Whats falling down the gap between the NBU and the BBKA?

[user 6228]

Someone suggested we needed a Bee institute ....
What do you think the NBU and BBKA are not doing?

 

[blackcloud]

With the BBKA, I wonder what it  is doing.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Someone suggested we needed a Bee institute ....
What do you think the NBU and BBKA are not doing?

they are swiftly developing onto two cheeks of the same........................
BBKA are following in the tradition they established when it was formed - more of holding back progressive beekeeping rather than advancing it. Unfortunately it seems now they are having a pervading influence on the NBU - holding everyone in their thrall.

 

[rolande]

A bee institute might have merit but maybe a better, and possibly more useful project would be to reinstate the County Beekeeper post, perhaps set up on the same regional divisions as used by the bee inspectorate (for ease/uniformity) with funding for some kind of university tie in for each region.

But of course, no one will be spending that kind of money on honeybees in the UK.

 

[Somerford]

I remember the last CBI in Gloucestershire. Tony Boonham, who ran courses at Hartpury college. Rip.

 

[rolande]

I remember the last CBI in Gloucestershire. Tony Boonham, who ran courses at Hartpury college. Rip.

I have fond memories of Mr Boonham and that big old smoker of his

 

[blackcloud]

Tangent apologies but if you're in Gloucester anytime you can pick up your Maisemore order then a few hundred yards further up the road visit the Bee Shelter in Hartpury Churchyard.

 

[rolande]

Tangent apologies but if you're in Gloucester anytime you can pick up your Maisemore order then a few hundred yards further up the road visit the Bee Shelter in Hartpury Churchyard.

Tony Boonham sounded me out once about moving it from the college (if I remember right) to Blaisdon when they moved the bee unit - must have been about 97/98 I suppose. From what I've since gathered, I think it was just his own idea, not supported by the college.

 

[rolande]

But of course, no one will be spending that kind of money on honeybees in the UK.

This is a pretty negative comment that does my usually hopeful outlook no justice. Sure, it may be unlikely at present but with the new wave of popularity of all things 'bee' maybe the time is coming for something to be done.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

This is a pretty negative comment that does my usually hopeful outlook no justice. Sure, it may be unlikely at present but with the new wave of popularity of all things 'bee' maybe the time is coming for something to be done.

that 'popularity' peaked years ago we're now on the tail end of it. During our tenure in the European community, an allocation of cash was made available each year towards bee welfare/beekeeping. Welsh Government gave over its whole share to help fund the NBU, AFAIK Westminster's share just got 'absorbed'.

 

[rolande]

that 'popularity' peaked years ago we're now on the tail end of it. During our tenure in the European community, an allocation of cash was made available each year towards bee welfare/beekeeping. Welsh Government gave over its whole share to help fund the NBU, AFAIK Westminster's share just got 'absorbed'.

Which is often the issue with government but if we all take the attitude which I took yesterday then we can be certain that nothing will change.

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Leaving local associations to support new beekeepers is a very hit and miss approach. Only a couple of weeks ago I was talking to a woman who's on a beginners course in Dorset, she explained how one of the course helpers had injured herself last year by falling off a step ladder while removing a super. If that's the level of intelligence of the volunteers leading *some* association courses then we really do need a change.

 

[Swarm]

Which is often the issue with government but if we all take the attitude which I took yesterday then we can be certain that nothing will change.

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Leaving local associations to support new beekeepers is a very hit and miss approach. Only a couple of weeks ago I was talking to a woman who's on a beginners course in Dorset, she explained how one of the course helpers had injured herself last year by falling off a step ladder while removing a super. If that's the level of intelligence of the volunteers leading *some* association courses then we really do need a change.

Very hit and miss, some beginners find themselves getting their practical experience at training apiaries being run by beginners, it's the blind leading the blind.
In fairness, I think associations struggle to fill posts and are only too grateful for willing volunteers. Unfortunately, some of those volunteers have very little experience so many new beekeepers take very little away from their visits and fumble their way through their beekeeping.

 

[JamezF]

I'd not be entirely surprised if the majority of BBKA members don't really have much interest in it beyond the insurance. I wonder if they've actually been asked any time this century?

Personally I think it would benefit beekeepers if there were a much greater focus on quality education and promoting best practice for both beginners and "progressing" beekeepers. I agree that local BKAs largely seem left to their own devices when teaching beginners and whilst I'm sure many really do try to do a good job, received "lore" and occasionally plain ignorance do sometimes get passed on as unimpeachable fact. I'd hardly be surprised if sometimes there are vested interests at work trying to guide beginners down a specific path or otherwise serving their own ends, too.

I've only ever done the Basic practical qualification so I can't really comment on what those are like, but whilst I have no particular objection to the concept of the "Modules" I find the implementation chaotic. In my view the syllabus for each is poorly written and ill-defined. Yates may get a bad press, but ultimately I think the goal was a good one: there should be some sort of "course text". Granted it's more tricky given that there's active research going on at a level that affects even hobby beekeepers and which a good course should take into account, but it doesn't have to be printed on paper. I'd suggest that there's a fair bit of material in the modules that's of little benefit to most and easy to look up online if you desperately need it, too. Maybe it would be better to just chuck out the current content and redo the whole lot with a significant practical component to back up the theory, and use properly trained tutors even if that meant that people would have to pay to do the courses. If you complete a module and can't answer "Yes" to the question "Am I a more capable beekeeper as a result of this?", was there really any point doing it?

I'd ditch the BBKA News as a paper publication too. It's an outdated format that seems like a waste of money to me.

Perhaps there are people who feel that another organisation is required because they view the BBKA as being beyond the point of being able to change. I don't really have an opinion on that one.

James

 

[Garry R]

Experience can also mean stuck in your ways. Wisdom is recognising that whilst what you do works for you there are other aspects which should be considered.

 

[drex]

Rather than the modules ( I had enough of written exams at med school and post grad), I went down the more practical route of the basic exam, then general husbandry and currently working towards advanced husbandry. Yes, James, my beekeeping has benefitted as has my enjoyment. I do like to help newcomers along too, hopefully from the viewpoint of a good understanding myself. I am now a basic assessment examiner, and tell all candidates about this forum.
I agree that BBKA can be archaic

 

[rolande]

I think the point of this thread, based I assume, on something which @rdartington had written earlier in the day is that there's room, some might argue a need, for a professional level of beekeeping education. No need to disrupt the associations and their own in house training which would continue no doubt as they are.

 

[JamezF]

Rather than the modules ( I had enough of written exams at med school and post grad), I went down the more practical route of the basic exam, then general husbandry and currently working towards advanced husbandry. Yes, James, my beekeeping has benefitted as has my enjoyment.

I think that's excellent, and perhaps what more people should be guided towards in preference to doing the modules.

It does make me wonder what responses I might get from a few beekeepers I know of if they saw my apiary though. "Double brood? Oooh, no, you want to squash them down into a single box". "Horrible stuff that polystyrene. Never as good as wood. You should get rid of it". "What are those weird floors you've got? They're never going to work. And all the varroa will crawl back up onto the bees when they fall off". "Where's your crownboard and roof vents? The bees will get wet and die if you don't have enough ventilation up top!"

James

 

[user 6228]

you are getting last bit still from the BBKA?

 

[JamezF]

you are getting last bit still from the BBKA?

The bit about ventilation?

James

 

[user 6228]

The bit about ventilation?

James

you are still getting damp kills more than cold in and you need to to ventilate in winter in the NBU documents on their website.