Dear Member,

This month we will meet in the Queen’s Leisure Centre Holywood next Monday the 13th at 7.30.

It was good to see so many out last month and we hope for newcomers that your first experience of a beekeepers meeting did not prove to intimidating. We would be delighted to see you back this month I trust you will find the meeting informative. If too much jargon is in use ask for clarification!

Mr. Joe Thompson one of the most successful, experienced, and I have to say generous beekeepers in Ulster Bee Keepers Association will be giving our beginners a lecture on, the winter bee –metabolism and feeding. You will find this an instructive lecture. Joe is a gifted communicator who can present his addresses so that both beginners and the more experienced can understand and learn.

Dr. Phil Earle our association treasurer will give a lecture on, the alimentary canal of the honeybee. This should prove to be an interesting topic. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Probably about ten other people who look like they know the answer will be delighted that you put your hand up for them!!

Next month yours truly will give a talk to beginners on hives and hive parts. This will be a practical session to enable those of you who have not seen the various components

of a modern beehive do so without the bees getting in the way!

Our Chairperson - Mrs. Esther Ross will give the technical talk on the circulatory system of the honeybee.

Please be reminded that if you have not done so Annual Membership should be renewed, or taken out if you are not already a member in our association. If you have or intend to acquire bees in the incoming beekeeping year it is prudent to take out insurance against third party claims. UBKA insurance is available to those who take out membership and is payable / renewable in January 2009.

Alan Jones our past Chairperson will be in attendance for those of you starting in beekeeping. Alan is the Thorne’s Beekeeping Supplies agent in N.I.

Yours in beekeeping

David McCartney,    
Secretary, BDBKA