Bee Happy this Christmas!

Wishing all members of The Wimbeldon Beekeepers' Association a very Happy Christmas and wonderful New Year.

Windy miller

With the gale of the last few days, I have been very slow checking that the roof of the hive has not blown off. The lid is still there, as the hive is in a sheltered position and the WBC hive roof is quite substantial.

No bees flying. It's about 10C today, and the first frosts of winter are leaving a tracery of ice on exposed surfaces.

Brrrr.

Wimbledon Beekeepers' Association Honey Show

All I ask is that you pay close attention to Peter Bashford's tie. True dedication to Beekeeping.
(Send me a comment [click the COMMENT link below] if you would like any of the original pictures, which are a great deal sharper than the video.)

Wimbledon Beekeepers' Association Honey Show

The Annual Honey Show tonight, judged by Peter Bashford (in the white coat) and assisted by Phil Barnes. Peter Bowbrick presided over the prizegiving, Charlotte Winterborn welcoming guests and competitors.

Owing to a slight misunderstanding - principally me not reading the instructions properly - I had not realised that despite having no honey this year, I could still have entered for a competition class. Number 17, "A Decorative, Artistic or Creative Exhibit relating to Bees or Beekeeping." Put another way, no real need to keep bees. Right up my street. Next year, perhaps...

The best exhibit was the mead (made by Vladimir Berka), particularly the Dry. Very nice. A bit like Madeira.

Suddenly, beekeeping has a purpose...