Changes for 2012

It is now just a month away from the start of the 2012  Yatton Area Bee Project (YABeeP) monthly meetings.

Pete enjoying his bees

Last year we agreed to make changes to way we run YABeeP. I am now in a position to publish these changes and would ask that members read the following. I'll quickly run through these at our first meeting but as we meet to 'talk bees' I want to keep this 'business' element very brief - the chapter and verse is below:

1. Covering our costs
YABeeP's success can, in part, be attributed to the informal nature of the group – it runs without a committee, formal constitution, the need for 'business meetings' and we don't even need to charge a membership fee - all of which means we can just concentrate on talking about bees bees. We wish to continue in this spirit.

Last year we had to start charging a £1 door fee when larger numbers meant we needed to meet in the Library to help cover the costs of room hire, it's required insurance and supplied tea/coffees. Unfortunately on occasions this entry contribution did not always cover the charge and left me out of pocket.

For 2012 therefore, when members renew their membership, they will be invited to make a voluntary donation to club funds of £5 per person. This will not be a requirement - members can opt out of this contribution if they cannot afford it or disagree. The fee will be used to help fund room hire plus pay for refreshments both at these meetings and the informal networks held afterwards in members gardens.

Gentle swarm
nothing to be frightened of

This annual donation will be in addition to the £1 door fee which we shall continue to charge at venues we have to hire.

As we don't have a formal Treasurer Ali Twigg has kindly offered to voluntarily act as in this capacity. In order to impose a degree of transparency we will ask that all contributions be  paid to me. I will log them and then pass the funds on to Ali. This way 2 people are independently aware of the funds received to increase accountability. Ali will maintain a simple account of income -v- outgoings which she will report back on at the end of the year when we can review the success of this method and agree donation levels for the following year.

2. Mentor support for members
We will also start a voluntary mentor support programme to help new and inexperienced members. This will assign someone with more experience to those seeking support on a one-to-one, or small group basis. These mentors will act as a first point of contact for queries, questions and general support. We will attempt to match people based on hive type and locality. Again Ali has kindly volunteered to 'match' those wishing to take advantage of this.

Emma, walking her swarm in

In order to take this forward we need to identify who wants to take part; both those seeking support and those prepared to act as mentors A section has been added to the 2012 Membership Form to facilitate this.

Mentors will not be 'experts'. Rather they are volunteers with some, albeit limited, experience of natural beekeeping offering a first line of support to those starting on their beekeeping journey. Our more experienced members will still be available for advice, views and opinions, but it is hoped that the mentor scheme will prevent our experts from being constantly troubled with more basic questions. Acting as a mentor is a great way of expanding your own beekeeping knowledge as helping others understand this craft is the best way to learn.

3. 2012 hive building day
We wish to continue with this event as it always proves valuable and enjoyable to new and experienced members alike. However, given the increasing numbers taking part each year it requires a huge amount of behind the scenes planning, scheduling work, sourcing materials, organising equipment, etc.

The boys - hive building day prep'

We are therefore seeking to change the format for 2012. Rather than attempt to both cut and assemble hives on the workshop day, we are hoping to supply pre-cut hive kits which participants will assemble on the day under  YABeeP guidance. This should be far more achievable in the 5 hours or so available at the workshop. 

Of course getting the hives pre-cut ready to assemble will involve additional cost. That said I am estimating that this should add no more than £20 to the cost of each hive. Whilst this increase is regretted we feel it is the only way to practically continue running the workshops. Using last year's costs as a guide it should mean members getting a 3 box Warré hive for around £50 to £60 - in my view a real bargain.

4. Other volunteer roles to be filled

and it's not just honeybees - a member
offers a pitstop to a Red Tailed bumble

There are still some roles that it would be great to have volunteers fill but won't stop YABeeP functioning if unfilled. If you feel that you can help with any of these please let me know:

• Meetings door fee coordinator – arranging for someone to greet arrivals and collect the door fee to pass to Ali at booked venues
• Publicity person – to send emails to the local free paper/mag &, get posters up in the Parish notice boards 2 weeks before each meeting
• Special projects coordinator - coordinating anyone keen to run one-off projects, eg school nest building, etc.
• Social organiser – arranging/coordinating BBQ, Christmas lunch, outings to other bee events/groups? etc.

5. YABeeP - a change of name?
When I started YABeeP in 2009 I had no concept of who would want to join. As it has transpired we now have regular members from as far away as South Wales, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Devon. Our core membership covers the whole of North Somerset, and Somerset county and Bristol. The question therefore arose should we change our name?

Following discussions this winter we have decided that our name, particularly our acronym  YABeeP, is well established and we should therefore not change it.

