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Kendal and South Westmorland Beekeepers’ Association

Meetings

Ron inspecting a frame of beesNew HivePeter's Apiary

If you require any further details or have any ideas for future meetings, please contact our events officer.



Summer Programme 2010

Unless otherwise stated, all apiary visits start at 2:30pm.

May 15th 2010
Today we are going to visit Ron and Judith at Barrows Green, GR 532882. The theme for this meeting will be about choosing an apiary site.
From the A65, take the narrow road opposite the Punch Bowl and go up the hill, passing the phone box. Continue past the cream cottage on the left, immediately you get to the brow of the hill, turn sharp right down a concrete road and look out for parking signs. As parking is limited, please share transport if you can. Drinks are provided.
May 29th - 30th 2010
Country Fest at the County Showfield, Crooklands. Incorporating the former Westmorland Food Lovers Festival, Country Fest gives a real taste of the countryside, celebrating the quality and diversity of the superb independent food and drink producers and suppliers that abound in Cumbria and the North West. For the first time, Kendal beekeepers have a display there complete with an observation hive. Please help to run our stand.
Jun 13th 2010
This is our second apiary visit of the year and it is with Wally and Des at their apiary at Sandside GR 472798. Take the Arnside road from Milnthorpe and continue on past the Ship Inn. After crossing the old railway bridge, in about ¼mile, take a very sharp left turn, continue up the hill for about 50yds and the site is on your left. Look out for the beekeeping signs. Please bring drinks as well as food.
Jun 19th 2010
Cumbria BKA is holding a Disease Day at Houghton Village Hall, Carlisle. The meeting starts at 9:00am and coveres AFB/EFB, varroa, nosema cerana plus other hive diseases and pathogens. Lecturers are:
  • Ian Molyneux
  • Stuart Beattie
  • Doug Jones
  • Sue Scott
  • John Newton
Teas and coffees provided. Bring your own packed lunch. For more information contact Peter Matthews tel. 01461 205525. Costs £5.00.
Jul 10th/11th 2010
The Lakeland Rose Show
There are 15 classes in the honey section and members are urged to support this event. Please contact Roger Blocksidge (tel: 01539 734436) if you would like to enter and require a show schedule. Last date for entries is July 2nd.
Jul 18th 2010
Pat is host for our apiary visit at Rook Howe in Kentmere, GR 459045. Pat will talk about the management of nuclei. Unfortunately, there is only room to park 2 or 3 cars that have good ground clearance. This is a good opportunity to go green and share travelling. Pat suggests that we meet in the Mill Yard car park in Staveley and then proceed to Rook Howe in the most suitable vehicles; taking approximately 12 minutes to get to Pat’s place. Drinks will be provided.
Jul 23rd 2010
As part of the Flora of the Fells Festival 2010, meet the bees at Brigsteer. Join Julia for a walk around the Brigsteer Bee Reserve starting from Helsington Church. Learn how to identify these incredible creatures and how to help with their conservation. Meeting starts at 14:00. Adults - £3.00; children under 12 - £1.50; children under 8 - free. Booking essential, tel 01539 733187 or book online at www.floraofthefells.com
Aug 13th/14th 2010
The Shrewsbury Flow Show. Roger is encouraging members to go to this show which has a large bee related section, including honey and wine.
Aug 14th 2010
Today we are invited to join the Lancaster Beekeepers to a BarBeeQ hosted by Alan & Margaret Tett at Field Maple, Burton Road, Holme. The meeting starts at 2.00pm with guest speaker Pam Hunter, Horsham & Crawley BKA. Attendance will cost £7.50 and includes the BBQ. If you want to attend please contact our events officer, Judith by 23rd July.
Aug 19th/22nd 2010
The Southport Flow Show. Roger says this is well worth a visit and includes a honey section.
Sep 11th 2010
Today we are off to Brigsteer, to visit Julia and Martin and their bees. Please park at Helsington church, where it is a short walk across a field. Wellies are a good idea here, just in case the grass is wet! If we assemble at the church about 14:15, an escort will take you down to the apiary. Julia will talk to us about preparations for winter. Drinks provided.


