Forums now online

Last Updated (Sunday, 30 March 2008 13:12) Written by Joanne Corless Sunday, 30 March 2008 08:00

The Lancaster Beekeepers discussion forums are now online - They can be accessed from the Forums button at the top of the page

If you are already registered and logged in - You should be able to start using the forums straight away. Otherwise you will be able to read public posts but will need to register to be able to reply and access future members only area's of the forums 

Please take a look and make use of this facility - We've got a vibrant and very active association and alot of beekeeping knowledge out there - it would be fantastic if some of that knowledge was shared.

We have a limited number of forums at the moment - More can be created as and when there is a demand for them - please post your suggestions for new forums in the suggestions forum on the board.

There is also special section for beginners - A place to ask all those questions that run through your mind as a new beekeeper (Webmaster - "I've a feeling it will be me making the majority of posts in there")

So please come along and join in - They are what you, the members of Lancaster Beekeepers - make them

Annual Bee Report 2007 - Northern Region

Last Updated (Wednesday, 13 February 2008 11:04) Written by Lancaster Beekeepers Saturday, 02 February 2008 20:08

Ian Molyneux's annual report is now available in the Downloads area for Registered Members, there are several points worthy of note.

[1] EFB (European Foul Brood) was found in Cumbria for the first time in 15 years

[2] New cases of resistant varroa mites in many areas. - Our oxalic acid safari should help us here.

[3] Abnormal colony loses - see note below received from Stewart Beattie Please read the sections on colony losses and Nosema ceranae as there are details of the specific actions to be taken if necessary.

There is also reference to the "Bailey " comb exchange which we will be demonstrating as per our programme on May 17th.

Are yours greater than usual? The National Bee Unit (NBU) is concerned over the increase in bee colony losses during the past 10 years.

With new disease pathogens e.g Nosema ceranae, etc. and the advent of pyrethroid resistant varroa mites an increase may be expected so it is important that losses are recorded and that the NBU is informed of its true extent.

If you suffer bee colony losses greater than usual please seal up the colonies and discuss your case with your Regional Bee Inspector, the NBU or your Seasonal Bee Inspector, before destroying the remains.

The NBU, using molecular diagnostics, will be surveying a number of selected apiaries to ascertain the disease pathogens, including viruses, present in both live and dead colonies.

It will not be possible to sample every affected apiary but we need to know the extent of your losses and if you are willing to participate in a sampling programme.

You can contact the NBU on Tel: 01 904 462 510 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Details of Regional and Seasonal Bee Inspectores are available from your association or http://beebase.csl.gov.uk

Full articles about the survey will be published

Richard Ball

National Bee Inspector, NBU

October 2007 News

Last Updated (Wednesday, 02 January 2008 21:27) Written by Joanne Corless Sunday, 30 September 2007 23:00

Lancaster & District Beekeepers Annual Honey Show

The annual Honey show will take place on Tuesday 30^th October. The venue this year is Ashtrees Surgery, Market Street, Carnforth, Lancs, LA5 9JU. There is plenty of parking either in Booths car park, or in the streets in the vicinity of the building. Exhibitors can arrive from 6,30 pm onwards, so that we can begin setting up early. Click here to download a Schedule and an Entry form. Please e-mail your entry form to the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it as soon as you can.

Lancashire & NW Beekeepers Annual Convention October 2007

The Lancashire and North West Beekeepers Association annual Autumn Convention took place Saturday October 20^th 2007 in Clitheroe. It was a resounding success. Attendance numbers were high with delegates from all the branches having the opportunity to meet, discuss beekeeping and listen to two world class speakers. Prof. Robert Pickard had been speaking at the National Honey Show the previous week. He gave an unforgettable and fascinating talk in the morning session entitled 'The Wonderful Things About Bees'. This was an excellent look into amazing facts about the Honeybee. His afternoon session entitled 'The Evolution of Societies' took listeners on a winding journey into everything from the highly social structure of honeybee colonies, to our world of politics, natural history, history of mankind, religion, science, war, famine and social aspects of life on Earth. If you have never heard Rob speak, then you do not know what you are missing, as he is one of the best speakers you will ever hear.

Dr Juliet Osborne gave us an outline of the interesting work she has been doing at Rothamsted studying bumblebee and honeybee flights by harmonic radar tracking. Her afternoon session looked at bumblebee ecology and conservation and judging by the number of questions asked, it generated a lot of thought and interest amongst delegates. Martin Smith, vice-chairperson of the BBKA closed the meeting by congratulating Barbara Roderick on such a well organised convention. The Lancashire & Northwest BKA plan to have a spring convention next March for the first time. More details when we get them.

BBKA Examination

Congratulations to Richard Wilson, who has successfully completed modules 1 & 2 of the written BBKA examinations. Well done!

Extraordinary General Meeting

Will club members please note that the committee have called an EGM, prior to the AGM at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 20th November 2007 at Hala Carr Community Centre to discuss proposed changes to our constitution. The AGM and prize giving will then follow on. Details & agenda in the members area. Please remember to bring a method of payment to renew your subscriptions for 2008.

