Bees Good News

Ok, its been a while I know. Im one of those people who keeps saying Rome wasn't built in a day. Anyway I have some news, good news thank God.
Last year I entered a competition with Magners cider, my favorite cider. I had to write a 100 words on why I would like to be a Beekeeper. I had completely forgotten about it and whilst sitting in my Taxi I was working out how much plywood I would need to make a brood box, two supers and a hive roof. Next thing my phone makes that silly noise telling me I have mail. As I was about to read it I got a fare, so left it. Eventually a couple of hours later I remembered I had mail to read and that was probably the best email I have ever had. It was from Oli Bowen at Magners, I have won first prize in the Magners Bee aid competition. This being a complete Beehive, a complete colony of Bees, a Beekeeping suit and all the tools needed to keep Bees including a two day Beekeeping course and BBKA membership.
As I have mentioned in a previous post, I have worked along side another Beekeeper in the past only to lose most of our Bees due to colony collapse disorder. I now feel positive about my future in Beekeeping and will definitely keep this blog up to date. Below is my 100 words.

'To learn the craft of a Beekeeper would bee amazing. I have often thought about beecombing a Bee keeper but just never got round to doing it. The problems with disappearing bees is worrying and I think everyone should help in some way to save our bees. After all they are  partly responsible for sustaining life on our planet. So a larger network of trained beekeepers with the proper tools and knowledge through education has got to be a better way forward in combating bee diseases and the disappearance of bees from our planet'.  

Grow your own

I started to get interested in the Grow your own culture this time last year but unfortunately the only things we have grown so far are Tomatoes and Strawberry's. The idea is to have a productive garden i.e vegetables and fruit and a few chickens for eggs. The garden is on the small size but did house a 12 x 12 x 5 Koi pond which I  filled in on my own single handed with many tons of top soil.  Well eventually the chickens arrived in the early summer and are a great source of entertainment and delicious eggs. An area for three raised beds 8'x4' each is set aside and awaiting more top soil to fill the beds. Also I intend on building a greenhouse with wood and builders polythene. I hope to add pictures and updates when I can so stay tuned or watch this space.

MewsHypnotherpy

Its always nice to see someone doing well, in particularly if hard work has paid off and of course if things are done honestly. We see in life many people driving around in big expensive cars which are the fruits of ill-gotten gain. Usually drug dealing, lying, or scamming are prime examples of how some people get on in life, so when you know of someone who is doing well and you know they have worked hard for what they have then you should admire them and be happy for them. 
I have today had a visit from a friend Simon Nielson who has qualified as a Hypnotherapist and continues to study for further qualifications and a degree. A lot of work has also gone into setting up his practice in Birkenhead on the Wirral. So if you know anyone who has done well in these hard times, and in the correct, honest way then tell them WELL DONE. If anyone would care to read my blog then check out his new twitter page Mews Hypnotherapy by Simon Nielson
 

Why are the Bees disapearing?

CCD Colony collapse disorder is the phenomenon where honey bees in a hive or colony just disappear. It was first noticed in America in 2006 and has since spread around the world. Very little is known about how and why it happens. The BBKA, British Bee Keepers Association have warned of the seriousness of this and say that if urgent action is not taken, i.e money spent by government and DEFRA, then honey bees would completely dissapear from Britain by 2016 and this will cause calamitous economic and environmental problems. As we all know Bees make delicious honey, but more importantly they pollinate a vast range of plants and crops. In short, if we don't have Bees we don't have crops and we don't have food, its that simple. Einstein predicted that if the Honey Bee died off we would have 4.5 years left. As a Beginner beekeeper and working with a mentor I have seen and watched this disaster unfold. In 2006 if you wanted to buy a new queen right colony it would cost you £40. By 2008colonies were disappearing fast and if you wanted to restock, it would cost you £90 per new colony. It is now 2009 I have had to leave the hobby because we have Few Bees left. And now if I want to restock, it will cost me £150 per colony. Just think what this means to commercial beekeepers. I don't know what the answers are, Varroa, Foul brood, Hive beetle I don't think so.  I am not a scientist and I don't have the money to spend on research. Ok so how do we find a solution to this problem? I think a worldwide research body needs to be set up and governments need to look at this problem seriously. When you talk to someone about the plight of the Honey Bee they laugh because they really don't think its an issue, after all its only a little insect isn't it? Our society has more important things on their minds like looking after number one and sod everyone or anything else. So we need to educate society so everybody can do their bit whatever that may be. Apis Mellifera - the Honey Bee, the future of mankind depends on it. Spread the word.