets under an open sided lean - to building. My father was a gamekeeper on a large estate and we lived in the Gardener's Cottage near a large walled garden. The lean-to ran the whole length of one wall and was home to the 20 or 30 skeps in which my father kept his bees.

I can still see him sitting with a upturned skep leafing through the combs like searching for his place in a book. He used to remove the whole honeycomb with a knife and take it into the house. There he'd place the combs in a large earthen ware bowl and break them up before pouring them into a large square of butter muslin spread out over another large bowl. Using a rabbit snare, he'd gather up the edge of the muslin and, like a Christmas pudding, suspend the dripping bundle over another container at the fireside. Maybe a little soot added a touch of flavour!

Unfortunately, when I was about six years old, my father had a nasty experience which was to unnerve him totally in his dealing with bees from then on. He had been checking the skeps and removing honey When the job was done, the bees on this occasion were not in a good mood. Answering a call of nature, my father retired to the privy, an earth toilet annexed to the lean-to half a dozen yards from the skeps. The loo door was about four feet high and there was a good 18 inch gap at the top for ventilation. This, of course, allowed more than adequate access for any nimble creature or insect with evil intent. Poor father was caught literally with his pants down and suffered very severe retribution at the hands,or rather stings of his bees. Shortly after this episode, the bees disappeared, sold, given away or in some other way disposed of.

However, I was not to be so easily put off. Being country born and bred, I was always fascinated by wildlife, be it animals, birds, trees, flowers or insects. My favourites were the wood ants which I'd watch for hours building their neat little mounds of pine needles and the like. One May afternoon following my eighth birthday, I was coming home from school with friends when we came across a huge swarm of honeybees hanging in a a Leylandii tree, the mass of bees measuring about 18 inches in length and a foot or so across. Yes, you've guessed it. I wanted that swarm 61 years ago and have found it difficult to resist swarms ever since. The only question was, how does an eight year old go about retrieving a swarm hanging in a tree 300 yards from home? "Ask father" of course!. 'Father was half a mile away in the rearing field tending to his pheasants. So off I ran to see what could be done. "What do you want those damned things for?" he wanted to know. How many times have I heard that question since, I wonder?

Like all children, I could be persuasive when I wanted to be. Finally, he relented but was too busy to drop everything. Instead, he gave me instructions to follow and said he'd come when he could. First, as it was quite a hot day, I had to run to the house and find an old sack together with a watering can from the garden then run to the Leylandii, place the sack over the swarm and thoroughly dampen the whole lot. This apparently would stop the swarm absconding whilst I carried out other preparations. Next I had to get off to the village shop and plead for two butter boxes. "Don't tell 'em why, lad. They'll think your mad". Back in 1940 New Zealand butter came in wooden boxes made of 5/8 inch thick timber, 18 inches square and 10 inches deep, which is, incidentally, almost the same size as today's National brood box. Having acquired my first beekeeping equipment, I was back across the field for instructions. I had to find an old door or a board to stand my boxes on. Nothing leapt readily to hand so I "borrowed" the door off the coal house chute, conveniently about two feet square. More trouble in store but I was keen. I was too eager to set it up now, so I leaned it up against the privet hedge in the garden. I'd find a few bricks later. Next, I was to cut a two inch hole in the side of one of the boxes and wash it out thoroughly with salt and sugar solution. I inserted two sticks in a cross inside the box for the bees to hang from. "And ask your mother for a table cloth". Beg more like. I also found a sheet of tin for a roof. Having gathered all these bits and pieces and run for miles, I now had to wait for what seemed like an eternity for my father to come home from the fields.

An hour later he walked in, but naturally wanted his evening meal first. There was nothing natural in that to a small boy with a mission. At last he came out "Where are these damned bees then ?" he enquired. I scampered off, dad wending his weary way behind. As we approached the tree he stopped. "They're over here" I shouted and beckoned him on. "I know where they are, thank you very much" he muttered. No way was he going anywhere near my first swarm of bees. Twenty five yards was close enough. Due to the innocence of youth, I had no thought of being afraid and I could not understand his steadfast refusal to come any nearer. So once again, I was to receive instructions from a distance. Placing one of the boxes upside down like a table beneath the swarm, I spread the cloth over both it and the surrounding grass, pulling it tight so the bees would not crawl under it. The prepared box went on top and I had to prop it up on the back edge with a stone. I was sent home with instructions to see if I could liberate mother's washing line. "Why?" I asked, a little anxious at the accumulating trouble. "You'll see" he said. This time I had an excuse from my father so I just did as I was told.

Next was the real test. "Remove the sack". "What?" I asked incredulously. "Gently" he warned. I didn't need telling but dad felt he needed to say it. This I did. Then very carefully I tied the end of the washing line to the branch and withdrew as far as I could without letting go of the line - about 20 feet. "Now give it a sharp tug!" called my father from a distance behind me. The swarm simply cascaded into the box and over the sheet, staying more or less in a mass. There was a hum and a buzz but nothing disastrous. "That's it for now lad" my father commented before retreating to the house, slightly quicker than he'd come out I'm sure. I stayed watching them of course and gradually the bees made their way up hill and into the box. I went home once it seemed they'd all settled, after an hour or so , but it could have been longer and wondered what to do next. "Leave them until dark", I was told. At dusk we gathered the sheet up around the butter box, tied it securely and carried my very first colony proudly into our garden. Some one had already set the coal chute door on bricks ready to receive this first swarm of many hundreds more to come.