Oxalic Acid Safari

Due to the extremely mild October, we will almost certainly have to put the Oxalic acid safari back until December as there is evidence of Queens still laying, and colonies will not be broodless. We will keep you informed of when we are planning to do it. However we are starting to collect names of members who wish a treatment. Please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you wish to book a treatment. Lancaster Beekeepers have produced a DVD outlining the use of Oxalic acid, which is available for members to borrow, and if you require further information, here is the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products report on the safety of Oxalic acid, and an article from Berlin University outlining between 97.3% and 98.8% efficacy of Oxalic acid treatment in broodless colonies.

Members area on the Website

The members area is now available to Lancaster Beekeepers club members only. Members will be issued with a new password each year when they pay their subscriptions.

European Foulbrood

Members should be aware that there is a suspected case of EFB in the South Lakes region, very close to Lancaster. We currently have no confirmation of this.

September 2007 News

Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00) Written by Joanne Corless Sunday, 02 September 2007 20:28

September/October Meeting date changes

The annual Honey show has now been re-arranged from Tuesday 23^rd October to the following week Tuesday 30^th October. Please note the Ashton Hall Garden centre Apple & Pear festival is now on one day only, Saturday 13th October 2007. We will have an educational stand at this venue.

Lancaster & District Beekeepers Annual Honey Show

The annual club Honey Show will take place on Tuesday 30^th October. The venue this year is Ashtrees Surgery, Market Street, Carnforth, Lancs, LA5 9JU. There is plenty of parking either in Booths car park, or in the streets in the vicinty of the building. Exhibitors can arrive from 6,30 pm onwards, so that we can begin setting up early. Click here to download a Schedule and an Entry form. Please e-mail your entry form to the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it as soon as you can.

Signing up to ask the Prime Minister to Increase funding for research into honey bees at the National Bee Unit and other institutions

This petition was created by Pete MacKenzie and reads:

'We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Increase funding for research into honey bees at the National Bee Unit and other institutions.'

Please click on the link below if you wish to add you signature to this petition.

Lancashire & NW Beekeepers Annual County Show & Autumn meeting October 2007

The Lancashire and North West Beekeepers Association Annual County Show & Autumn meeting will be held on Sunday October 14^th 2007 at West Bradford Village Hall, Gridelton Road. West Bradford, Clitheroe BB7 4TE.

Click here for details of the programme, schedule, recipes and entry form. Entries must be in by 21^st September.

Lancashire & NW Beekeepers Annual Convention October 2007

The Lancashire and North West Beekeepers Association annual Autumn Convention will be held on Saturday October 20^th 2007 at West Bradford Village Hall, Gridelton Road. West Bradford, Clitheroe BB7 4TE. This years guest speakers will be hotfooting it from the National Honey Show. Prof. Robert Pickard is the speaker who people queue early to ensure a place at his lectures at both Stoneleigh and The National Honey Show. He is the Director-General of the British Nutrition Foundation, Emeritus Professor of neurobiology at the University of Cardiff, which he joined in 1972, and is a member of the Consumers’ association Council (Which?). He is an international authority on the biology of honeybees, former editor of the Journal of Apicultural Research and President of both the Cardiff Beekeepers Association and the Central Association of Beekeepers. He is also a member of the EuroFIR Council, which co-ordinates composition records on 21,000 foods in 47 institutions in 25 different countries. He will be giving two talks entitled 'The Wonderful Things About Bees' and 'The Evolution of Societies'.

Dr Juliet Osborne is a Pollination Ecologist from Rothamstead Research. She heads the department of Plant & Invertebrate Ecology and is a leading expert on bumblebees and bumblebee behaviour. She is currently studying the ecology of pollinator behaviour and is also examining insect flight patterns with harmonic radar. She will be giving a talk entitled 'Bumblebee Behaviour & Ecology.

Admission prices are £8.00 for a full day, £4.00 for a half day (morning or afternoon) and juniors under 18 are free. Bookings through Barbara Roderick in advance by E-Mail, tel or post and pay on the day.Your support is appreciated, we do need the numbers as this is probably the most expensive Convention that the county have ever put on, quality speakers don’t come cheap. This day would be enjoyed by beekeepers and none beekeepers alike so all friends would be welcome.

Click here for a handout regarding the forthcoming convention with programme details, contact details and how to book your place. Last years convention was a great success, very informative and a great opportunity to meet other beekeepers from our area association. Thoroughly recommended.

New Lancashire & NW Beekeepers Membership categories/capitation fees

The committee have met to discuss the necessary changes in future fees structure for the club in response to the changes in the BBKA constitution, the new membership categories and the changes in the Lancashire and North West fee structure. The secretary and treasurer will update us in due course.

BBKA Basic Examination

Sadly the BBKA examinations for our Lancaster candidates had to be cancelled this year at the last minute due to administration problems. Hopefully there will be more candidates next year as we hope some of the recent beginners who have now been keeping bees for over one year will be interested in sitting it next summer as well.

Colony Collapse Disorder

^{There continues to be plenty of media coverage on CCD in the USA in both the media and the beekeeping press. Click the icon for an interesting Discovery News article on CCD}