Branch History > 1983 - Onwards
This period started with considerable criticism for Warwickshire County Council when it withdrew funding for the County Bee Inspector, and later for the environmental health department for suggesting local beekeepers should be responsible for removing swarms from chimneys, roofs or other fabric of people’s homes.
Mrs Nancy Wilshire was given Honorary Life Membership of the branch in 1985. She donated a silver rose bowl to be awarded to the winner of the honey cake class at the honey show. Meanwhile Myton Hospice was adopted as the beneficiary of the ‘gift’ class.
1986 proved to be a good honey year, with a yield of 250lbs from three colonies at the Harry Bunn Beginners Apiary, a boost to the branch’s finances. Three years later, a new home had to be found due to re-development of the college and the hives were temporarily homed first at Blackdown and then Hampton on the Hill. A further three National hives were installed, but these were damaged from time to time by woodpeckers (requiring netting to deter them), wasps and vandals.
The early 90s saw rising concern over the Varroa mite with all members advised to inspect their hives thoroughly and collect floor scapings for testing by Luddington Research Laboratory. Brian Milward and Bernard Collins attended a varroa training course in 1996 on behalf of the branch and treatment was started first as a precautionary measure and then as a matter of routine.
The turn of the new century brought a flurry of activity and a growth in membership due largely to the Introduction to Beekeeping course. Grants from Action 21 and the National Lottery (Awards for All) were used for a honey extraction unit and new equipment at the teaching apiary which was moved to its current location at Bubbenhall.
| Extract from Apiary Training Plan 2007 (First visit) |
| History Look at the hive notes to find out the history of the hive: - What is the temper of the bees (A=OK, B=?, C=poor) - When were they treated with Apistan - What was the last varroa count |
| First Spring inspection - Is there a Queen (look for eggs or larvae if you can’t find the Queen) - Is there sufficient food until the next inspection (2 weeks time) - Is there sufficient space for the bees - Is there any sign of disease - Is the colony at the strength you would expect for this time of year - Is the colony making swarming preparations |
| Varroa check - Uncap the drone brood and count mites - Put a varroa floor under one hive and monitor the natural drop |