Beekeeping News
Chairman’s Choice – Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust entitled Conservation
Our second winter talk was a non-beekeeping talk from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust entitled Conservation Credentials. Bob and Chris came to talk
Preparing for a Module exam
Exam fever has taken over our association. Flush from successes in the Basic some of us decided to join the County study group for Module
A National Honey Show Judge’s Steward by Julia Wigfield
I’ve been a Judges’ Steward a few times at our Association Honey Show and also at The County Honey Show and have always thoroughly enjoyed
Bee Nutrition – Tuesday 15th October
Our first winter talk was given by our Apiary Manager Bob Gilbert. Bob has over 40 years experience in beekeeping and the subject of the
Final Apiary Meeting of the Year and the obligatory Conker Championship 2024
by James Mundye Tuesday 1st October saw our final Tuesday apiary meeting of the season. This was an opportunity to give the bees a
Novice Entries by Simon Gniadkowski
Warwickshire County Honey Show – A novice is defined as an entrant that hasn’t previously won a first prize at the county show, having never
WARWICKSHIRE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION County Honey Show 2024
KINGS HILL NURSERY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2024 Judges: Debbie Smith, Hazel Blackburn & Claire O’Brien Stewards: Julia Wigfield, Alison Vaux (Sutton Coldfield & North Birmingham)
A County Show Steward by Alison Vaux
I really didn’t know what to expect when I volunteered to be a steward at Warwickshire County Honey Show and was a little nervous when I
Sutton Coldfield & North Birmingham Beekeepers Association Branch Honey Show 21st September 2024
Judges : Peter Lewis & Dave Shannon Stewards: Julia Wigfield, Becca Mundye, Lisa Daymond-King & Lee Greatorex. We had an amazing Honey Show on 21st
Summer Course 2024 comes to a close by Julia Wigfield
We had a great turnout over the 17 week Summer Course in our Beginners Apiary, which ran from May through to September. James kept
The Canwell Show
By Leonie Williams The Canwell Show returned after a break away on 10th August and North Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield Beekeeping Association had a stand
Great Yorkshire Show
A couple of our members attended the final day of the Great Yorkshire Show based in Harrogate on Friday 12th July. The focus was the
Summer BBQ
By Leonie Williams Our annual summer BBQ took place on one of the two days of summer that we have had so far (how lucky!).
Bioblitz 2024
Sutton Park is one of the largest urban parks in Europe, being some 2,200 acres in area and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), it
Auction for Julian’s charity
A sale and auction was held on 1st June for members of Sutton Coldfield and North Birmingham beekeepers. This included feeders, hive parts, electric extractors
Summer Beginners Course
by Julia Wigfield Led by James Mundye, assisted by 4 Instructors, Steve, Phil, Jitesh & Julia Sutton Coldfield Association runs a 17 week Summer practical
Spring Convention visit
The British Beekeepers Association Spring Convention 2024 kicked off for the 46th year on Friday 12th April at Harper Adams University. This was during a
Remembering Julian Routh…
Remembering Julian Routh… On Sunday 14th April, we gathered at our Apiary with some of Julian’s family to plant a commemorative apple tree. Our Association shared
Apiary Opening
Our Apiary opened on Saturday 6th April for our first meet up and maintenance sessions. We split into a few groups and diligently undertook our
Microscopy day at Stoneleigh
On Saturday 3rd February a group of around 16 people headed to WBKA headquarters at Stoneleigh for a day of microscopy. The motivation was different
Winter Beginner’s Course
Our 6 week winter beginners course started on Tuesday 6th February. We have had a record number of places this year, with 20 ‘newbees’ taking
Annual General Meeting Report
Chairman’s Report 2023 Each year when I sit down to write this report I think to myself, all I need to do is get last
Christmas 2023
Our Association Christmas Dinner was held at Wishaw Country Sports Club on Tuesday 12th December. It was a cold and wet evening, but gathering in the
The Bees and Wasps of Sutton Park
by Leonie Williams Our most recent talk was from PhD student Aaron Bhambra and was entitled The Bees and Wasps of Sutton Park. We all
Skep Making Course
By Leonie Williams The Heritage Craft Association is the UK’s advocacy body for traditional heritage crafts and publishes a red list which is a list
Apiary Close and the Conker Championship 2023
Autumn marks two important events in our calendar. With our bees fed, treated and checked for health, it was time to close up our training
WARWICKSHIRE BEE KEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION COUNTY HONEY SHOW 2023
By Julia Wigfield and Leonie Williams It was an 08.00 start for staging at the venue in Coventry, Julia, Fiona & Leonie managed to finish
End of the Summer Beginner’s Course
Our 17 week practical summer beginners course ended on Sunday 27th August. This was marked with a quiz on subjects we covered on our course
Sutton Coldfield & North Birmingham Beekeepers Association Annual Honey Show
Sunday 17th September 2023 Judges Peter Lewis – Yorkshire David Shannon – Yorkshire Stewards Todd, Leonie & Julia The doors opened for staging the exhibits
Basic Bee Exam 2023
Basic Exam Results 2023 This year we had five people go for the Basic exam. The Basic test is a practical test to show the
The Fort Shopping Centre Eco Festival
Thursday 27th July saw Sutton Beekeepers once again support The Fort Shopping Centre Eco Festival. With a steady flow of visitors to our outreach stall,
Summer BBQ
Our association BBQ took place on Thursday 20th July with 75 Sutton beekeeping members, friends, family and invited guests attending the social event of the
BBKA Healthy Bee Certificate
On 1st July and 15th July, four members, Will Van De Merwe, Todd Wilkins, Julia Wigfield and Richard Evans have had their assessment at our
Gardener’s World Live
I responded to the request this year for stewards at the Gardner’s World Live at the NEC, and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Re-opening of Hams Hall Apiary – the story!
UPDATE !! What a great evening, and thank you to all those members who attended, we had about 30 people there. Dan and Luke were
Summer Course 2023 Begins
The fully booked Summer course has now start, started on Sunday 7th May at our Associations Apiary. It lasts for 17 weeks and below is
Food behind bars
Our association was approached back in 2021 by the charity organisation Food Behind Bars. They wanted our help to give training to Swinfen prison staff
Annual General Meeting Report
Chairman’s Report 2022 With Covid restrictions lifted, our association was back hosting our 6-weekwinter beginners’ course at Langley School. 15 people participated with some continuing their education later in the year on our 17-week summer course. Our thanks go to Julian,
Opening of the Apiary
The daffodils are out, and that can only mean one thing Spring is round the corner. With that in mind, we will be looking to
Christmas Meal 2022
On Tuesday 13th we came together for our Christmas meal, which was once again held at the Wishaw Country Sports Venue. The food was excellent
BuzzFest
On Sunday 2nd October Sutton and North Birmingham Beekeeping Association supported the Fort Shopping Centre BuzzFest event. Giant stilt walking insects, accordion playing ants and
World Bee Day
Sutton Coldfield Apiary took part in celebrating World Bee Day. We had a stand in Sutton Park to explain the importance of bees in our
Apiary Spring Clean
Members of the Sutton Coldfield and North Birmingham Beekeepers Association got together recently for a thorough spring clean of the apiary in Sutton Park. Despite
Latest news from Bees Abroad
Recently, Becca Mundye, a young beekeeper, went to visit our projects in Uganda where she held a series of workshops aimed at supporting beekeepers to