East Devon Beekeepers Winter Programme 2024/5

Download a PDF of Winter programme

Thursday, 3rd October 7.30pm
Kilmington Village Hall
Hives and Insulation: facts and fiction
A talk by Derek Mitchell
Wood, or poly; insulated or not; open mesh or solid floor? These are just some of the questions Derek considers in comparing how well a classic modern hive approximates to the bees’ natural choice, typically a hollow tree, at least thermally. And if you want to make a near-natural environment, what are your options?

Thursday, 7th November 7.30pm
Kilmington Village Hall
Branch AGM followed by Talk
President, Hilary Kirkcaldie will conduct the meeting. Reports of the last 12 months, election of officers and committee. Your chance to have your say.
Followed by a short talk from Nick Silver on ‘Avoiding fermentation – Honey’s Enemy No.1.’

Thursday, 5th December 7.30pm
Kilmington Village Hall
Social, plus Sampling food Cooked with Honey
Enjoy a night off with your fellow members. Bring a partner, have a chat, and….
Diane Shepstone has shown us a variety of tempting recipes (BBKA News author). Come and try some.

Saturday, 14th December. 10.00am
Virtual
DBKA AGM
DBKA business, reports and elections, plus Q and A session with a panel of experienced beekeepers.
The link and appropriate documents will be sent to members closer to the date.

2025

Thursday, 2nd January 2025, 7.30pm
Kilmington Village Hall
Preparations for a better Season, with Dan Basterfield
Dan is a Master Beekeeper and NDB, earning a living at Blackbury Honey Farm.  He will be taking us through what we need to be doing to ensure it’s not just another year chasing one’s tail. Dan is an excellent communicator with the expertise to make it well worthwhile coming out at New Year.

Thursday, 6th February 7.30pm
Kilmington Village Hall. Joint meeting with West Dorset Beekeepers.
Beekeeping in poor weather: how to survive.
Talk by Geoff Blaye.
Geoff is a Master Beekeeper and Commercial Bee Farmer based in Somerset. Last winter brought substantial rain and accompanying colony losses. Will this winter be any better? And how does the beekeeper help their colonies survive and prosper?

Thursday, 6th March 7.30pm
Kilmington Village Hall.
Asian Hornet: Fit2Fight and Integrated Colony Management System.
Talk by Alan Baxter.
Alan first experienced Asian (yellow legged) hornets at his apiary in the Loire valley and later learned a system of apiary management to survive the hornet problem from Maître Apiculteur André Blatier. Asian Hornets are likely here to stay. It’s not the end of the world but changes to beekeeping practices will be needed. Come and find out more.

Thursday, 3rd April 7.30pm
Kilmington Village Hall or Zoom
To be announced.