Blogs

Anna Surgenor has published the latest edition of Forager, Autumn 2014. Includes Anna's review of the Harrow in Leaf show and Peter Steele's news from Rwanda beekeeping.

Harrow members have done well over the years in Middlesex classes at the National Honey Show. But building on their experience of working with wax and other hive products, Judy Earl and Doreen Tylden-Patterson went one better and won their National Class. Their entry in Class 48: Display of Home-produced Products featured a timely World War I theme, items sent to a son in the trenches. 

Two local bloggers wrote about their day in Harrow, Emily from Ealing (thanks for the photo) and Helen from Epsom. Pleasure to see them and make links with other beeks in the area, check out their blogs for wax working and other local bee activity.

The 2016 Beekeepers Beginners Course ios now complete, it was over two weekends 12th and 19th March 2016 with practical sessions to follow on the Sundays, weather permitting. You can contact Moira Spiers on 07715 278087 for more details of when the next Spring course is likely to be scheduled.

The link above is a printable document of the 2016 course schedule with map and tear off booking slip that was to be forwarded with a cheque.

If you're intending to go, and stay for the social, Moira wants to know and your choice of main course by 4th November.

The HBKA AGM and Social 2014 will be at the Pinner Parish Church Hall, St John The Baptist , Church Lane, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 3AA

Saturday 8th November at 19:00, catering and other details are in the diary entry.

First up on the podium at the London honey show this year on Monday 6th October at 18:30 is our own Judy Earl. Judy has always shown her talent for cooking and making at our own honey show and the National, where she was the first holder of the Jill Foster Memorial Trophy for the display class of hive products. Come and see how it's done.

The NBU reports that Small Hive Beetle has been reported in traps in South West Italy. This is from a trap in a hive belonging to the local University. That makes it distinct from the previous record when SHB was found in 2004 in Portugal in an import from Texas and all the imported material could be destroyed. The beetles may have been present around the port of Gioia Tauro for some time. As the NBU statement says:

Monday was wet but the Sunday saw visitors. Thanks to everyone who helped in the marquee or entered any classes and especial thanks to Sarah and Tilman for taking on the organisation.

Class winners: see the full news item.

The NHS lecture schedule has been released, the leaflet is available as a pdf and workshop details are on the website (booking from 1 September). Our own Bill Fitzmaurice is leading candle making workshops on the Saturday. In competition there are new categories for set honey and sweet and dry mead.