Newcastle and District Beekeepers' Association

Even More February Tasks

It is important to make sure the bees have enough stores to survive though the severe winter
we are experiencing. Heft the colony by lifting up the back of the hive, as a rule of thumb if it
is difficult to lift then it likely has sufficient stores (20-25kg of stores for an average winter).
Alternatively on warm days when the bees fly, remove the crown board, look down the side
of the frames and assess the level of the stores. If bees are starving there are several
options of rescuing the colony. First, you can feed the colony with frames of honey. Second,
feed the colony with sugar syrup using a suitable feeder. Third, spray a weak sugar solution
on to them and then place an empty comb filled with sugar syrup adjacent to the bees.
Finally, the colony can be fed fondant.

More tips for Home

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Welcome

Newcastle & District Beekeepers (NBKA) is a welcoming group of beekeepers who share a common interest in local beekeeping.

Our Association covers North and South Tyneside, Newcastle and the eastern end of Northumberland.

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP OUR ASSOCIATION GROW?

We're looking for new Committee Members. Get in touch if you're interested newcastlebeekeepers [AT] yahoo.co.uk
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We have an all round meeting schedule indoors and outdoors including talks, beekeeping demonstrations, bring and buy sales for equipment, and live apiary sessions during the Summer months.

Our members come from all walks of life and all generations, with new members especially welcome.

For full details take a look at the MEMBERSHIP page. We enjoy meeting new people interested in our beekeeping and you're welcome to come along to meetings to find out more, have a chat and decide if you'd like to become a member.

Join us on Facebook for meeting reminders and general updates

To get a free email copy of our newsletter sign up here. We will NEVER pass your details on.

News Flash

Newcastle Beekeepers Flickr photo collection at http://www.flickr.com/photos/newcastlebees/

Next Evening Meeting

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Stimulating Honey Production . Kyle Miller

Talk followed by open forum

7pm start, finishes 9pm

All welcome for chatting, advice, books, badges and a damn good time. Newbies and interested parties can come to 3 meetings for free. Library books available to collect/return.

Venue: Lecture Theatre, John Marley Centre, Muscott Grove, Newcastle NE15 6TT.

An Introduction to Beekeeping

Ten week course starts Weds 14 March. More details here http://www.bbka.org.uk/local/newcastle/started/an-introduction-to-beekeeping.shtml

Basic Beekeeping Courses 2012

Great Beekeeping Courses on offer next Spring from long time member and North East master beekeeper Ian Wallace, book early! Pure Honeycomb http://ow.ly/7OT9t

For Sale

The BBKA Pictorial Guide to a Healthy Hive

22 Colour photographs showing bees working on British Standard National Brood Frames, together with photographic examples to help identify common pests and diseases.

£8 each from our Librarian Frank Hopper or any Committee Member.

National Diploma in Beekeeping Board short courses for advanced beekeeping

£95, Sherburn Co Durham .The courses are designed to complement the annual Advanced Beekeeping courses run at the National Bee Unit in York.

Short Courses (88 KB)

Basic Beekeeping Exam 2011

Would anyone who has kept bees for more than one year and who is interested in taking BBKA's Basic Certificate in Beekeeping exam this year please contact Kyle Miller.

Association Library

The Association has an extensive Library of books and videos for your use, to access this rescource please ask at at your next meeting, or contact our Librarian, Barbara Keating to arrange to bring the requested book to the next meeting.

Newcastle Beekeepers Library (38 KB)

Association Badges

We have a number of Association enamel badges available for members to purchase for £2.50. Contact David Varty on 01207 570229

Support Bees for Development

Newcastle beekeepers support the work of Bees for Development. Bees are essential for life. Beekeeping is an effective way for poor people to strengthen their livelihoods and fight poverty. Bees for Development provides information to assist them.

The Latest...

Looking for Local Honey?

SWARM CONTACT LIST
Swarm contacts listing for the Newcastle & District Beekeepers Association. Please check here if you have a honey bee swarm before picking up the phone.

An Introduction to Beekeeping
10 week intro to beekeeping.

2012 Membership Subscription Form
Download the 2012 membership form here.

Eric Tourneret, the Bee Photographer
This guy travels around the world meeting beekeepers and taking amazing photos.