6. Natural beekeeping, our raison d'être 
As all members will already be very aware, we are firmly a “natural beekeeping” group and wish to remain so.

This winter our aim has been refined to emphasise this and now reads "to provide peer support to individuals and families who want to encourage both wild and honey bees and maybe keep bees themselves. We advocate using bee-friendly natural beekeeping methods. Where our members keep honeybees they do so primarily for the benefit of the bees themselves, not in order to exploit them for forced honey production or personal profit".

Roy feels a swarm's  temperature

We shall continue to accept into membership all beekeepers seeking to move to a more natural way of keeping bees whatever their background or beekeeping experience.  It's the desire to put the needs of the bees first that really marks our difference.

Incidentally, several of us have struggled over which is the correct label to apply to our beekeeping beliefs. Terms such as natural, sustainable, free range, alternative, top bar, holistic, complimentary, apicentric, etc. are often used and all have their place. People like me have been wary of the 'natural' label as it gives ammunition to those against our bee-friendly cause to argue that even many natural beekeeping styles are quite unnatural.

We have to accept however that 'natural' is far and away the most widely accepted term and generally conveys what we stand for to the general public. We have agreed therefore that this is the most appropriate label and would encourage members to feel free to use it to describe our bee-friendly beekeeping style. If anyone challenges your use of the natural label refer them to this.

Robin Morris
February 2012

Natural beekeeping at its best!
One of Lou & Simon's hives in their beautiful garden

Gareth John Workshops

I have been contacted by YABeeP's very good friend and long time member Gareth John detailing 2 natural beekeeping workshops he is running. Many of you may also know Gareth from his role as site administrator and lead moderator on the Natural Beekeeping Network - http://www.biobees.com/forum/.

If you want to attend any of these days, detailed below, then you need act quickly as he tells me they are booking up fast.

Bespoke Workshops for YABeeP
I am also very pleased to say that Gareth has again agreed to run some workshops in Yatton specifically for YABeeP members. For us Gareth has agreed to tailor workshops to meet our needs. He's even agreed to run these at £30 per person for a day's training¹, bring your own food.

Gareth John

Gareth has particular expertise in managing horizontal/Kenyan hives. Last year he ran a brilliant workshop for us on recovering from cross-combing and making a split. If you would like to attend something similar this year or help tailor something specific to your own needs then please contact Gareth direct (grjohn at btinternet com) as he will arrange the YABeeP  days based on your feedback and with coordinate with me.

Make it clear that you are interested in a Yatton YABeeP training day also let him know your hive type and experience.

Robin Morris

¹ Bees For Development also run similar courses in the Forest of Dean but at £87 per day.

Gareth's message:-

Gareth shows members
what to look for

Dear Beekeeper

Below is notification of the first in what I hope will become a series of natural beekeeping weekends in Kencot, West Oxfordshire - map. The aim of these weekends is to foster a general understanding of the principles of what has become known as natural beekeeping. The weekends will be in a workshop style, with plenty of opportunity for interaction and questions.

The Saturday is for those who are starting their journey as natural beekeepers (or are perhaps considering such a journey) and who wish to learn about the concepts that underpin keeping bees as a natural beekeeper

The Sunday is for those who wish to delve more deeply into the subject. You are welcome to attend either or both days. If you have a friend or acquaintance who might be interested, please feel free to forward this email.

If you are interested in attending either or both days, please reply accordingly, saying which day you would like to attend and noting any special dietary or other requirements. Further details of the subject matter for each day, how to pay and and how to get here will be sent once I have an idea of likely numbers.

I look forward to hearing from you:


Saturday 31 March 2012, 10:30 – 4.00
An introduction to honey bees, their place in the local ecosystem and natural beekeeping, including

• The annual cycle of a honey bee colony
• Working with the bees - the basics of natural beekeeping
• Horizontal and Warre top bar hives

Sunday 1 April 2012, 10:30 – 4.00
In depth topics for natural beekeepers, including

• Colony development in the spring and early summer
• Swarming and splits
• The impact of Varroa



Gareth training at YABeeP, May 2011

• Varroa tolerant bees

Both days will be in a small group format (around 8 attendees each day). Each topic will be covered in a talk, followed by questions and discussion. If you have a topic that you would particularly like to be included, please let me know.

Cost: £40 including a good lunch, teas, coffees and cake. Special diets (vegetarian, gluten free etc) can easily be catered for, but please let me know when booking as we cannot cover options that we don't know about!

Hive Opening

As the weather is unlikely to be warm enough for a hive opening, both  days will be indoor-based.  For those who would like a practical demonstration, a half-day hive opening can be scheduled for the weekend of 5th and 6th May.  There will be a nominal additional cost of £5 for this. Tea, coffee and cake will be supplied. Please let me know if you would like to attend such a day.


