RVBKA is a thriving community of
beekeepers currently with over fifty active members. We are based in
Limavady, Northern Ireland and meet monthly on the third Wednesday.
This
website will provide members with information about
forthcoming events, visitors with some information about our club, and
amateur beekeepers with a regular update on what we are doing, and what
you should be doing too in your own aipary.
Come back for updates on the club's activity, by bookmarking our homepage.
New members are always welcome, irrespective of your previous level of knowledge or experience. To make contact go to the contacts page or email from the link below.
Bee watch 2008
Look out for details here of Leo's colony inspections at the apiary, and follow the progress of our club nuc during this season.
April
For those worrying about slippery decking boards, Dave provided the answer with an excellent covering layer, so it's now safe for Billy to make a return. The apiary is tidied, and we even had time to have a look at the bees. Leo introduced a new nucleus hive: Next month he will begin a series of inspections/ demonstrations for those who need a bit of guidance on increasing colony numbers, using the nuc as the source. The dates of inspections will be posted here.
Sam's breakdown of our winter losses shows higher than predicted loss across the club at all levels of experience. The circumstances varied but Sam's analysis pointed towards Varroa as the most likely link along with the effects of the poor season, including poorly mated new queens which accounted for a disproportionate number. The full detail will be here soon. Meanwhile if you need help with the ready reconer for varroa level estimation, its on the Varroa link.
We need your help to provide information, pictures, advice, problems to share or anything else you want to see on these pages. Send your stuff to Billy (info@rvbka.co.uk). He will pass it to Alan for uploading.
Check out the Newly uploaded photos of RVBKA members in the club photos section. You'll also find a full membership list in the members only area (but you'll need your password)
Do you need help?
There are many new beekeepers in RVBKA, who might benefit from the advice & expertise of the more established members. If you would like to be paired with a mentor from the club, get in contact. We know where you live!
NEWS
DIGEST
Recent news stories
Click on the image controls to play. These will only work on computers with Flash installed and may be slow to load or interrupted depending on your connection speed. finde out more about flash including free install at: http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/about/
You will find other news stories in the news archive pages
For the budding chefs and cooks out there An invitation to submit your favourite honey based recipe
‘Britain’s Best Dish’ is a contest to find Britain’s very own best starter, main course and dessert. ITV are looking for ordinary people (i.e. people who aren’t head chefs with years of experience behind them) to cook their signature dishes and enter them into the mix. The overall winner receives the ultimate accolade of ‘Britain’s Best Dish’ and receives a £10,000 cash prize. The judges are Jilly Goolden, Ed Baines and John Burton Race. They are holding auditions in Liverpool on Saturday 31st May and can fly anyone who would like to take part from Northern Ireland. It would be wonderful if someone came with a dish that incorporated honey in some way which is why I’m getting in touch with you but the dish can be anything
We are affiliated to the Ulster Beekeepers Association. Click on their logo to visit the UKBA website
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE BEEKEEPING RELATED GOODS OR SERVICES ON THIS SITE, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSOCIATION SECRETARY BY EMAIL, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
For the budding chefs and cooks out there
For all your beekeeping supplies at Thornes catalogue prices MINUS postage, contact