Bees for free - Yorkshire

[Rosti]

I am in the fortunate position of having to combine down to my target hive count this year. I have never bought a bee, my bees are all from local mongrels. My first colony was, caught by accident by assembling my new hive and going out for the morning, my bait hive success has continued year in, year out and the strategy has worked for me. My location seems to achieve a high hit rate for bait hives, I am also on the local swarm catch list.

I am willing to set a bait hive or develop a decent captured swarm and ensure a laying queen is established and check them over for disease before collection, I'll also OA treat them (once the Q is laying but before sealed brood). The offer is for a 1st year 'bee-less' novice only. There are some conditions.

You are a member of your local BKA (insurance cover at least)
You have kit ready and we will transfer to your kit on collection (I am not providing equipment beyond a frame swap)
You'll replace my frames/foundation (I prefer to work 14x12 6 frame nucs but can bait as Std Nat - we'll agree format up front)
You'll collect

Buyer beware - well you aren't buying but you know what I mean. I can make no special claims for the local bees, they tend to be fairly black, fairly good natured. I cant speak for their productivity - I am fortunate to have good forage, donkey's could make honey round here. There are a couple of known local feral colonies in the village that throw out a swarms most years, that is the most likely source, then again capturing swarms is also a fairly uncertain process. If I am uncomfortable with the way they are turning out we can discuss options.

So, there you have it! First come first served, offer is to one person only. Granted the timescale is uncertain and I may not get a catch this year? I am based in North Yorks, would make sense that you are broadly North East based as well.

 

[Hombre]

That's absolutely decent of you Rosti. I hope that you get a good respondent that appreciates the offer as being more than just something for nothing. More strength to you.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

What a generous offer!

Good for you for smashing the stereotype of the Yorkshireman!

Wish I were closer.

D

 

[Arfermo]

What Rosti is doing is preceisely what I benefited from when I started and what I am about to do for a couple of novices nearby. Only difference is I will deliver, including hive stands if necessary and limited monitoring after, if only to get replacement frames and my stuff back. Should be more of this done, especcially if swarms are collected for nothing. In fact my BKA are going to do something similar out of the BKA apiary.

 

[astabada]

Hi Rosti,

I've a friend who's keen on having it. She's taken member of the local BKA and though this is her second year, she hasn't any colonies yet.

let me know if the offer is still valid. I could pm you her personal and contact details (This message is on her behalf)

Best,
Franz

 

[meetballuk]

probably too fare from me but were abouts are you?

 

[sarlyka]

An excellent way to help new beekeepers get started. I hope whoever accepts the offer realises how lucky they are.

A Little too far for me

 

[justme]

Have pm'd you Sarlyka

 

[adrian wilford]

i know of a young fellow who has just done the basic course and is looking for black bees, he lives north of helmsley, how can he contact you?

 

[Rosti]

Offer has been taken up. Good luck with getting started. If circumstances change I will post an update. Regards R

 

[Rosti]

Seems that I've been messed about, offer now open again!

 

[Rosti]

Offer taken up, you both know who you are, supply order is 'HB' then 'MB', hopefully we'll catch twice, I'll be in touch!

 

[Excession]

What a decent chap! If only there was one of you in Hampshire!!

 

[oldbear]

Are your bees still available

Hi
I have lost my queen, and the colony is dwindling. Currently I only have one hive. I'm based in North Leeds, but am often in Harrogate and North Yorkshire. I'm feeling very sad about my bees at the moment, and would very much like to see my hive thriving again.

 

[SixFooter]

Hate to say this, but this devalues the effort put in by people who raise colonies for sale. It's exactly the same as giving honey away or selling it cheaply. Personally, I dont think you should do it even if you are lucky enough to be able to afford it.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Seems to me, Sixfooter, that there's plenty of need to be met, and that a bit of charity can be shown.

It's a nasty enough commercial world. Why not let people do acts of kindness once in a while?

And this one comes from the other side of the Pennines!

Dusty.

 

[SixFooter]

As I said, Dusty, because it devalues the efforts of people who offer them for sale.
Not against charity, in fact I'm signed up to a number of them. However, we are not talking about feeding the hungry.

Sorry, but this is annoying. Sell them and give the money to charity. Barter them away,swap them for a handful of beans, but dont give them away on first come, first served basis.

 

[The Cumbrian]

As I said, Dusty, because it devalues the efforts of people who offer them for sale.

So does the allotment gardener who gives away surplus produce devalue the efforts of the farmer?

Does the farmer who gives away produce to his friends and relations devalue his own work?

 

[tonybloke]

So does the allotment gardener who gives away surplus produce devalue the efforts of the farmer?

Does the farmer who gives away produce to his friends and relations devalue his own work?

yes!

 

[The Cumbrian]

yes!

Sorry but I wasn't brought up to have such a mercenary disposition, as far as I am concerned the "worker" is free to do what he/she wills with what he/she produces.

To me follow that to its logical conclusion and when you give to charity you devalue your efforts. (Most people receive money for work rather than honey veg etc. so giving it away for no return is to me the same thing as giving the bees/honey away).