Buzz Club 19th May

The bees may decide to swarm when the bees decide that they need a new place to stay if they need more space. This can also happen when the Queen gets old. The worker bees recognise this and make Queen Cells.

Swarms leave the hive to find a new place to leave and can end up in Trees, Chimneys, gaps in walls. Beekeepers are often called to help collect the bees from these places.

If there is more than one new Queen they will battle until 1 is killed. If a new Queen is needed at the end of a season then you will get a Supercedure and the two Queens will live together until the new year.

Meeting 12th May

Our hive was looking to swarm. You can see this because the bees were making Queen cups and cells. The bees had been bringing in nectar but haven't sealed it up yet so not quite honey yet.

The further we went into the hive the heavier the frames were.

The Buzz Club

Members of the Buzz Club inspecting a hive

Buzz Club Meeting 28th April

Today we learnt how to recognise cells with Larvae in them. You can recognise them by the biscuit coloured seal or if there is a curled up bee inside it.

We didn't need to use the smoker today as the bees were calm and happy.

The Queen wasn't on the frames that we looked at today.

The members held the frames up at their faces to have a close look at the bees moving around on it.

The First Meeting of the year

Today we learnt what each type of Honey bee does.
The workers are females how collect the pollen and nectar from the flowers. The workers also help to look after the queen and the rest of the hive.
The drones are the male bees and they do very little in the hive but are there to mate with the new queens.
The Queen lays the eggs for the new bees. The temperament of the Queen affects the temperament of the rest of the bees.
Also about the hive which has 2 main sections. The Brood Box, where the younger and developing bees live. The Brood are the lava and pupa of the developing bees. Above this is the Super where the bees store their honey.

March Newsletter

Spring is showing signs of arriving and the bees are now out collecting pollen from crocuses and snowdrops.

Pat and I have now worked out our programme for the year starting on the 14th April.

Littlebees, After School and Senior Buzzclubs will all take place on Mondays at the Allotments just below the Ram Inn, South Woodchester. Park in the bottom car park where you will see our trailer.

Littlebees for 5-7 year olds is from 2.30 - 3.30, 
After School Buzzclub for 6-12 year olds is from 3.45 - 4.45
Senior Buzzclub for second year members from 5.00 - 6.00.

The dates are:-14th April, 28th April, 12th May, 19th May, 2nd June, 16th June, 30th June, 14th July, 8th September, 22nd September and a winter wax modeling day.

Each group will have a maximum of 10 members  and the cost for the 11 sessions for the Littlebees and Juniors will be £24, and £36 for the Seniors. Please bring your fee to our first meeting and the attached forms duly signed. If you are unable to print these off, do not worry, read them and I will have some to sign when we first meet.

We provide beekeeping suits  and do have some wellies, but we recommend each child wears trousers and brings their own wellies.

We will have our trailer at the Malvern Show on the 13th 14th and 15th June, and at the Stroud Show on the 19th July. If any of you can attend it would be lovely to see you there.

If you have any concerns or questions please phone or email me

Peter Lead 07768 881950 or email  peterdawnlead@aol.com

 www.stroudbeekeepers.co.uk

First sighting of bees with Pollen

On Sunday the 16th February it was sunny and my bees were collecting yellow and orange pollen, probably from snowdrops and crocuses. On sunny days look out for bees on flowers.