Welsh Beekeepers’ Association Cymdeithas Gwenynwyr Cymru Llywydd/President: Dinah Sweet Tel: 029 20869242 E-Mail: [email protected] Cadeirydd/Chairperson: Valerie Forsyth, Bwlch y Rhyd, Nanternis New Quay, SA45 9RS Tel: 01545 561635 E-Mail: [email protected] Is-gadeirydd/Vice Chair: Tom Pegg Tel: 01437 563392 E-Mail: [email protected] Ysgrifennydd /Secretary: John Page, The Old Tannery, Pontsian Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4UD Tel: 01545 590515 E-mail: [email protected] Trysorydd/Treasurer: Vincent Frostick Tel: 01766 831 288 E-mail: [email protected] Assistant Treasurer: Margaret Jones E-mail: [email protected] Golygyddion/Editors: Emmanuel and Rebecca Blaevoet E-mail: [email protected] Is-olygydd/Sub-editor: Dewi Morris Jones, Llwynderw, Bronant, (Erthyglau Cymraeg) Aberystwyth, SY23 4TG. Tel: 01974 251264 Membership Secretary: Ian Hubbuck, White Cottage, Manafon Road, Individual Memberships Berriew, SY21 8BB. And Subs Tel: 01686 640 205 E-mail: [email protected] Publicity Officer Barbara Chick, 11 Porthcawl Road Caerau, Ely, Cardiff, CF5 5HU Tel: 029 20597275 E-Mail: [email protected] Editorial This issue of the Welsh Beekeeper features a diversity of articles, some wonderful adverts and of course, a "plants for your bees" section showcasing Phacelia, a plant native to North and South America but which is ranked among the top twenty plants attractive to bees and beneficial insects. We bring you an entertaining article in Welsh, by Lillian Llewelyn regarding her first year as a beekeeper, … if anyone could become a beekeeper in 2012 and remain one, into 2013 with a smile, that’s the best endorsement for our chosen hobby I’ve seen in quite some time! She gives a vigorous thumbs-up to the West Glamorgan Bee- keeping Association not only for their well-run courses for begin- ners but also for their welcoming membership. The style is engag- ing and light-hearted and is just the sort of article we rejoice at, in either language, to draw would-be beekeepers in. Pam Gregory discusses beekeeping in australia and how it differs with that practised in the UK, stressing the gentleness of the bees, requiring no protective bee clothing; and the migratory nature of beekeeping in that vast country, to aid in crop pollination. Tony Shaw contributes a provocative article on the honeybee col- ony as a super-organism, which draws out the question: are hu- mans a super-organism, too? Frank Gellatly publishes the findings of the joint consultation by BDI and the Welsh Government on managing bee disease and sug- gests we all bookmark the link to the informative research paper, which provides advice for beekeepers in Britain regarding this im- portant subject. There are two contributions from the Conwy beekeepers’ Associa- tion: one by Barry Griffiths, a volunteer’s view of working in the national Beekeeping Centre; and an enthusiastic review of last year's updated and re-imagined honey show by Ruth Bethell, high- lighting the attentiveness of the member-judges, the buzz of dis- cussion when the results were declared and the degree of involve- ment among all members, despite initial misgivings. There is a call for financially-savvy policy-writers to help with a pro- ject by the BDI and an update by Valerie regarding the new bee disease cards thanks to a grant by the Eva Crane foundation. Rebecca Blaevoet, February 2013 The Welsh Beekeeper #180 4 Spring 2013 Chairperson’s Message Valerie Forsyth Dear fellow beekeepers, 2012 must have been one of the worst beekeeping years for a very long time for our bees and other insects. A major concern will now be how well the queens were mated and how well they do this year. It will be the wise beekeeper who checks to see how much stores the bees have and being ready to feed as necessary to get them going well as spring progresses. I have used Vita Gold in the past at this time and have had very good results In February the 'Improvers Weekend Course' will have been held at Buith Wells and in- cluded both 'Feeding' and 'simple Queen Rearing to make Increase and for Re-queening' - two subjects that are essential to good beekeeping. This will have been the third of these weekend courses and those who have attended them have had a thoroughly good time, made new friends and gained a considerable amount of knowledge. Plans are also in hand for an Introduction to the 'General Husbandry Certificate' Course to be held later in the Summer. This is for those interested in working to a high standard of care but not necessarily wishing to take the exam. Please let John know if you are interested. The Convention is another chance to catch up with friends, buy equipment