FEB 1^ST.

THE BEE FRIENDLY GARDEN

Now is the time to plan and plant your garden for the forthcoming year. Val Brooks, formerly Senior Lecturer in Horticulture at Hartpury will illustrate garden plants and wild flowers that you might encourage for your bees.

MARCH 1^ST.

MY FIRST YEARS OF BEEKEEPING

Starting to keep bees and learn the craft can be both daunting and humorous. Peter Lawson-Smith will recount his early beekeeping years – its trials, tribulations and successes.

March 10^th

GBKA AGM

Hartpury Village Hall

See here for more information

APRIL 5TH

SWARM DETECTION AND CONTROL

A beekeeper of exceptional skill and experience and well known honey show judge far and wide, Arthur Taylor will describe his tried and tested methods of keeping your bees at home and maximising honey yield.

MAY 3^RD.

TESTING FOR RESISTANT VARROA AND TREATMENT METHODS

Dave Sutton our Regional Bee Inspector will describe the latest methods of detection and treatment. It is now evident that many Gloucestershire colonies have resistant mites and, to ensure survival of your bees, and integrated pest management routine is now essential.

MAY 12^TH

GBKA LECTURE AND AUCTION OF BEEKEPPING EQUIPMENT AT HARTPURY COLLEGE

See here for more information

JUNE 7^TH

MICROSCOPY OR MAKING AND USING A NUCLEUS HIVE.

JULY 5^TH

EVENING MEETING AND BARBEQUE AT OUR BRANCH APIARY AT STRAWBERRY HILL

AUGUST

NO MEETING

SEPT. 6^TH

HONEY EXTRACTION, BOTTLING AND SELLING

SEPT 8^TH

NEWENT ONION FAYRE

OCT. 4^TH

BRANCH HONEY SHOW

NOV. 1^ST.

BRANCH AGM. MEMBERS EVENING SHOW AND TELL

Following a short AGM Branch members will be invited to bring beekeeping gadgets and ideas and/or recount the past season’s beekeeping experiences.

DEC. 6^TH

BRANCH CHRISTMAS DINNER

Start the Christmas festivities early with a new venture, provisionally at Mrs Miggins at Hazlefields Nurseries, cost per head approx. £14.