Things are buzzing in Penrith!
Following the successful procurement of funding from Eden District Council, the Pride in Penrith Lottery,and Scot Mid Co-operative Society, Penrith Beekeepers Association (PBKA) was able to go ahead with the construction of the Association Apiary in the orchard at Acorn Bank (the National Trust property just outside Penrith). Photos 3 apiary
During January, the PBKA Committee consulted with other Cumbria Branches and the Regional Bee Inspectors about how the apiary should be managed, to ensure that the bees would be effectively monitored and the risk of spreading disease would be minimised. As a result, the appointment of two apiary managers and the Apiary Rules and were approved at the AGM in February and the Association Apiary was officially opened on ‘Buzz and Blossom Day’ on 10th May.
Two hives were donated by branch members and two others by Scot Mid Co-operative.
During the season the warm summer weather helped the bee colonies thrive which enabled us to provide one of our new member ‘beginner beekeepers’ with her first nuc.
Swarming has, however, been a challenge throughout the summer and although the varroa count was neglible at the beginning of the season, numbers increased during July and August . Members have also reported hives becoming ‘queen less’ , frequent and repeated swarming and high varroa counts. Honey yields have, however, been bountiful this year and PBKA has produced 108 lbs of ‘Acorn Bank’ honey .
The Association Apiary has been the focus of several branch meetings during the season. It has (1 photo) enabled new beekeepers to observe the colony developments alongside more experienced members. We have also run two ‘Introducing Beekeeper Courses’ during July which were attended by 38 aspiring beekeepers. The course covered provided a comprehensive practical and theoretical introduction to bee keeping and the feedback indicated that it was highly valued by all the participants.
Our outreach schools programme has continued. During March a classes of 10 year olds at Stainton Primary School enjoyed furthering their knowledge about beekeeping and designing our new logo (5/6 photo) . In July three other primary schools worked with our bee keepers on projects about bees and other pollinating insects. This included two classes spending a day at Acorn Bank where we collaborated with National Trust staff and volunteers to provide them with an opportunity to learn more about the insects, plants and trees that can be found on the site as well as visiting the apiary site. Rory Stewart MP, briefly joined us for one of these sessions. This year the PBKA has worked with 219 children.
In addition to running sessions at Acorn Bank, PBKA has been invited to promote an awareness of the importance of bees at other events. As part of their programme of community links, B & Q (1 photo) invited PBKA to provide an information stand and an observation hive during the opening weekend of their new Penrith Branch. PBKA was also instrumental in the development of the ‘Bee Festival’, (1 photo)held for the first time at Brougham Hall at the end of August. In partnership with other local organisations, the event provided opportunities for members to sell their honey and other bee related products, run children’s activities, provide visitors to the event with information about bees and hold the branch honey extraction session in a studio on the site. As in previous years, in October, PBKA will participate in Apple Day at Acorn Bank which provides similar opportunities.
PBKA was also invited to host one of the Fera Programmes on ‘Good Bee Husbandry’. It took place at Newbiggin Village Hall on 12th July and was attended by 63 beekeepers drawn from across Cumbria, the north of England & Dumfries and Galloway. Four Regional Bee Inspectors provided an extremely informative programme of workshops about disease recognition and management.
Although the funding we originally raised has enabled us to construct the apiary, further funding has also been needed to maintain its development and purchase essential equipment. Local organisations have been approached and we received a £300 grant from the Lions Club. Raffles and hosting a evening for the sale of Neals Yard products has raised a further £200. This contribution to our funds will enable PBKA to apply for further funding from other sources during the next few months.
The higher profile and of the organisation has attracted seventeen new members during the summer months. Things are really buzzing in Penrith!