Gordon Nairn – Hivemaster
Jeff Robinson – Education/training
This course is to give you a practical experience to raise your own Queens. It is 2 days of information and hands on experience with results that you have done.
You will need to bring pen and paper to make notes if you want to. Insect repellent.
26/27 February 8.00-4.30 both days….wet or fine.
$150.00 club membership or nonmembers $ 190.00.
BOOKINGS are essential phone Gordon 027 538 9568
We had a great get together with 27 attendees yesterday. It was easy to pack those jars and lids together after having a chat, a hot sausage and some of Irene’s delicious chocolate cake. Thanks team for all your work. We even got to check out the storage space up in the whare. I’m sure we’re all looking forward to the next fine Field Day, now we have a number of hives on site and honey spinning to be done.
As promised I have waited till this afternoon to post the notice for tomorrow’s Field Day..
You will be well aware that the forecast is for rain starting at 7am approx. at 60% chance of precipitation working up to 80% by 12P.M
Gordon our hive master has offered the following to members:
“12th February is our Field Day and again the rain 
️️️
is forecast.
But still work has to be done.
We have jars to be bagged up @ 50 per bag and they are 250ml for sale at the Club…$30.00 per bag.
We can talk about treatments for the hives how to use them.
No doubt some questions to ask.
Good news is 5th March next club Day hopefully a fine day.
Thanks Gordon,
Hive master for the Club.”
The grounds are quite soft so wear good boots. There are a lot of midges because of the wet conditions,
They can cause quite an itch so wear long pants and bring some dimp…..just in case! You will still need to show your pass as usual and wear a face covering
even if you are working in the container with people.
Beeline will not be attending but ring Brian on 0272456427 to place an order.
Also, subs are due and Kerry will be accepting them as time is nearly up!
WOULD COMMITTEE MEMBERS please txt/email me that you will or won’t be attending. Unfortunately I cannot attend but our V.P Jo Winter will be.
Regards All
Paul O’Donnell
President.
The next Field Day is Sat 4th Dec – it’s our Xmas Party.
We are required to enforce the new government regulations.
No person will be allowed in the apiary, i.e. the club grounds, unless your Covid Passport is presented and checked.
There will be no exceptions!
For those not wanting to involve with item No1, please present at 8-30 to do a wee bit of gardening: weeding that sort of thing.
See Irene Siemonek or phone her 027 3577450 for instructions on what needs to be done. Then at 10.30 go on to general club business.
Programme for field day:
830hrs Gardening etc.
900hrs those newbees or older members wishing to advance knowledge. Training on basics, eg frames/woodenware/varroa treatments.
1030 hrs arrival of everyone else, names in register, scanning, and checking vaccine passes, general discussion.
1100 hrs tea break
1130hrs field day education meeting:
1200 hrs lunch sausage sizzle.
1300hrs open hives and instructions on practical applications of beekeeping.
1400hrs General discussion where members can raise questions, requests etc. Conclusion.
Remember Parents: NO children under the age of five must go past the yellow and black stakes during opening of the hives.
An exception for under-fives, except one and two year olds, if they are fully kitted out in bee suits only.
There will be workshops as we did in November and please bring a little something for lunch, BBQ provided, which caters for both non-gluten-free and gluten free diets.
If there is something specific you would like covered please let us know in good time by contacting a committee member.
Will meet Irene at 10.30am Wednesday 17th November 2021 at the Club Site. Weather permitting.
This opportunity relies on having a confirmed group of between 5-10 women who have confirmed with Irene and Dave on 0277822416 and would like to come along.
This Saturday is our Field Day the weather should be fine and therefore no cancellation notices needed.
Club Field Day this Sat. 06.11.21 start time 10.30am
This Saturday’s programme covers:
Unfortunately Beeline cannot attend the Saturday. They are seriously down on product and in fact can bring little up from Dunedin. It is a shame but the building industry as a whole are starting face serious shortages of materials, notably framing for houses.
It jars one to see the huge swath of logs still going out of Lyttleton whilst our local industry suffers.
A full program is being published so I look forward to seeing you all at around 10:30.am onwards.
Would those people wishing to have a seat on the committee come forward and meet with me as I would like to have a quick discussion with you. Also persons with other queries or ideas also meet with me.
We’ve hired a wood chipper to chip the branches that have been cut down at the Club grounds. It would be awesome to have a couple of crews to share the work chipping this Saturday.
Early start, and all welcome
Please help us get ready for the Club Day on Saturday 2nd October.
Contact Gordon for more details.
Thanks for the effort that all turned up to make ready for the Club Day on 2nd October. We hope that all will be good for a fantastic first Club Day this season.
AGM will start at 10.30am.then into the club programme, BBQ lunch …..
Open hives and lots of questions about what you should have done.
More information next week.
Thanks Gordon.
The good news is here so please call me if you are having any trouble with your bees. It is essential that you can look after them. By now blossom is arriving all around us so when the sunshine gets out they will be happy bees.
The most important part is to get into your hives, clean up the frames, discard dirty frames with new ones. Look for Queen cells. The warm weather snaps we have been getting will make Swarms starting now.
Next make decision of whether you are going to put treatment in for Varroa. It needs to be done and removed before the HONEY flow.
I advise that Club Day on Saturday 4th.September is canceled….again….but as soon as possible we can have Club Day we will. Thanks Gordon Club Hivemaster. Ph 0275389568.
The committee wishes to send you and your families all the very best for Spring and wish you a great start to the new season.
It’s not easy in Lockdown to get help with beekeeping things but please – use the forum to ask questions or email the committee if you have any worries about your bees.
