Top bee space or bottom bee space?

[ericbeaumont]

people put matches inbetween broad boxes to help ventilate to avoid condensation but I would have thought in cold weather the colony wouldn’t like the draught and the possibility of water getting in?

You're flogging a horse so dead that is no more than skeletal dust, Mr HB. The matchstick habit was handed down during the period when solid floors were usual (since the beginning of time, then) when it was believed that hive condensation in winter was bad news (on the bees, yes, but in the hive, no) but that changed when varroa entered the UK in the early 90s and the OMF (open mesh floor) became the default item.

It was stated that an OMF removed a small % of varroa due to grooming by bees and so contributed to a strategy of integrated pest management (IPM). The suggestion may or may not be true (I have not come across any research on the matter) but it did enable equipment suppliers to diversify their products and improve revenue.

in cold weather the colony wouldn’t like the draught and the possibility of water getting in

An OMF and matchsticks is a chimney combination guaranteed to make the colony work during winter to maintain nest heat, consume more stores, produce more condensation and lead to a greater need for cleansing flight. Consequent colony stress may lead to its winter death; some say that such a method selects for hardy bees.

was advised

helping a gentleman throw away his broad frames

Be wary of kind advice that is outdated and misleading. The most useful piece of beekeeping kit is in your head, the ability to sift and assess information and choose your own path.

PS: the frames are brood, known also as DN, or deep National. Super frames are known as SN, or shallow National. You may use either size for brood or honey, or both, though the catalogues may rule otherwise.

 

[ericbeaumont]

bees make propolis for a reason, they do not like gaps

True, and they often propolise (partially) the OMFs I have.

 

[ericbeaumont]

insulation can be problematic with plain nationals. One way out might be to invest in WBC lifts

Yes, but perhaps the better investment would be in a box more fit for thermal purpose than a plain wood National.
A flat lift can be had for £24, your brood box may have cost the same or more, but an Abelo poly box is £40. Bonuses: less sweat from working a lighter box and fewer parts to store, clean and carry about.

 

[Erichalfbee]

The matchstick habit was handed down during the period when solid floors were usual

And as RAB always pointed out lift the brood off the floor if you must.

 

[rolande]

The matchstick habit was handed down during the period when solid floors were usual (since the beginning of time, then)

According to Simmins in 'a modern bee farm' it was started by Cowan on hives which were kept in a loft, then, appropriated for outdoor use by people who didn't quite understand the difference.