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Fanfare please. Forgive the excitement but I have just completed my first AS - yes, achieved! What a nerve wrecking experience, which wouldn't have been possible without my in house trainee (Mr Pookiesbees). I cannot convey the pleasure or sense of achievement - please let all go well. Thanks...

I did my introduction to beekeeping (8 week) course at Buckfast last year. Excellent course run by an inspirational lady, Claire Densley, who is also a sbi. Claire told us there are no true Brother Adam Buckfast bees left, as they have all bred out with whatever is on the market at the time...

:iagree:

After introducing a new queen and leaving them alone for 9 days, I went for a nosey to check all was ok. Thrilled to say new queen laying like a champion! Eggs and larva, content workers and no drone explosion. Happy days!:hurray:

I had to remove my old queen last night in readiness for the arrival of a new,mated one from Hivemaker. Didn't know how to dispose of her so put her in the freezer, following the advice of my sage supplier, and promptly burst into tears! This bee keeping malarky is thrilling and quite emotional...

I screened using greenhouse screening which works out at about £20 per go. Not the cheapest but effective where I needed something not too wide, high screen. From any garden centre.

Poached egg plant- will repeat flower and sows itself year after year. Great for all buzzy things!

Sorry, yes eggs are presented as are unsealed larvae and some sealed.

I have just one colony, with a queen from 2010, marked and very easy to spot. Had a great first season, came through winter looking hardy and ready for Spring. Have been inspecting regularly for several weeks now and have noticed the amount of sealed brood is low (not even a frame full). Quite a...

Poly Hive, forgive my lack of knowledge but am still learning! You wrote "she was going to start drone laying regardless"; why does this happen to a previously happy queen? What causes her to stop laying fertilised eggs and can we prevent it in some way? Thanks in advance.

First inspection today - lovely warm sun, bit breezy, girls looked great! My children, son 12 and daughter 8, were my able assistants, both kitted up and eager to learn. As we looked closely at the frames and the children told me what they can see, I said we would put the varroa tray on to check...

Have just returned from walking the pooch at a local beauty spot - Cockington Court for the Devonians out there. Passed beneath some bushes and the sound of the local apiary bees was lovely. Buzzing away busily as they collected the goodies from something (?) covered in white blossom. Came home...

My youngest daughter is 8, and dons her suit and wellies with such enthusiasm! She is very capable of manipulating a frame from our hive and will identify brood, stores, eggs and larvae with confidence. Mum (me) is now of the age when "21 again" sounds nice!

I hammered nails in at the appropriate space and have had no mouse trouble, bees in and out quite happily, and hauling dead with gusto. No casualties from cold metal. Quick and easy guard for next to no cost.

If you can get to him, Hivemaker every time. Excellent quality, the girls (if you purchase a nuc too) have the most gentle temperament and Pete will advise as and when you need it. Can't sing his praises enough!

Just discovered the video- great job, thanks!

Just watched this lovely and fascinating clip. Still in my first year of beekeeping and using a National so have no experience of a Top Bar hive. Is no honey collected, are varroa treatments used, what do beeks do with potential swarms? Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

I have followed the advice and views on mouse guards with interest. Still in my first season as a beek, so I am keen to do things the "right way", although I know this will only be in agreement with a small percentage of fellow beeks! Read a thread recently about putting tacks into the entrance...

I love this forum! Advice in bucket loads; take your pick and find your way around the various viewpoints. Characters quickly revealed and I have genuinely warmed to many of the contributors - my very own mentors at the click of a button! I am a newbee and still in the honeymoon period with my...

amazing pictures - thanks everyone!