On Wednesday Linda gave us quite a different take on her normal Trees for Bees. This month she covered plants that were “BAD” for bees. Well done Linda for covering a different, yet just as important, angle. Thank you.

Last Wednesday, our club members gathered with their homemade honey for a fun tasting session. It was a great fun as we sampled and judged each other’s honey. Everyone put in a great effort, and Jo and Gillian were fantastic in sorting the information. It’s always a joy to share our passion for beekeeping and indulge in some delicious treats together!

Well done to Yulia for winning with HeatherMay coming in second and Barbara taking 3rd place.

For those who were not able to make Wednesday’s Club meeting, Linda has very kindly given her notes for our Blog. Thank you Linda for not only taking your time out to source these wonderful Star Performers but for doing all the research too. It is very much appreciated by our members.

Last Saturday we had a great turnout for our annual club BBQ. The day started with our usual hive checks and Kyle gave all four hive a wash which gave an excellent varroa mite reading. Two hives were quite good but two are in need of immediate treatment. This is a great way to get on top of any potential problems.

We followed on with a lovely BBQ. Thank you very much for all the lovely goodies everyone provided and a special thank you to Jo and Bruce who once again cooked up a storm with the sausages. Thank you guys!!

Gillian demonstrated how she collect pollen from her hives by bringing in some of her equipment and explaining how it all works. If you have been lucky to sample her pollen you will know how yummy it is as well as having many health benefits. Being good beekeepers that you are I am sure you are well aware not to take too much and leave more than enough for the little workers. They deserve it too!!!

Linda’s talk this month was on the California Lilac (ceanothus) and The Magnificent Tulip Tree. A specimen of escallonia red night was also brought in along with a platter of garden flowers.

Members had fun at Wednesday’s meeting when we covered “How to mark a Queen Bee”. No queens were harmed in the meeting as we used drones to practice on. I must say we did very well but I think the drones were a bit confused.

Gillian also brought some collected pollen and as you can see what beautiful colour pollen the bees are bringing in.

Thank you Linda for this months thrilling installment of the best plants available this month for our bees. At the Meeting on Wednesday Linda covered Rosemary and Citrus and her notes can be found below for those who were not able to attend.

Thank you Linda for this months presentation on our star performers. The pipfruit tress in the Rose family and the New Zealand Flax. A wonderful talk and for those who were not able to attend on Wednesday Linda has very kindly provided me with her notes to be posted here on our website.