Events for your Diary
Throughout the year, Preston and District Beekeepers Association run a programme of lectures, demonstrations and social events. You are most welcome to come along and meet us.
Our meetings aim to cater for all standards of beekeeper from beginner to advanced.
Some of the practical demonstrations are held at the Joe Birkby teaching apiary, where you may be given the opportunity to handle bees.
We also attend local shows, providing information about beekeeping and demonstrating the variety of products that can be made using the contents of a hive.
We often take an observation hive so that you can watch the queen laying eggs and see all her workers up close, safely behind glass.
For more information, see the list below or contact us using the form on the Contacts page.
January:
Thursday 20th January. 7.30pm
Simple Queen Rearing Part 1
Speaker Paul Roberts, Master Beekeeper, Ormskirk & Croston BKA.
By raising our own queens not only can a beekeeper save money, but it is thought that home bred queens perform better in their own region and climate. In addition, since Brexit, the BBKA has actively discouraged the importation of bees given the risk of possible disease transmission. This means that it is all the more important for us to “grow” our own.
In this two-part talk Paul will take us through the steps to be able to select and raise our own queens.
Via Zoom
February:
Thursday 17th February. 7.30pm
Simple Queen Rearing Part 2
Speaker: Paul Roberts, Master Beekeeper, Ormskirk & Croston BKA
The second part of Paul’s talk on how to raise our own queens.
Via Zoom
March:
Thursday 17th March. 7.30pm
Swarm Control
Speaker: Janey Murray, East Lancashire Beekeepers
As responsible beekeepers it is important to take care to avoid letting bees swarm. A swarm can represent a loss of bees resulting in less or no honey production, and a reduced ability to over-winter colonies due to a smaller colony size. In this talk Janet will highlight things we may have forgotten or never even knew about swarm prevention including what the bees are up to before they decide to swarm.
This talk is suitable for all, particularly new beekeepers.
Via Zoom
April:
Thursday 21st April. 7.30pm
Alternative Approaches to Beekeeping
Speaker: Dr Fred Ayres, Lune Valley Beekeepers
Fred started beekeeping over 20 years ago and as his knowledge and interest grew so did the number of his colonies and also the time involved in managing them. He began to explore if there was a different way of managing his bees and in this talk Fred will tell us about his journey to adopting alternative beekeeping methods and explain reasons why he chose them.
This talk is suitable for all beekeepers from new to experienced.
Zoom Details
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82559967494?pwd=bVBmbVRyOHhuNEJkdmNQYmdRQWNIUT09
Meeting ID: 825 5996 7494
Passcode: 310983
May:
Saturday 14th May. 2pm.
Queen Rearing Practical Training Part 1
This is the first of a two-part practical training session, led by Master Beekeeper, Viki Cuthbertson, for members who wish to raise their own Queen bees.
Location: Joe Birkby Teaching Apiary.
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Sunday 22nd May
2 – 4pm
Meet the Bees Taster Event
This year Preston and District Beekeepers are running two “Meet the Bees” taster days
These days are aimed at anyone who would like to learn more about honeybees.
For more information or to book your place please see our New Beekeepers page
June:
Saturday 18th June. 2pm
PBKA Group Queen Rearing Part 2
This is the second of the two-part practical training sessions, led by Viki Cuthbertson, to discuss progress with Queen rearing and offer any direction or assistance needed.
Location: Joe Birkby Teaching Apiary.
July:
Saturday 23rd July.
9am – 3.30pm
Cost to be confirmed
National Bee Unit, Bee Health Day.
Hosted by Lancaster Beekeepers and led by the northern team of bee inspectors, this day will cover an in depth look at biosecurity, honeybee pests and diseases, including examples of AFB and EFB giving a rare opportunity to see these diseases for real.
In person at Lancaster Royal Grammar school, Lancaster.
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Sunday 24th July
2 – 4pm
Meet the Bees Taster Event
This year Preston and District Beekeepers are running two “Meet the Bees” taster days
These days are aimed at anyone who would like to learn more about honeybees.
For more information or to book your place please see our New Beekeepers page.
August:
Thursday 18th August. 7.30pm
Preparing Honey and Hive products for showing.
Speaker: John Goodwin
Experienced show judge, John will talk through the secrets of preparing winning hive products ready for competing in local shows.
There will be a chance to ask John questions at the end of his talk.
Location:
St Christopher’s Church
851 Blackpool Road, Lea,
Preston, PR2 1QS
September:
Saturday 24th September. 11.00am with judging at 1pm
Preston Beekeepers Annual Honey Show.
Judge: Ivor Flatman .
In person at St Theresa’s Club, 31 Queensway, Penwortham PR1 0DS.
Staging of exhibits from 11am
Lunch included
Judging by Ivor Flatman at 1pm
Speaker to be confirmed.
October:
Thursday 20th October. 7.30pm
Keeping Healthy Colonies.
Speaker: Margaret Murdin.
Margaret will talk through the essentials for maintaining colony health throughout the beekeeping year.
There will be a chance to ask Margaret questions at the end of her talk.
Location:
St Christopher’s Church
851 Blackpool Road, Lea,
Preston PR2 1QS
November:
Thursday 24th November. Branch AGM Speaker and Venue TBC
December:
Christmas Lunch. Details To Follow