My Credentials
I have a degree in Agricultural Science and have kept bees on and off over a 40 year period, the last 5 years of which have been in top bar hives.

Gareth John
Natural Beekeeping Weekend Workshops
Kencot
West Oxfordshire

Presentations and Workshops

YABeeP is often called on to give presentations and workshops to community groups, local organisations or businesses on bees generally and bee-friendly natural beekeeping¹ specifically.

This page outlines some of our 'standard' packages which can be delivered to external groups. Bespoke talks, demonstrations and workshops can also be tailored to a groups particular needs.

Off the shelf presentations/workshops:


YB1: Beefriending Our Bees

Target audience	Generalist - anyone who wants to learn more about bees in general and learn some practical ways they can attract bees into their own gardens/spaces.
Duration	45 minutes to 1 hour
Delivery mode	Illustrated slide presentation, question time and demonstration of bee equipment, their nests,  boxes and hives
Learning Aim	To introduce the 3 main categories of bee found in the UK and outline their life cycle and habitat
Learning objectives	At the end of the talk members will understand the 3 main types of bee found in the UK (plus bee mimics and related insects), have a general knowledge of their distinct life cycles and habitat. Additionally members will be introduced to ways to make bee homes for the various category of bee
Primary presenter	Robin Morris - founder of YABeeP - Link to biography

YB2: So you want to keep honeybees? 
The bee-friendly 'Swingometer'

Target audience	Those interested in starting bee keeping (honeybees) and wishing to make an informed choice of the management regime and hive types most suited to their aspirations
Duration	45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Delivery mode	Illustrated slide presentation and workshop with open forum participation. Includes a demonstration of various hives
Learning Aim	To assist those planning to take up bee keeping make an informed decision about the hive types and management methodology most suitable to them
Learning objectives	The session looks at the various motivations that drive people to keep bees and the impact of the various husbandry systems currently available. It outlines the basic bee life-cycle, their biology, needs and wants as a wild creature.  Using the illustration of a swingometer it describes a continuum between the behaviour of wild/feral honey bees left to manage their own affairs at one extreme and the intensive husbandry practices of a highly 'managed' production colony at the other extreme. Alternative husbandry systems, hives and bee boxes are then discussed and overlaid onto this continuum. Participants are open to arrive at their own conclusions as to which hive and husbandry systems are most suited to their own personal bee keeping aspirations. This session is particularly suited for those whose interest is keeping bees through a desire to help bees and the environment rather than profit from their honey production.
Primary presenter	Robin Morris - founder of YABeeP - Link to biography

Requirements:

• In order to host a talk you will need to be able to provide a warm and dry venue preferably with a 240v electricity supply. 
• YABeeP do not own our own PC Projector so you will either need to supply one with connector to a 'Windows'© p.c. or fund the rental charge. Exceptionally talks can be given without projection by prior agreement but the use of photographs and images gives a significant advantage.
• On-site parking for one vehicle is required as various hives and ancillary equipment need to be transported.
• We also ask that you consider the needs of those with reduced mobility and wheelchair users in your choice of venue.

Costs: 

A  modest charge is made for talks dependant on duration and subject. 

A per mile fuel charge² is also made for the return journey from Yatton, North Somerset to your venue.

All charges are fully receipted.

Further Information:
For further information please contact Robin Morris on YABeeP@gmail.com or telephone 01934 876275.

Robin Morris



¹ YABeeP believes that bees should be kept using natural beekeeping practices. Click here for an explanation of what this means
² currently 40p per mile

2012 Meeting Dates

YABeeP aims to provide peer support to individuals and families who want to encourage both wild and honey bees and maybe keep bees themselves. We advocate using bee-friendly natural bee-keeping methods. Where our members keep honeybees they do so primarily for the benefit of the bees themselves, not in order to exploit them for forced honey production or personal profit¹.

