Looking forward to a new beekeeping year (2012)
As in previous years I would like to open the February newsletter by wishing all the ODBKA members, their family and bees a happy and prosperous New Year.
At this year’s A.G.M we discussed the programme of meetings for 2012. There are a few old favourites in there including of course our Cooking with Honey evening but I hope we have included a few new topics to keep the evenings fresh and interesting to both new and old beekeepers alike.
We also recognised the fact that at present we do not have an Association Apiary. New beekeepers are at present introduced to working with bees by visiting members Apiaries and then buddying up with an experienced beekeeper for help and advice as required.
As the association increases its membership it would now seem appropriate to re-establish an association Apiary for teaching beekeeping and introducing beekeeping to the community at large. Over the coming weeks we will investigate possible sites and funding sources. If anyone has any ideas or experience in making such funding applications please get in touch.
When Jean and I started beekeeping and joined O.D.B.K.A. we were given plenty of help and encouragement from the membership especially from Vincent Thornley and the late Alf Dawes.
I hope we continue to provide the same welcoming and helpful support and would encourage anyone thinking of starting beekeeping to join us.
Paul Lythgoe
Chairman
O.D.B.K.A