News and Articles
Introducing Beekeeping 30th -31st July 2022
At Greystoke Village Hall, near Penrith CA11 0TW
Julia Pigott & Martin Hoggard will run the Introducing Beekeeping on behalf of PBKA. It will be of interest to anyone who would like to become a beekeeper as well as those who have started beekeeping, but consider themselves to be beginners.
Julia is a highly experienced beekeeper and trainer. She and Martin run the Brigsteer Bee Reserve, just outside Kendal. More information about Julia, the Bee Reserve and her training programmes, along with course feedback, can be found at www.BeeEd.org.uk
Introducing Beekeeping is a two day course.
It will run on the following weekend: Saturday 30th July and Sunday 31st July.
Day one will commence at 9.00. (registration) and finish at 5.45.p.m. (Includes colony inspection)
Day two will commence at 9.00. and finish by 5.00.p.m.
The course will combine theory with practise and will involve an introduction to all the basic skills needed to become a competent, confident beekeeper
Fee: £100 this includes: tuition; loan of kit; information to take home; light refreshments, EXCLUDING lunch. Participants may bring their own packed lunch or a lunch can be pre-ordered from the Boot and Shoe Inn which is opposite the Village Hall. The lunch menu and prices will be available during course registration so that pre-orders and payments can be made on arrival.
Concessions: £90 PBKA Members £70 *students in full time education.
*Minimum age 12 years. Students U.18 must be accompanied by an adult who is parent/guardian or officially acting in ‘loco parentis’ and is also attending the course.
Places are limited. To reserve a place please contact PBKA asap: see below.
Closing date for applications: Thursday 30th June 2022.
Cancellation: unless PBKA cancels the course, refunds for cancelled places cannot be made after 30th June 2022.
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE FLYER FROM This Link
FOR AN APPLICATION FORM & COPY OF THE PROGRAMME. Follow this Link
Alternatively you can contact Margaret Riches (PBKA Treasurer).
TEL: 01768 894404 or E mail:
21/22 Winter Events Updated
You may download the PDBKA programme of winter events here
2022 PDBKA Calendar preview
The PBKA 2022 Calendar is now on sale at the following retailers in and around Penrith:
Eden Gallery & Tea Room, St. Andrews Churchyard; Star Fruits Greengrocers, Angel Lane; Rooting4U Greengrocers, Devonshire Arcade; Richardsons Timber Merchants; Coomara Vets, Carlisle; Beehive Inn, Eamont Bridge; DTEC Computers, Scotland Road; Booths; Heather Glen Hotel, Ainstable; Jan’s Homemade Cakes, near Ainstable Church (on Friday mornings only); Penrith Station; Penrith Building Society; North Lakes Hotel, Penrith; Honda Garage, Kendal;
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!
It’s time to renew your membership for 2022! Fees due by 31 December 2021.
Please read the subscription renewal letter Here
The form to download is Here.
Please note there are changes to some of the fees. These are detailed in the subscription letter.
We will appreciate your efforts to renew early and help reduce our workload on the run up to Christmas.
SWARM CONTROL
A booklet about practical swarm control courtesy of The Welsh Beekeepers Association and Wally Shaw.
Queen rearing photos
COVID-19 and Beekeeping
Download the advice sheet here
ASIAN HORNET WATCH
Asian hornet – Vespa velutina
Vespa velutina” width=”360″ height=”167″> Hi I’m velutina! I’ll see you soon?
Vespa velutina, is an evil predator, of the Honey Bee and could reach Cumbria sometime in the very near future. Our changing climate could help it survive the cooler temperatures in the Northwest of England.
We need to be aware, on the lookout for it and report it’s location immediately!
This is a species alert:
Vespa velutina, also known as the Asian hornet is an invasive non-native species from Asia. It arrived in France in 2004 where it spread rapidly. As a highly effective predator of insects, including honey bees and other beneficial species, it can cause significant losses to bee colonies, and potentially other native species. The National Bee Unit has confirmed a sighting of the Asian hornet in the Tetbury area of Gloucestershire in September 2016 – the first time the hornet has been discovered in the UK. The places it is most likely to be found are in southern parts of England or goods among which it could be accidentally imported (such as soil with imported pot plants, cut flowers, fruit and timber). Active months between April and November (peak August/September). Inactive over the winter.
Ideally sightings should be sent in via the Asian Hornet Watch app or the online recording form using the links below:
Poems by Doreen Edmondson
Three poems about beekeeping are displayed by kind permission of Doreen Edmondson’s daughter.