Events-Next Meeting

East Devon Beekeepers Winter Programme 2025/26

Thursday 2nd October 1930 hrs
Kilmington Village Hall
The ‘Other’ Bees. A talk about Solitary Bees by Brigit Strawbridge.
There are around 280 different species of bee to be found in the UK; as diverse in size and appearance, as they are in behaviour, life-cycles, and habitat requirements. Brigit Strawbridge is a wildlife gardener, amateur naturalist, and advocate of bees. In this illustrated talk, she will focus on solitary bees, their roles as pollinators and their myriad relationships with flowering plants. The talk also advises how we can help by creating more pollinator-diverse gardens and habitats.

Thursday 6th November 1930 hrs
Kilmington Village Hall
Branch AGM President, Hilary Kirkcaldie.
The Business. What has gone on in the past year? What would you like to go on in the next one and who will keep the wheels turning? All the facts, figures and business including election of committee and Officers. Your chance to have your say.
+ BBKA Education with Sue Stokes.
The Basic, Modules and more. The new BBKA Learning Platform, how it fits together and all the support available from your Branch and Association to help you learn, improve your beekeeping and get the best from your bees.

Thursday 4th December 19.30 hrs
Kilmington Village Hall
Social and Cooking and Sampling Food with Honey.
Organiser, Mary Boulton
Enjoy a night off with your fellow members. Bring a partner, have a chat, and…….
A repeat of last year’s event that so many enjoyed. A variety of tempting recipes as published in BBKA News and BeeCraft magazine. Come and try some, vote for your favourite and find out which is judged the best.

2026 Programme

Thursday 8th January 19.30 hrs
Kilmington Village Hall
Keeping Healthy Bees
Talk by David Packham
How diseases are spread and how to avoid them. Comb management. Dealing with Varroa and the arguments for and against treating.

Saturday 17th January 2026 10.00 am
Online Zoom meeting
Devon Beekeepers’ Association AGM.
The essential business of the DBKA. Meeting details to be announced.

Thursday 5th February 19.30 hrs
Kilmington Village Hall
Joint meeting with West Dorset Beekeepers
“Asian Hornet:Fit2Fight and Integrated Colony Management”
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.

Thursday 5th March 19.30 hrs
Kilmington Village Hall
Hive Products – Preparation for Showing by Liz Westcott
How to prepare honey and beeswax to a good standard for showing or for making candles, 1oz blocks or a cake of wax, as well as preparing honey for the showing together with pointers on how to achieve success at your local Honey Show.

Thursday 2nd April 19.30 hrs
Kilmington Village Hall
Use of Bait Hives to catch swarms
Talk by Richard Simpson
Lost your bees overwinter or simply want more, or to catch your own colonies’ swarms?  Instead of taking a swarm (if you are lucky) why not tempt it to come to you? Richard will discuss how it is now a regular success for him and how you can maximise your chances too.