Bees & Refugees

The project was the idea of 35 year-old Shepherd's Bush resident Ali Alzein, who fled his home and life in Damascus, Syria. He arrived in the UK in 2012 but found it hard to adjust. https://www.spacehive.com/local-honey

https://www.shepherdsbushw12.com/

East Surrey Bees

Two very nice-looking nucs added to the stash today, from East Surrey Bees
http://www.eastsurreybees.co.uk/

Swarm, or cast?

Too high to reach, unfortunately, and no access from the roof

Tang It!

Called out to collect a swarm today, the bees pushed off moments before I arrived. Maybe tanging would have helped. My preferred method is cussing.

https://digital.nls.uk/moir/tanging.html

Five bee colonies die after hives trashed and honey stolen in Flintshire

More bee-rustling: http://www.deeside.com/police-appeal-for-information-after-beehives-trashed-and-honey-stolen-in-flintshire/

'Tis the season to be wary...

Bees contribute more to British economy than Royal Family

You read it here last (story from 2015!):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/wildlife/11679210/Bees-contribute-more-to-British-economy-than-Royal-Family.html

Honey for Hospitals!

Friday 17 April 2020 Dr Alasdair Driver is acting Chair of East Devon Beekeepers Association ( EDBKA ). He says just before the lockdown for corona virus he needed hospital treatment. "Just before the world entered into global disarray, I had to undergo some minor treatment at the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital, where I received the most amazingly excellent care. So, it occurred to me that with the added pressures and stress the staff there are now under, a small gesture from a grateful member of the beekeeping world may be of use." This then blossomed into a bigger idea of the branch to offer a larger amount of honey for the staff to enjoy. "So, with the backing of the EDBKA committee to raid the apiary supplies, I asked the hospital if a donation of honey for the staff would be useful .....back came a resounding YES!"  Dr Driver and his wife ordered special labels and spent Easter Monday morning jarring up and labelling over 130 jars of honey for the staff.  ...

from British Beekeepers Association https://ift.tt/34GRkpl
via gqrds

Swarmshaker

Neat way to grab a swarm... https://twitter.com/i/status/1249581328963682309

Lockdown cripples migratory beekeepers

Beekeepers in India have found themselves banned from travel during the coronavirus lockdown:

https://kashmirreader.com/2020/04/14/lockdown-cripples-migratory-beekeepers/

Average winter losses

Our beekeeping association reports average winter colony losses of 33%.

Beehives destroyed in suspected arson attack

Infuriating news: https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2020-04-08/police-appeal-after-pensioners-beehives-destroyed-in-suspected-arson-attack/

Stanton Fitzwarren by Highworth, near Swindon