Category Archives: Uncategorized

Bee buddies Would you like a beekeeping buddy? It might be that you need a bit of help with the hefting or you’d just like somebody with whom to share our amazing hobby. Whatever it is, we have a buddy scheme which may be right for you! Whether you’d like some occasional assistance, a oneContinueContinue reading “Buddy”

By Charlie Mallindine The story starts in spring 2019. It was queen rearing season and we had big plans to re-queen our most aggressive hive – Queen Bluebell. Eventually after many failed attempts to rear a queen we succeeded, and the time arrived to give Bluebell, that angry tyrant, the chop. Now, Bluebell’s bees onceContinueContinue reading “Charlie”

DEFRA launches its Healthy Bees Plan 2030 to help protect honey bees Here is the press release from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Rebecca Pow MP.There are links to more detailed information about the new plan and plenty background reading for the inquisitive but the two main ‘what can I do’ContinueContinue reading “Healthy bee plan 2030”

Temporary notice: The varroa calculator is currently not available on the new Beebase website. Meridian has asked asked the National Bee Unit to migrate it over as soon as possible as it’s one of the most useful tools on the site. In the meantime, we can use the graphs available in this document which canContinueContinue reading “Counting varroa”

Heather honey Each year, at the summer’s end, some Meridian beekeepers take their strongest hives to the New Forest. Ling heather growing there begins flowering in late July and continues until September. Colonies taken to the heather must be in peak condition, having a well-laying queen and plenty of bees. As ever with beekeeping, goodContinueContinue reading “Taking bees to the heather”