Hon. Newsletter Editor:
Peter Edwards
E-mail: beekeepers@stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk

OPENING OF OUR NEW HOME

We have done it again!  This time a four column spread with colour photograph advertising our Association complete with telephone number and email address in the Stratford Herald.  Stand by for the rush to join us!

On 15 July, after a warm and interesting speech of welcome from our chairman, Terry Hitchman, our new facility was officially opened by John Maples MP in his usual suave manner.  During his speech, John showed great interest in bees and beekeeping and referred to previous help that he gave to a local commercial beekeeper when GM rape trials threatened his livelihood.  Denis Keyte, as our senior member, then presented two jars of his best honey to John, who was most appreciative.  Our MP, accompanied by his agent and two work-experience students, then inspected various exhibits inside the building, including the construction and detail of a National hive and Will Spencer’s famed perfect frame of honey and bottle of mead.

The weather stayed fine for us and the well-attended meeting enjoyed coffee and biscuits kindly supplied by Margaret and Denis Woodhams of the Arrow Mill.
Ron French

GRANULATED HONEY

Judging from the searches on the website, many of you have combs of granulated honey and are looking for ways of dealing with them.  There are several methods available, but most rely on using heat to melt the honey in order to separate it from the wax after removing it from the frame.  It is not possible to re‑liquefy the honey in the comb, as the wax will collapse.  Here are some options:

• Avoid the problem by producing cut-comb honey.  Although I do not like granulated comb honey myself, I am assured that it sells well.

• Cut out the entire comb or scrape it back to the foundation.  Various tools are available - I keep a stainless steel hive-tool in the honey house for this purpose and also use it to uncap low areas and loosen frames in the boxes; some beekeepers use a strong spoon.  If the honey can be scraped fairly easily and the foundation saved then this is my preferred option, as the frame will not need re-waxing and new combs will be built straighter and more quickly than by leaving a starter strip.

• Melt the resulting mix of wax and honey.  How you do this will depend on the scale of your beekeeping operation.  Various uncapping trays are available and will do the job – some quicker than others.  Separator attachments for them have two outlets – one for wax and the other for honey (see FOR SALE below).  However, these trays usually melt the honey and wax together and this can overheat the honey and impair its flavour due to contact with the molten wax.  It can also be difficult to control the temperature of some trays.
  On a small scale, the honey and wax can be put in a honey bucket and warmed gently to 120ºF (49ºC) for about 24 hours.  The honey will melt and the wax will float on the surface – it will not melt, but have a firm consistency rather like Christmas pudding.  Allow to cool until the wax cake is reasonably set, then either lift it out or make two holes in it (one to let the air in) and pour out the honey.  The wax can then be melted and cleaned separately.
  On a larger scale, it is possible to buy special warming cabinets, rather like chest freezers, that have top and bottom heaters with a fan under the lid.  These melt out the honey under thermostatically controlled conditions, and then melt the remaining wax.
  Peter Edwards

DENIS KEYTE’S FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH MEETINGS

A reminder that Denis holds an informal meeting at 3pm on the first Sunday of each month to perform ‘seasonal tasks’.  The meetings are particularly suitable for beginners as Denis’ bees are very gentle and the small group allows for a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of time for questions.
Peter Edwards

NATIONAL HONEY SHOW

PROGRAMME & LECTURE CONVENTION

THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER

1.45 Doors Open

2.00 Opening Ceremony - Norman Walsh President of NI Beekeepers Association

3.00 Judging a Class at the National - Michael MacGiolla Coda & Michael Gleeson

4.30 Birds, Bees and Super Weeds - Professor John Bryant

6.45 Show Closes

FRIDAY 2l OCTOBER

9.30 Show Opens

10.30 Bee Research at Rothamsted - Norman Carreck

11.45 North and South - Willie Robson

1.00 The Bugs and the Bees - Dr Rose Cooper

2.15 Practical Aspects of Queen Rearing - Albert Knight

3.30 Where are we now? - Mike Brown

4.45 Present and Future - Dr Nicola Bradbear

6.45 Show Closes

SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER

9.30 Show Opens

10.15 Family Feuds and Sisterly Strife - Dr Robert Paxton

11.30 From the Sublime to the Ridiculous  - Clive De Bruyn

12.45 My Way - Willie Robson

2.30 National Honey Show AGM, followed by the AGM of the National Council and the draw

4.00 Presentation of Trophies and Awards

4.50 Show Closes

If you require more information of the National Honey Show email: showsec@zbee.com or contact

Hon Secretary: The Reverend F Capener, 1 Baldric Road, Folkestone, CT20 2NR

NBU, DLC, BHA!

Yet another initialisation!  It seems that the NBU (National Beekeeping Unit) has decided to re-brand the DLCs (Disease Liaison Co-ordinators or Disease Liaison Contacts – it never was very clear!) so that we are now to be called BHA’s (Bee Health Advisers).  I guess that the logic behind it is that no-one wants to know about disease, but everyone wants to know about health.  Whatever the reason, I am now your BHA and will be pleased to help with health (or disease) questions should you need me – ring or email any time.
(See the June 2002 newsletter for more details of the DLC project).
Peter Edwards

FOR SALE

EasyBee uncapping and melting tray complete with wax separator.  Excellent condition and less than half new price at £395 ono.  Ring Jean Dance - 01926 842374.

HONEY SHOW

Details and schedule will be sent to all members next month.  Note that there is a 'novice' class, so any beginners with honey, keep your eyes open and put aside your best two jars.  Also now is the time to think about the photography class for 3 photos related to beekeeping and the class for an exhibit of beekeeping interest.
Mike Osborne

FONDANT FOR WINTER FEEDING

I will be making one bulk purchase of bakers’ fondant again this year as winter feed for my colonies.  Please note that I do not stock ‘spare’ fondant and have to pay cash with order, so if you would like to take advantage of the very low price that I can obtain it is essential that you ring me now and place your order, with payment, by the end of August.

For those who are not familiar with this method of feeding, there is a section on the website at http://www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/PENotes/Fondant.htm.
Peter Edwards

QUEEN REARING AND BEE IMPROVEMENT

I have again had to defer these articles due to lack of space and time!
Peter Edwards