For 2012 we will continue to hold our informal meetings at 10:30am on the second Saturday of each month during the bee season - March to October. Meetings last about 2 hours and, weather permitting, usually include a chance to see bees in action:-

2012 Dates:

• March 10th - Meeting - Download note of meeting here - LINK
• April 14th - Meeting 10:30 - Please note,this meeting is specifically for those new to natural beekeeping or wanting to start keeping honeybees. We will talk about the life cycle of the bee and what they need for healthy survival then overlay on this the various beekeeping methodologies. This will help you make an informed choice of the management regime and hive types most suited to your aspirations.
• April 28th - Warré hive building workshop (all day). Members who have booked a space will be able to build a hive. However, the day is open to all members who want to drop in and join the fun or see the build so they can do their own.  
• May 12th - Meeting - This month's topic is "Getting your bees" - followed by solitary bee box workshop
• June 9th - Meeting followed by Barbecue picnic lunch.  - This month's topic is "Protection & equipment"
• July 14th - Meeting 
• August 11th - Meeting NB - the August meeting has been cancelled as it clashes with the Natural Beekeeping Conference and many members will be away. See you in September.
• September 8th - Meeting
• October 13th - Meeting

If you wish to join one of these meetings we'd love to see you - please email YABeeP@googlemail.com or tel: 01934 876275 to let us know who you are, how many will attend and to get directions to the meeting. We hope to hear from you.

Why do we meet?

Meetings allow us to:

• welcome new members to learn about our aims and principles and decide whether they wish join us;
• provide an environment to network with each other to expand our knowledge, ask questions and share new ideas and thoughts on helping bees;
• provide an opportunity to get hands on with bees (dependant on weather of course) and see into a working hive/bee box;
• meet socially and enjoy the occasional BBQ, picnic, etc., after all life’s not all about bees.

Where do we meet?

Meetings take place in the Yatton area as this is central to our North Somerset patch, either in a local home or a local venue. The venue details and a map are emailed to members the week before each meeting.

... or in the Library

We meet outside......

Meeting format

YABeeP believes in holding informal meetings; we don't instruct our members or provide formal training courses but use a 'learning through doing with support' philosophy. Meetings are used to provide peer support and help for those new to bees as well as share experiences and learning amongst those who already keep them. We also often have short themed talks at our meetings, mostly given by our own members (volunteers always needed!) but occasionally bringing in a local(ish) expert. Weather permitting, we also use meetings to let members get up close and personal with bees and experience the workings of the various bee homes we use.

Workshops

In addition to our monthly meetings we also arrange practical workshops as demand dictates. These tend to be half or all day affairs which allow members to build their own hives for honey bees or homes for bumbles and solitary bees. As well as being highly productive – you should expect to complete your project within the day - the workshops held to date have all been great social events! These workshops will be listed in the Dates section above in green when arranged.

A full day's Hive Building Workshop.......
(click to enlarge)

......or a 2 hour Solitary Bee home gathering.

Training Days
Where demand dictates we also arrange small group training days using guest trainers with expertise in their field, a small charge is made for these to pay for the speakers. For 2012 our good friend Gareth John has again agreed to provide workshops on Kenyan hive manipulations. These will be published to members as and when arranged.

Gareth John's 'How to Split a Horizontal Hive' training day 2010

Robin Morris


¹For a fuller explanation of what we mean by bee-freindly 'natural beekeeping' see this page.

The Future

It's all gone quiet

Several non-members have commented that there have recently been few posts on this website/blog and were wondering whether YABeeP had wound up. I'd like to make it clear that this is certainly not the case.

Given its success and steady growth the amount of work it was taking to run the YABeeP group was getting too much for one person (me!) so something had to give. I did some thinking and reconfirmed that my priorities had not changed  - to establish and help run a local bee-friendly peer support group. Our website/blog was being used mostly by non-members from across the globe so should no longer be my priority - hence few posts.

The Future
We are going to look at the future of YABeeP and how we should go forward from here, hopefully at our next meeting in September. I am optimistic that one or two volunteers will come forward to help share the load running whatever vision for our future that we decide upon.

Maybe part of this will be an update and re-write of the website; some of the earlier stuff certainly needs redrafting.

My own view is that this site should be a description of who we are and what we stand for, it should give information on when we meet, how to join us, our local swarm catching service, plus also some basic information on bees.

I have always felt that the "how to..." part of keeping bees using the bee-friendly methodology we employ should be for others better qualified than us to advise on in books and websites. That said, I find that there are still no comprehensive books or websites aimed specifically at new bee-friendly beekeepers, it's still a case of gleaning some information from here and some from there - very confusing for someone new to this world.

Consequently we may also have to continue plugging that gap ourselves for our members by providing signposting/guidance drawing on this piecemeal advice and our own experiences along the lines of some of our existing pages such as our Making a Horizontal Top Bar Hive series of pages.

If we do this then, of course, it would make sense to publish it on our site so a wider audience can take advantage of it should they want to. It's even been suggested that we should make such advice available as pdf downloads so that it can be easily printed and used away from a pc.

All of this involves quite a lot of work, much of which I guess will be done over the winter when our bees are less of a distraction, so don't expect huge change soon. Rest assured however YABeeP is alive and well, if you want proof come to our next meeting!

Robin Morris – YABeeP - 15^th August 2011