BEEMASTER NEWSLETTER WINS AWARD

The Nottinghamshire Beekeepers Association Monthly Beemaster Newsletter has won an award at the National Honey Show !
Our Excellent Monthly Newsletter compiled by our Editor Stuart Humphreys with Regular Contributions by our Members was placed Second.  This recognition of all the efforts by the NBKA to keep our members informed of the latest updates in the Beekeeping world  has been rewarded.  We should all feel proud that our publication is among the best in the Beekeeping Associations UK wide.
Well Done to Stuart and all the regular contributors.

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Another ASIAN HORNET REPORTED  

A report of Asian hornet in the Portsmouth area was received via the Asian Hornet Watch App on 29th October. The report was accompanied by clear photographs, allowing National Bee Unit inspectors to follow up the sighting quickly.

An Asian hornet nest was located in a tree on Saturday 30th October and the nest was killed on Sunday 31st October. The nest will be sent to Fera for analysis and monitoring will continue in the area supported by local beekeepers.

​The first sighting of an Asian Hornet in 2021 has been documented by GovUK in Ascot Berkshire - Keep a Look Out !!!
Update: a nest has been destroyed in the Ascot area of Berkshire
An Asian hornet nest in a poplar tree was killed in the Ascot area of Berkshire on Monday the 11th October. The nest measured approximately 35cm in diameter and monitoring will continue in the area supported by local beekeepers.

Further information regarding the Asian hornet can be found on on Defra's Asian Hornet sightings page and on our BeeBase Asian hornet page. Please direct all media enquiries to the Defra Press Office: 0330 0416560

Use the ‘Asian hornet Watch’ app for Android and  Iphone to report sightings. 

Contact Alec Thomson Team Leader of the NBKA AHAT Team if you spot anything.
Updated by JB 24/10/21​

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OBITUARY - STUART CHING - By Penny Forsyth

​Penny Forsyth pays an admiring tribute to an historian, archivist, editor and friend.

stuart_ching_tribute.pdf
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​Teaching Apiaries and Beginners Courses
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Newark Training Apiary is managed by Andrew Barber who also is the Team Leader for Beginners Courses in the Newark Area.
The Beginners course is run at Coddington Village Hall and is usually of 6 weeks duration followed by "Hands on" Apiary Training.  
Cost £60 for the entire Course.  APIARY TRAINING STARTS 21st MAY 2022 Brackenhurst
Contact Andrew Barber or Griff Dixon 
Nottingham Training Apiary is managed jointly by Alec Thomson and Bob Logan (COMPLETED for 2022)
The Beginners Course starts on Wednesday 2nd March 2022 for 7 weeks until Wednesday 13th April 2022
At Sherwood from 7.30pm till 9.30pm.   Cost £70.00.   
Anyone wishing to attend should contact bob at bob.logan@ntlworld.com, 
See latest Beemaster for more details.
Hucknall Training Apiary is being used for training for the Basic Certificate but if you are a new beekeeper who would like to come along and examine a colony then please contact Janet  Bates 
Beeston Beginners Course  
This Beginners Course is led by Karen Burrow who should be contacted for enrolment.(COMPLETED for 2022) 
Cost £70 for the whole course 
At Canal Heritage Centre, Beeston Rylands,  Beeston,  Nottingham. 
Cafe on site, parking on surrounding street.
See Beemaster for further details.
Updated GD 04/04/22

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Reporting the Presence of Varroa on BeeBase

​On 21st April, 2021 an amendment to the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) Order 2006 comes into force requiring beekeepers and or officials to report the presence of Varroa in any of the hives that they manage. This amendment will allow England to comply with the Animal Health Law which is necessary for future working relationships with the European Union. Similar arrangements are being made in Wales and Scotland. To make this simple, a tick box will be introduced to BeeBase, the voluntary register for beekeepers managed by the National Bee Unit. This will allow beekeepers and inspectors to report the presence or absence of Varroa. Although Varroa is known to be widespread, it continues to be one of the most serious pests faced by beekeepers. Reporting Varroa will contribute to the overall pest and disease surveillance work of the National Bee Unit and we are grateful for your assistance with this new simple measure. 
Posted 13/04/21 GD

​Asian Hornet Threat and AHATs

The Asian hornet is still a threat.  last year was quiet in England but now is the time of year to be especially alert.  
It is likely that the resources of the NBU Bee Inspectors will be overwhelmed if more than 3 or 4 sightings occur at the same time. 
In conjunction with the NBU local BKAs have formed Asian Hornet Action Teams (AHATs) to increase the resources available to support the bee inspectors. Their role will be to confirm sightings/photos/place traps locally/watch for flight lines.
The Association AHATS must quickly become an important reserve on which the NBU can rely to keep outbreaks under control.
The Midlands are coming together for the purpose and Sam Hampton is a coordinator of the larger group.
Destruction of nests will be carried out  by pest control operators.
It is important to report any suspected sightings of this species as soon as possible.  Find out how to identify Asian hornet by downloading an Identification Guide, or visit the BeeBase website.
Yellow legs and a mostly black body are key features.
Note that the AH nests in the UK have not been as large as those found in France.
Ideally photographs and/or a specimen should also be obtained. 
​Sightings must be reported to the NNSS Non-native species secretariat.   alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk
​Any foundress queens that have escaped from nests last year will be about in spring.
​The AHAT coordinator for NBKA is Alec Thomson
See BeeMaster for more AHAT information.
Edited 12/08/21 JB

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