and hear some excellent lectures. I look forward to seeing you there on the 23rd March. I note that our membership has increased again during this last year. Very many thanks must go to the Associations who continue the good work of introducing new beekeepers to the art of beekeeping. Without their members dedication and time given so freely the aims of the WBKA 'Encourage community participation in observing and learning about bees in safety, and develop an appreciation of the value of bees in the environ- ment' could not be achieved. With the Smallholders Show, or as it is now known the, 'Spring Festival' in April and the Royal Welsh in July with Anglesey as the 'Feature County', there will be two more oppor- tunities for you to have a free entrance ticket for spending a short time on the WBKA stand introducing even more people to the joys of beekeeping. Please don't hide your shining light under the proverbial bush and volunteer to see where your expertise can help to build and support the WBKA. These will be my last notes to you after three years as chairman and I will be standing down at the AGM in March. It has been a very busy time and I am always surprised just how much time it takes to get any project off the ground. It has also been a fascinating time with so many topics relating to bees being taken so seriously by the various autho- rities - neonicotinoids, pollinating insects, food standards and honey labelling and bees in the biodiversity to name but a few. At last, with grateful thanks to the Eva Crane Trust and IBRA the 'Disease Cards' are on their way. I wish to say a huge thank you to John Page for his support and help during this time. Thank you too to all the members who have given unstintingly of their time and support of the WBKA. May it continue to flourish and nurture many more generations of bees and beekeepers. Valerie Forsyth The Welsh Beekeeper #180 6 Spring 2013 Our President’s Message Dinah Sweet Happy new year to everyone and I certainly hope we have healthy bees, good weather and loads more honey than 2012. This week I have been checking out that the gale force winds and deep piles of snow have not damaged any of my colonies and also that the heavy rains have not caused any of them to float away. The yellow hazel and red alder catkins that I have seen in hedges recently, are a good early source of pollen for the bees now, as long as the weather allows them to fly. Snowdrops and winter heathers are also helpful pollen forage at this time of year. It is important that your bees are able to collect fresh pollen as this is much more nutritious than stored, so do look around your apiary site. There are some signs that Spring is on it's way with a few days of warmer temperatures at the end of January, but this may not last, so heft your hives and add candy/fondant if necessary. Some new beekeepers have told me that they plan to order new queens from abroad this year! This should be discouraged as there are many good, gentle, local bees available that are not only used to our rainy, cold climate but are unlikely to turn defensive after a few generations as the 'Buckfast' bees do. Also you are more likely to bring in disease from foreign lands and we definitely don't want to see small hive beetle in the UK! When buying bees or queens please consider using recommended sources and that is where your local asso- ciation experts should be able to guide you and give you good advice. All beekeepers have a responsibility to look after their bees to the best of their ability so just leaving them to fend for themselves in a neglected corner of the garden will not benefit their welfare. DEFRA have just published a consultative document with recommendations to improve bee health such as a welfare code and also more guidance from the NBU on managing Varroa destructor . Every- one who is registered with an e-mail address on bee-base should have received this document and I would urge you all to read it and then send your com- ments in. There is a page where you are invited to answer specific questions. The document contains policy changes and will impact on your beekeeping management, so they really do want to hear your views on their suggested proposals by early March 2013. As in my previous report I would like to encourage many of you to enter your hive products at the Royal Welsh Show in July – entry forms have to be sent in by the beginning of June 2013. There have been many successful local associa- tion honey shows where the lack of honey didn't stop exhibits, so this year please, we need more enthusiastic beekeepers to stage their lovely honey, candles, wax, mead, honey cakes etc.