The objective for the 2008 summer season is to create an enjoyable and structured program that harnesses the knowledge and skills of the experienced beekeepers to develoip the less experienced and help new beekeepers to establish their colony to take away into winter 2008/9 whilst improving Apiary stock.

 

EBKA has about 65 members. To deliver the ambition around 20 members actively involved are desirable. The aim is to operate 4 teams to manage the outside hives comprising in each:

  • an experienced wise head having 10+ years experience
  • an established bee-keeper having 5+ years experience
  • a second/third year beekeeper
  • a novice
  • any novice joiners who join during the season attach to the group. are attached to a team as they join.

 

In addition there is a need for floaters to oversee, support, co-ordination and super sub.

 

Straight away 20+ people are involved with capacity to absorb more. Potentially almost 40% of the Branch membership is involved actively.

Each team is allocated:

1.    a pair of outside hives and access to the bee house hives, and

2.    the maintenance to and around their outside hive.

 

A general umbrella program will be set for the apiary but each team is asked to respond actively and dynamically to:

  1. create a nuc for sale to the novice – £50 including the frames at the end of the season
  2. create a nuc for general sale –  £50
  3. requeen one hive
  4. create a nuc to go through the winter
  5. take off and extract the honey
  6. clean and repair their equipment
  7. encourage supporting the stands at the Devon and Honiton shows
  8. apply varroa treatment and feed their colony to pass them on to 2009.

 

The Regional Bee Inspector will attend during a summer Apiary meeting to inspect the hives with the responsible teams and to impart wise words.

 

If you are interested in joining the Apiary activity, please contact Apiary@exeterbees.org