Events Calendar

The Vale and Downland Beekeepers’ Association Programme 2020

Indoor Meetings are held on a Friday evening at East Challow Village Hall, Main Street (A417), East Challow, Wantage OX12 9SR, COMMENCING AT 1930 HOURS  Parking facilities are available on the site adjacent to hall.

Saturday Beginners and Improvers apiary meetings – 3pm at Association apiary
Meetings are held on a Saturday afternoon and commence at 1500 hours, from April to the end of season, at the association’s Teaching apiary. Any member with beekeeping problems is quite welcome to attend.  Sunday afternoon meetings at hosted apiaries, addresses will be sent by email nearer the date.

Date/Time	Event	Location
JANUARY 17 Friday 1930	The invisible world of honey bees or How bees beat beavers at dam building Return visit and talk by Derek Mitchell	East Challow Village Hall Main Street (A417) East Challow OX12 9SR
JANUARY 25 Saturday 11:00 - 15:00	Practical Workshop for Beginners This workshop is being held to help guide our new beekeepers through the process of assembling their equipment ready for the new season. Experienced beekeepers would be welcome to help the beginners build their hives and frames. Contact Lilian for details.	The King Alfred Scout Hall
FEBRUARY 8 Saturday 10:00 - 16:00	Bucks County BKA Spring Seminar 2020 The 24th annual spring seminar hosted by Bucks County Beekeepers will take place at the Wendover Memorial Hall.	More Info and Bookings
FEBRUARY 21 Friday 1930	The Mind of The Honey Bee Talk by Marin Anastasov, Master Beekeeper and NDB	East Challow Village Hall
MARCH 14 Saturday 9:00 to 16:30	BEE TRADEX at National Agricutural Ground Stoneleigh. This is an opportunity to purchase your beekeeping equipment for the coming season.	www.beetradex.co.uk
MARCH 20 Friday 19:30	National Honey Monitoring Scheme Talk by Dr Anna Oliver, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology	East Challow Village Hall
APRIL 03-05	BBKA Spring Convention and Trade Show Lectures and Workshops are held on Friday to Saturday, Trade Show will be open on Saturday only. Timetables and booking can be found on: More Info and Bookings	Harper Adams University College, Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB. More Info and Bookings
APRIL 25 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 17 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 21 (time TBC)	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 19 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 30 & Monday 31 August	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 Lilian if you are able to help. Despite the weather, we had a very successful stand last year let us make it even better this year.	Uffington www.whitehorseshow.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 5 Saturday 15:00	Association Apiary We will be inspecting the bees at the site and preparing them for winter.	V&DBKA Apiary
OCTOBER 10 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 chat amongst yourselves.	Drayton Village Hall Lockway, Drayton Oxfordshire OX14 4LG
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. To be followed by a quiz (with prizes).	East Challow Village Hall Main Street (A417) East Challow OX12 9SR
OCTOBER 22-24	The National Honey Show - Sandown Park Racecourse This is a chance to see many types of honey and new experimental equipment - an event not to be missed!	Esher, Surrey, KT10 9AJ www.honeyshow.co.uk
NOVEMBER 20 Friday 1930	Swarm control without 9 day checks Talk by Ged Marshall.	East Challow Village Hall

Evening Summer Meetings for Beginners and Public

The Vale & Downland Beekeepers’ Association will once again hold 4 evening meetings during the season for beginners and public.  These meetings will be held on Wednesday 6th May, Wednesday 3rd June, Wednesday 1st July and Wednesday 5th August, all starting at 1900. If you know of anyone who would be interested in attending any of these meetings please contact Lilian Valentine 01235 767524. Venues for these meetings will be decided upon nearer the time.

Evening Classes for Beginners

As a follow on from the summer meetings we will be holding 6 evening classes with a mix of theory and practical beekeeping , plus one day practical equipment making..  You will also have an opportunity to study bees and disease under the microscope.

Refreshments for meetings
It would be appreciated if members could provide sandwiches or cakes, on a voluntary basis, for our summer meetings.  Please contact Lilian at lilian@valeanddownlandbees.org.uk .

Mentors for new beekeepers
Please contact Lilian and John Valentine 01235 767524 lilian@valeanddownlandbees.org.uk

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 John Valentine (01235 767524).  Arrangements will then be made for one of our experts to inspect them for you.  Travel costs by arrangement.