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.
Summer 2024 Preston & District Beekeepers will be at the following shows. We’d love you to come and say hello!
Fylde Vintage Steam Fair – Saturday & Sunday 29th & 30th June
Goosnargh & Longridge Agricultural Show Saturday 6th July.
Garstang Agricultural Show – Saturday 3rd August
January 2023:
PBKA Mid Winter Social Event
Please join us for our PBKA Mid-Winter Meal on Saturday 6th January 2024 at Longton VM – Bowling Club, Victory Lane, (off school lane) Longton PR4 5DL. Time: 12 til 3pm.
Cost: £5 per person (partners welcome) Please confirm your attendance by making payment by BACS to the club bank account.
Account Name: Lancashire & North West Beekeepers Association Preston Branch
Sort Code: 20-69-85 Account Number: 30429783 Ref Xmas 23
Lunch will be a hot buffet with tea/coffee. Please let us know beforehand if you have any dietary requirements. The bar will be open – but drinks are not included in the price!
February:
Wednesday 21st February
CPR training and the use of a defibrillator. Delivered by Chorley’s Angels
7pm to 9pm
St Christopher’s Church Hall, Preston PR2 1QS
March:
Saturday 2nd March
Spring Convention at Archbishop Temple C of E School Preston PR2 8RA
Lectures by Trisha Marlow on Bees Abroad and Forage and Plants. Dave Heaton demonstrating making hornet traps and a hornet update and the Branch AGM, includes lunch and refreshments.
More details soon with price and how to purchase tickets
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Wednesday 20th March via Zoom
Double Brood Chamber working by Dan Basterfield
7.30pm to 9pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9062360597?pwd=bDAwNUw3RVlqQXVQWDl6RlZiWU1QUT09&omn=83194138101
Meeting ID: 906 236 0597
Passcode: 8XCRzL
Since the 1980’s, Dan has been running colonies on double brood chambers, having realised early in his beekeeping career that the traditional single deep box offers too little brood space for colonies. Whilst this is common practice in much of the world, in the UK it is viewed with suspicion. Few realise how compressed colonies are in a single National brood box, resulting in excessive swarming. Instead, add more brood space and work with the bees rather than against them. He will discuss general management, swarm control, wintering, and the transition to double brood from a single brood or brood and a half.
April:
Talk: Wednesday 17th April
7pm to 9pm
at The Intact Centre, 49 Whitby Ave, Ingol, Preston PR2 3YP
Managing Colony Numbers Martin Smith President of L&NWBKA
Martin is interested in the fact that a lot of beekeepers either end up with less colonies than they would like or struggle to keep their numbers under control, with colonies increasing each year resulting in more than they can handle or wanted in the first place. This talk will explain how the beekeeper can take control over the number of colonies they have, rather than the bees dictating as often seems to be the case.
MAY:
Saturday 18th May
Practical session: Queen capture, marking & clipping and swarm control manipulations e.g. Pagden and Demaree
To be held at the Joe Birkby Teaching Apiary
Start time: 1.30pm
June:
Saturday 15th June
Auction & social event
To be held at Joe Birkby Teaching Apiary
12.30pm to 3pm including a buffet social, auction and raffle.
Cost: £5 payable in advance by BACS to PBKA with reference SUMMER5
July:
Saturday 13th July
Meet the Bees Taster session
2- 4pm
More details to follow.
Saturday 20th July
Practical session Wax extraction and display of club equipment
To be held at the Joe Birkby Teaching Apiary.
Start time: 1.30pm
August:
Saturday 17th August
Meet the Bees taster session
2-4pm
More details to follow.
Wednesday 21st August
Honey Bee Anatomy with Siuna Reid.
Siuna has been interested in the world about her since a young age. Fascinated by insects, plants and animals she fulfilled her ambitions in becoming a vet. Caring mainly for exotic pets, Siuna is well practiced in spaying a tortoise or doing a rabbit dental.
During lockdown, a course on bee medicine opened another door and her fascination for insects had been rekindled.
Bees are incredible! Adapted perfectly to a structured society and with a body more like a multiple functioning tool kit (Swiss Army knife), Siuna will highlight the ingenious methods that bees utilise to flourish. From pollen baskets, to antennae, and from the 5 chambered heart to the sting chamber; come, enjoy and learn the highlights of Apis mellifera!
An essential talk for anyone considering taking Module 5.
To be held at the Intact Centre, 49 Whitby Avenue, Preston PR2 3YP
Start time 7pm.
September:
Saturday 21st September
Honey Show at Samlesbury Memorial hall
Further details to follow.
October:
Saturday 5th October
Lancashire Honey Show
Talk: Wednesday 16th October TBC Intact centre 7pm to 9pm
November:
Preston & District Beekeepers Association
Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 20th November 7pm to 9pm Intact centre