Past Events

There was a very good turn out for the Annual General Meeting held on October 17th 2001. Two items where of particular interest.

Firstly, York Bee keepers had been accepted as a member of the Yorkshire Association. The prime reason for rejoining was financial. As an individual member of the British Beekeepers Association we had to pay for 100 members even though our membership currently stands at 75, with a tendency to fall.  As a member of the Yorkshire Association we still pay a capitation fee to the British Bee Keepers Association plus £2.50 to Yorkshire, but only for our actual membership.

Secondly, Torn Robinson who has served us well as Association Secretary tended his resignation. We thank him for all the hard work he has put in for us over the years. The post was filled by Colin Hattee. Colin can be contacted on 01 430 860 972 or E-mail: beecol@hatteec.freeserve.co.uk. We wish him well in his new post.

The attendance at our meeting on November 21st was disappointing. Our speaker was Dick Robinson who travelled from Rudston near Driffield to talk to us about apples and their pollination. Mr Robinson has spent a lifetime in horticulture and specialized in pomiculture. He is also a regular contributor to BBC Radio Humberside's Sunday morning gardening programme. In his following broadcast he spoke about our meeting in glowing terms.

Our next meeting was a trip round John Smiths Brewery at Tadcaster organised by Bill Bell on the evening of the 28th November 200l. A total of 35 members, their spouses and friends turned up for the evening. We split into two groups. One group was taken round the brewery and the other round the canning plant which was working nights to supply the increased demand in the run up to Christmas. We met up again later for a Christmas dinner. It was a very successful evening.

On Saturday 8th December 2001, York Beekeepers where represented at the Pocklington Christmas Fayre by Pam Todd and a friend. On their stall where jars of honey, jars of honey in gift packs, beeswax candles plus soaps and hand creams. Every thing was sold apart from some honey. The hand creams where so popular that even the tester jars where sold!. It was a commendable effort they put in.

The event took place indoors, it was well organised and well patronised.

Our meeting on the 16th January was held in the cafe of Murton Farming instead of the library. The main advantage being that coffee was available. Our speaker was David Aston who's topic was how to keep bee's if you have a busy life style followed by telling us the advantages of studying bee craft and going to take exams. If you do not like sitting at a desk to take your test, then there is a practical test you can take at your own apiary. Any of you with a couple of years experience should have no difficulty passing this exam.

Sunday 27th January saw a group of members meet at the bee pavilion at Murton to do a bit of house keeping. Such meetings must become a regular event if we are to keep the pavilion in tip top order.

A committee meeting was held at Murton on the evening of Wednesday 13th February. Among the matters discussed where the auction, this years beginners class and the summer programme. In the past apiary meetings held at week ends have been poorly patronised. This year we are adopting a slightly different approach. Meetings are going to be held on Wednesday evenings in different apiaries, at fortnightly intervals. The first one will be held on the 8th May.

If you would like to host one of these meetings then contact Colin Hattee as soon as possible. The meetings will be informal.

Further information will be given when the summer programme is finalised.

Forthcoming Events

Friday 22nd March

Association Annual Dinner will be held at the Jolly Farmer at Leavening. 19.30 to sit down at 20.00.

Saturday 6th April

Yorkshire BKA. Spring Convention at Bishop Burton College, Beverley.  Speakers are Norman Carreck, Ben Emmet (who has spoken to us at York). and Adrian Waring. Cost £25.00 per person including lunch, £18.00 per person without lunch. Contact Dudley Gue 01 482 782 052 for more details.

Saturday 6th April

Lincoln BKA annual sale of bees and equipment. Lincoln Show Ground. Sale commences 12.00. For more information ring 01 522522679.

Wednesday 17th April

Half Yearly Meeting followed by a talk to be given by Ivor Flatman on "Preparing and making use of beeswax".

Saturday 27th April at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh.

BBKA Annual Spring Convention. A coach will leave Murton Farming Museum at 07.00. Price per head including admission to the Convention is £19.00. Bob Hirst, 01 904 706 111 is organising this trip.

Sunday 28th April. at Barlow, just South of Selby off the A 1041 Selby to Snaith road.

Barkston Ash BKA will be auctioning off the equipment of one of their deceased members. Viewing from 11.00 and the auction will commence at 13.00. All lots to be sold. No reserves. A catalogue will be available upon application to Robin Tomlinson, 'phone / fax 0113 286 5842 after the 1st March.

Saturday 18th May

York BKA annual auction of beekeeping equipment to be held at Murton Farming Museum, York. Lots for sale accepted from 10.00. Viewing from 11.00. Auction to commence at 12.30. Bees for sale will be accepted between 19.00 and 21.00 the previous evening.

Sunday 2nd June

Yorkshire BKA. Spring Field Day. Time and venue later.

July 9th, 10th and 11th

Great Yorkshire Show

Saturday 9th November.

Yorkshire BKA. Autumn Conference.   To be held at the Buckles Inn on the A 64 at Bilbrough on the outskirts of York. More information later.