Winter Programme 2009/2010

Winter meetings (October to April) are held at the Abbot Hall Centre in Kendal and start at 7:30pm. There is ample free parking, after 6pm, in Peppercorn Lane car park which is just off Kirkland (map). If you exit the car park towards the park by crossing the footbridge over the Blind Beck, the Abbot Hall Centre is the building immediately on your left.
Oct 17th 2009
We are invited to the Lancaster & District Beekeepers Annual Honey Show at Hest Bank Village Memorial Hall, Hanging Green Lane, Hest Bank. There are many open classes to enter so have fun! There is a fee of 50 pence per entry and entry forms should be sent to the Show Secretary, Richard Wilson (01524) 858247, by the 15th September 2009.
Oct 17th & 18th 2009
We are invited to apple day at Beetham Nurseries. On Sunday the 18th, Kendal beekeepers are in attendance with an observation hive, information about our association and all things bees. This kind of event cannot be held without support from our members. Any member prepared to help on the day should contact Julia who will organise the rota.
Oct 20th 2009
This is our annual honey show when members bring along their hive products to be judged. Entries accepted from 19:00. Show schedule. During the judging, Julia is to give us a short talk on her chosen subject. Please enter as many classes as you can as the show is only as good as the number of entries.
Oct 29th - Oct 31st 2009
These dates are for the National Honey show, which is being held in Weybridge again. The venue is St George's College in Weybridge and is in a very good location for local services. If you have the opportunity to go, then I suggest you do; you won't be disappointed. Some of our members are entering and we wish them good fortune.
Nov 14th 2009
Cumbria BKA conference and honey show at Threlkeld Village Hall, Threlkeld. Entries accepted after 10:00am; show starts at 11:00am. A charge of £8.00 per person will be made to cover expenses. The charge will cover a buffet lunch which must be pre-booked by November 12th. Please contact Stephen Barnes on Tel: (01900) 824872. Limited free car parking available at the hall.
Nov 17th 2009
The subject for tonight is swarm control but with a difference! It will be an interactive meeting hosted by Peter Llewellyn.
Dec 15th 2009
Tonight is a social evening with honey and mead tasting and a quiz organised by Peter Llewellyn. This will be followed by a Jacobs join supper. There will be a major prize awarded to the winner of the quiz!
Jan 13th 2010
Committee meeting starting 19:30 at 20 Fowl Ing Lane.
Jan 19th 2010
This is our annual general meeting when proposals for any changes to our organisation are decided. It is your chance as members to have your say. Please try and attend. After the meeting there will be a Jacobs join supper.
Feb 16th 2010
This is a DIY night. It will be a general keekeeping discussion evening so please come along and join in.
Mar 16th 2010
This evening's lecture is provided by our regional bee inspector, Ian Molyneux. He will talk about "Healthy Bees" and include an update on Foul Brood. He will also bring leaflets on bee diseases if anybody wants them.
Apr 13th 2010
Tonight we are in the company of Peter Schollick, a beekeeper from Richmond, North Yorks. He will be talking about his beekeeping experiences and will include "things you can't plan for".
Also in attendance will be Richard Kenyon with his entire sales department, tempting you with all the beekeeping items that you thought you didn't need!!! Should you need any equipment, if you give him a call beforehand, he will bring it along for you on the night.
Apr 17th 2010
Damson Day in the Lyth Valley, GR 459886. This has now become a regular event in our calendar and it is a good opportunity to publicise our existence. Kendal beekeepers have a display there complete with an observation hive which always creates a lot of interest. Unfortunately, it always coincides with the spring convention at Soneleigh but if you are not going to the convention, please come along and lend your support and help to run the stand for K&SWBKA.