Apiary Meeting

Apiary meeting with John Rhodes. He will talk about his experience using Bait Hives

John Rhodes showing us one of his bait hives in the wood.

A wonderful afternoon spent with John Rhodes enjoying the stunning gardens and woodland of his home near Widdington. It’s not far from the M11 as the bee flies but it’s a peaceful haven for wildlife and people alike.

We started our tour of the gardens at an old tree where feral honeybees had made their home a couple of years ago. Badgers were attacking the colony, so John protected the entrance with carpet and metal sheet nailed to the tree. Thinking the space was now empty, John opened up the entrance and unfortunately disturbed a couple of European Hornets! They were quick to fly out stinging poor John on the head as they did so. Ken came to the rescue with antihistamine cream and on we went to light the smoker and find some hives.

John showed us his top bar hive which prompted much discussion. It hadn’t been opened for two years and John seemed reluctant to take the roof off whilst we were there. Not a simple job.

We moved on to the Warre hive to see what was happening in there. Again, it hadn’t been disturbed for a while. The top box was full of very old comb, fascinating to see. Not too many bees in there but it was interesting to see and learn about beekeeping with Warre hives.

We went off into John’s beautiful woodland to find more hives, quick inspection of one (we all stuck our heads in of course and gave various opinions – we are beekeepers!). Then onto the bait hives which John has put up in trees for the last few years. Some have proved successful. I didn’t realise that the bees seal up the entrance hole with propolis until it’s just the right size for one been in and out at a time. Easier to defend. Another example of how clever bees are.

We were very thirsty after our long walk so it was back to the shade of the trees for afternoon tea by the tennis courts. Plenty of tea and of course cake (it wouldn’t be a beekeepers’ meeting without cake).

Huge thanks to John and his lovely wife for inviting us, and to Steph for bringing along her amazing cakes. We need the recipe of the tea loaf Steph! Was it tea loaf? It was very nice.

Apiary meetings are great for learning, sharing skills and just chatting with other beekeepers about those questions that you have in your head but can’t find the answers to in the books. Also, a great opportunity to watch experienced beekeepers work with the bees and learn from them.

Another lovely SWKBA event.

Lizzie Beard 27 06 2022

Fascinating natural comb in the Warre hive.

Apiary Meeting

Marking and Clipping Queens with Deryck Johnson

Deryck showing us the correct way to mark the queen.

It was a lovely afternoon to sit in Deryck’s garden and talk about our favourite topic, bees!

This afternoon’s subject was the marking and clipping of queens. Why we do it, equipment needed and how to do it. After learning the theory, Deryck asked us to suit up (no gloves!) and head for his apiary. I don’t think any of us had worked with a hive without gloves before so that was a new and slightly scary experience.

We were looking for drones to practice on, although on the 3rd frame we spotted the queen, so Deryck marked her to show us the right way to pick her up and hold her whilst she received the yellow mark to denote that she is a 2022 queen. We then took turns at picking drones off the frames, marking them and clipping a wing. No stings received from the workers as we did so. It would have been much more difficult to do with gloves on, although the crown of thorns is an alternative if you don’t have a colony as nicely mannered as Deryck’s. Deryck’s philosophy of “zero tolerance” with bad tempered bees seems to have paid off.

We discussed smoker fuel. Deryck’s recommendation is not to use anything man-made – so not cardboard, it makes them grumpy. A useful tip! He uses hay and sawdust only.

Deryck’s wife Fran treated us to some of her amazing cake and cups of tea. We sat in the sunshine and chatted about bees (of course) some more. It was a very successful and informative afternoon, we learned a lot and made some new bee buddies.

I’m not sure that I will be working with our hives bare handed but it was wonderful to have the opportunity to do it this afternoon.

Many thanks to Deryck and Fran for their hospitality once again.


Lizzie Beard 25 06 2022

Deryck and the rest of the group reassuring me that I wouldn't get stung! Photo by Ali Norden.

Meetings

Ted Hooper Memorial Lecture

Jane and Richard Ridler with Vince Callo

I felt very privileged to be able to visit the Hall of the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers’ in the City of London for the Ted Hooper Memorial Lecture on Saturday. A very special venue. I’ve wanted to visit the Hall since attending a talk by the Master of the Wax Chandlers a few years ago in Saffron Walden.

The event was well attended with EBKA members from across the county.

Jane Ridler welcomed the group and reminded us of who Ted Hooper was and what he did for beekeeping.

“The first Ted Hooper lecture was held in 2016 – a memorial to our illustrious Essex beekeeper and author, who died in 2010 aged 91. Ted Hooper, MBE spent much of the latter part of his life in Chelmsford, having been the Essex County Bee Inspector for some years, lecturing at Writtle College. He was President of the BBKA and EBKA. His book, “Guide to Bees & Honey” has sold 100,000 copies. A great beekeeper and a lovely man”

Jane also thanked Anthony Bickmore who is currently the Master of the Wax Chandlers and is a member of Harlow Div, EBKA. He facilitated the venue for us and made it possible for us to have our meeting there.

The subject for this year’s lecture was “How to build honeycomb – a bricklayer’s perspective”, the guest speaker was Vince Callo. Vince went into great detail about how honey bees make hexagons, and it was fascinating. I must admit I got lost a few times along the way but did find it very interesting. I’ve often looked at a frame in awe at the skill of the bees. Vince is currently working on a PHD and quoted many papers that have been written over the years covering this subject.

The words “Stigmergy”, “push” and “shove” sum it up nicely.

Who knew that hexagons are quite common in nature? Look around and you’ll see them in all sorts of places.

The lecture was followed by very welcome cups of tea and some very hearty servings of hummingbird cake. I wasn’t brave enough to tackle one!
We had the opportunity to listen to Stanley, The Beadle of the Wax Chandlers, who was most entertaining. Stanley looks after the day-to-day management of the Hall. He talked about the Wax Chandlers and gave us a potted history of their last 650 years. He had some very amusing stories but also some very sad ones. Stanley described their relationship with their neighbours the Goldsmiths’ Company over the centuries. I’m sure they work together well now but they haven’t always been the best of friends!

Stanley described the various items on display in the room, ceremonial regalia, charters from royalty, ancient maps and photos. It was wonderful to be able to see them.

If you’d like to learn more about the Wax Chandlers, their history and their role today, take a look at their very informative website.
https://www.waxchandlers.org.uk/#top

Lizzie Beard 21/06/2022

The Wax Chandlers' Hall Dining Room Window