Monthly meeting July 2007
On Saturday 21st July, we held a joint meeting with Kendal Beekeepers at Roger & Natalias apiary in Silverdale. Given the amount of rain we have had recently, Roger had cleared his barn area for the meeting, which proved a wise decision as true to form it rained although thankfully it stayed fine for the refreshments. Despite the weather there was an excellent turnout. Roger commenced by welcoming members of the Kendal club to the meeting. Linda gave a brief mention of forthcoming events and then recruited helpers for our stand at the forthcoming Garstang show. Richard S briefly gave details about the arrangements for this years basic BBKA exam and encouraged people to sit it.
Roger then welcomed Doug Jones, seasonal bee inspector for North Lancs, who gave us an interesting presentation of unusual beekeeping equipment much of it improvised and home made. He uses a handy potting tray as a roomy uncapping tray and he showed us an ingenious uncapping frame stand he had made from a kitchen cookery book stand. He then proceeded to demonstrate his vacuum operated honey straining tank, complete with one-way valve, safety valve and based on a car vacuum cleaner. This has solved all the straining problems he has had, and speeds up the process dramatically.
He then showed us his heather press, fashioned from a stainless bin, an old metal table frame, and a car bottle jack. Scrapheap challenge is no match for Doug! We are sure he has shares in the shop T J Hughes. His drawer hive came out next. Some of us have seen this before, and its potential for beekeepers with back problems was shown as it removes the need to lift the supers off to inspect the brood chamber.
We then had a discussion on bee diseases, particularly varroa and various methods used to control the mite. Following this, Doug acted as Auctioneer, selling 40 or 50 lots of used beekeeping equipment. Some bargains were snapped up, and a percentage went to club funds.
Roger gave a vote of thanks to Doug for an entertaining day and thanked him for bringing his equipment along and helping with the auction. We than retired to the lawn for refreshments. It was pleasing to meet so many of the new beekeepers in the club and to get an opportunity to chat. Thanks to the Kendal members who came. Thanks to everyone who brought food, and a big thank-you to Roger & Natalia for their hospitality and for all their work in preparing the auction.