Is this a newsletter or just the ramblings of a treasurer with a few bits of news to pass on to North Cotswold members?

Eric and Will attended the Gloucestershire BKA Executive Committee. For those who may not know, Eric is our Branch Delegate, voted on by you! I am an Executive member voted on at the County AGM. There are sound advantages in having two of our number representing the North Cotswolds at County level. Here are some important items from that meeting.

There was further discussion about the GBKA Bulletin and mailing to members. This has for long been done by Northern Bee Books as part of a package including Beekeepers' Quarterly. The AGM voted to discontinue this and there have now been problems with distribution. Part of the way forward is to use the Internet. There is an excellent list of EMAIL addresses in the bulletin that hasn't been sent out, but then if you had received it you wouldn't need them - if you follow me! For wired up beekeepers, key addresses are:

Eric Drinkwater - Eric@NCBKA.org.uk

Jeremy Voaden – Jeremy@NCBKA.org.uk

Annie Ellis - Bulletin Editor - annie@aellis3.fsnet.co.uk

Gloucestershire Beekeepers Association - honsec@gbka.fsnet.co.uk

Luddites like me and others not on the internet, will receive bulletins in due course by penny post or the like. Please be patient. Everyone is working for nothing and all will be sorted before too long.

The Open Day and Auction at Hartpury was officially a huge success. Perhaps due to communication difficulties the County Honey Show was less well supported. This is our Honey Show, one up from the Branch Show at Bourton on 26th August, Support both with your best honey ... which the Executive recommended should be £2.50 per lb. this season.

Robin Hall gave his Regional Bee Inspector report. Cases of chalk brood, Nosema and Acarine are arising and there seems to be a rise in EFB, including "hot spots" in Glos. This is partly explained by the high incidence of swarming and beekeepers bringing old, infected and untreated equipment out of retirement. Remember that swarms of unknown origin should be quarantined in case of disease and treated against Varroa on acquisition. As one who has been wiped out by foul brood I strongly advocate hygienic procedures. Scrape all old equipment and scorch with a powerful blow lamp. On a positive note, a new pheromone-based treatment against Varroa is on the horizon - all is not lost! In the meantime, do take measures to monitor mite levels and ensure your bees have a chance to come through the Winter (has it started already??!)

I spoke with Gordon Morgan who is responsible for the Wax House at Hartpury. This is available to all for processing wax. I am hoping to spend a day there, perhaps one Saturday in September, to sort out all my old comb. Let me know if you are interested in joining in.

Will Messenger