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Can I post this here? I've just published a book on Apideas that I've been working on quietly for some years. It's a practical manual intended to guide people through using these for queen mating. 250 pages, over 280 colour photos and illustrations. More details, page previews and ordering...

A heads up for you - usual caveats apply regarding location, climate, etc. I've been round 5 sites today, checked ~50 colonies, and all are suffering pollen shortage to a lesser or greater degree. I saw very few of the returning foragers today bringing in pollen, where they had pollen loads...

In a different thread about the BBKA, the following question was asked: IMHO it's a jolly, and as far as drawing youngsters into beekeeping it appears to be a waste of vast sums of money. Have a look for yourself. This year's event cost circa £55,500. 20 teams of 3 youngsters attended for a 3...

I have several copies to hand but none newer than a 9th edition of 1946. I see NBB have a 16th edition, with ten additional pages (110 vs. 100). The 9th edition recounts Method 1, a variation on Method 1, Method 2, and a variation on Method 2, all in chapter 1, then other swarm control methods...

As per the title, really - following the warm December weather, I've found additional wasp queens tucked up under hive roofs. Currently running at about 1:8 for queens found : hives checked, or 1-2 per apiary. The record so far was four in 23 hives. I have been removing and destroying them...

The BBKA needs to change. An idea the gets kicked around from time to time is 'One member, one vote'. The current system is that the BBKA is an association of associations (counties, usually). Each county nominates a representative (Delegate) who goes to the January Annual Delegate Meeting...

This is a 2-day course looking at honey bee behaviour, suitable for those with some beekeeping experience. It can be a good refresher for those who are preparing to sit the Module 6 exam. It is run as part of the NDB Short Course programme by Dan Basterfield NDB. Description: We will explore...

Looking for something smaller that will rotate and move a drum in areas where the forklift can't go. These pop up all over the place rated at 360Kg, are they any use? I already have this sort of drum trolley but it's a 2 man lift to rotate a drum of honey: Looking for something easier/safer!

Almost a year ago, I complained to a number of 'bigwigs' at the BBKA that the website was not fit for purpose. I had lost patience with what I saw as a cosmetically-driven waste of money, but as well as strong critique I provided clear advice on how to resolve the problems. My biggest concern...

As part of the NDB Short Courses series, we are trialing two two-day courses as an add-on to the Harper Adams Spring Convention this year. The courses run at the college on the Sunday (6th) and Monday (7th) of the Convention, 9:30 - 16:30. (If you are attending just for the Short Courses, you...

We still have a couple of places free on this course this coming weekend, which is very appropriate to anybody studying for Module 6 at the moment. It will be held at the Kent Science Resource Centre, near Sittingbourne. More course details and application forms are available on the NDB...

Following the sad passing of Terry West earlier this year, there is to be an auction of his beekeeping equipment and books arranged on behalf of his widow by the Cornwal BKA. Terry was a well-known and respected beekeeper, bee farmer, and queen raiser, who will be missed at the meetings he so...

The BBKA book list has been updated, and a new PDF version is available on the BBKA website - look under Learn - Modules - Book list. In updating the list, priority was given to titles which are currently available from the usual booksellers and which cost less that £30. Many that are hard to...

I've had a late cancellation for this course, running on Sunday 3rd & Monday 4th Feb near Honiton in Devon. The course is part of the NDB Short Courses programme, and subsidised by the FERA Healthy Bees Plan programme. This one looks at adult bee diseases, principally Acarine, Amoeba, and...

The International Bee Research Association (IBRA) will be publishing a new book called Plants for Bees in August of this year. This is a comprehensive update of FN Howes' authoritative text, Plants and Beekeeping, significantly expanded to include plants of importance to bumble bees and...

The National Diploma in Beekeeping (NDB) short courses are intended for those who are studying towards the more advanced UK Beekeeping Association assessments, or for those involved in teaching within their local associations. They are led by NDB-qualified tutors and are restricted to small...

I am running a number of one-day General Husbandry preparation days, at my honey farm here in Devon. The dates are: 29th April 6th May 21st May The intention is to cover the pre-requisites, theory, and practical elements. Discussions will be driven by your own questions, and the apiary session...

Hello all, I've just spotted that IBRA (International Bee Research Association) are having a 20% off sale on some of their titles during January. Click here for details. Discounted titles include Dade's Anatomy & Dissection, William Kirk's excellent Colour Guide to the Pollen Loads of the...

14th & 15th January 2012, near Macclesfield. This is a two-day weekend course examining the adult bee diseases Acarine, Amoeba, and Nosema in detail. Mostly practical in nature, it will show you how to test your own bees for these diseases, and what action to take should a diagnosis be made...

The successful series of National Diploma in Beekeeping (NDB) Short Courses delivered earlier this year are to be offered again, with some new titles, during the coming months. These two-day, intensive courses concentrate on specific areas of the beekeeping syllabus and, working in small...