Events Calendar

The Vale and Downland Beekeepers’ Association Programme 2020-2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Updated: 27 July 2020
Important!

Please note that there will be no general social activity at our Association apiary until further notice.  Some limited working groups will be organised with social distancing guidelines in place. In the meantime various activities will be taking place virtually – please see below

Date/Time	Event	Location
OCTOBER 16 Friday 1930	Annual General Meeting Your chance to vote in new Trustees & committee members. If you think you would like to serve as a Trustee or on the committee, or you have an item to be added to the agenda please contact Moraig Lowman, Association Secretary.	Online Details will be sent to members before the AGM.
OCTOBER 22-24	The National Honey Show - 3 day onlin show As a result of the Covid-19 restrictions currently in place, it will not be possible to hold a live National Honey Show this year at Sandown Park from 22nd to 24th October 2020. Instead, we will be holding a virtual show over the three days in October and the Honey Show Executive have worked exceptionally hard in putting together what we feel will be one of the best on-line Shows that you will have seen!	Entry to the Show is by registration only and is free to all. Registration is now open at The National Honey Show and it only takes about a minute to register. Further details of the lectures, workshops and other events and items of interest can be found on our website at www.honeyshow.co.uk.
JANUARY 22 2021 Friday 1930	Marin Anastasov NDB Topic to be confirmed	If Covid-19 restrictions are still in place this meeting will take place Online
FEBRUARY 19 2021 Friday 1930	National Honey Monitoring Scheme, CEH Talk by Dr Ben Woodcock	If Covid-19 restrictions are still in place this meeting will take place Online or at East Challow Village Hall
MARCH 19 2021 Friday 19:30	Dr Martin Bencsik Topic to be confirmed	If Covid-19 restrictions are still in place this meeting will take place Online or at East Challow Village Hall
APRIL 24 2021 Saturday 15:00	First apiary meeting at the Association’s apiary. This meeting will give us a chance to assess how the bees have come through the winter and to do any tidying of the apiary.	V&DBKA Apiary
MAY Every Saturday 15:00	Association apiary. Association apiary meeting for Beginners and Improvers.	V&DBKA Apiary
MAY 16 2021 Sunday 14:30	Apiary Meeting - Members. A sunday meeting - time and location TBC - please see Newsletter for updates	TBC
JUNE Every Saturday 15:00	Association apiary. Association apiary meeting for Beginners and Improvers.	V&DBKA Apiary
JUNE 20 2021 Sunday 14:30	Apiary Meeting - Members. A sunday meeting - time and location TBC - please see Newsletter for updates	TBC
JULY Every Saturday 15:00	Association apiary. Association apiary meeting for Beginners and Improvers.	V&DBKA Apiary
JULY 18 2021 Sunday 14:30	Apiary Meeting - Members. A Sunday Apiary Meeting at Simon and Judy Rogers’ apiary. Simon & Judy will be talking us through Queen Rearing by Grafting	Simon & Judy Rogers' apiary
AUGUST Every Saturday 15:00	Association apiary. Association apiary meeting for Beginners and Improvers.	V&DBKA Apiary
Sunday 29 & Monday 30 August 2021	Uffington White Horse Show The V&DBKA has a stand at this event and needs volunteers to help out on the stand to make it work. Please contact Moraig if you are able to help.	Uffington www.whitehorseshow.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 4 2021 Saturday 15:00	Association Apiary We will be inspecting the bees at the site and preparing them for winter.	V&DBKA Apiary
SEPTEMBER 18 2021	Association Apiary Equipment cleaning day at the apiary.	V&DBKA Apiary
OCTOBER 9 2021 Saturday 15:00 - 20:00	Fun Honey Show Further details to Follow As always there will be plenty of room to show your exhibits and catch up with your fellow beekeepers.	Drayton Village Hall Lockway, Drayton Oxfordshire OX14 4LG
OCTOBER 29 2021 Friday 1930	Annual General Meeting Your chance to vote in new Trustees & committee members. If you think you would like to serve as a Trustee or on the committee, or you have an item to be added to the agenda please contact Moraig Lowman, Association Secretary. To be followed by a talk by our BBKA Link Trustee or a Quiz (with prizes!).	East Challow Village Hall Main Street (A417) East Challow OX12 9SR
NOVEMBER 26 2021 Friday 1930	Swarm control without 9 day checks Talk by Ged Marshall.	East Challow Village Hall

Evening Summer Meetings for Beginners and Public 2021

The Vale & Downland Beekeepers’ Association plan to hold several evening meetings during the season for beginners and the public in 2021.  You’ll have the chance to put on a bee suit and explore the inner working of a beehive and learn what beekeeping is all about. These meetings will be held at our association apiary on specific dates and times to be advised. If you know of anyone who would be interested in attending any of these meetings please contact us via our contact page here.

Evening Classes for New Beekeepers – An Introduction to Beekeeping 2021

As a follow on from the summer meetings we plan to hold an all encompassing beekeeping course in late Autumn 2021 with a mix of theory and practical beekeeping spread over several sessions, plus a one day practical equipment making session.  A fantastic introduction into the world of beekeeping. For more information and to add your name to our waiting list please contact us via our contact page here.

Members Summer Proficiency Classes 2021

In addition to our public sessions and introduction to beekeeping courses, we offer ongoing hands-on training for members during the Spring and Summer at our Association apiary.  Proficiency classes are delivered by our members and details will be published in advance.

Mentors for new beekeepers

Please contact Michael Havard-Bilton (01235 523420) if you’d like to mentor a new beekeeper.

GENERAL INFORMATION

BROOD DISEASE
If you suspect any brood disease in your bees (EFB or AFB) please contact our Regional Bee Inspector, Southern Region – National Bee Unit:

Peter Davies peter.davies@apha.gov.uk
Mobile No: 07900 292160

BEE PROBLEMS
If you suspect anything wrong with your bees please contact Michael Havard-Bilton (01235 523420).  Arrangements will then be made for one of our experts to inspect them for you.  Travel costs by arrangement.