Time to be thinking about entering something for the Dorset County Show. It is not just honey. There are other bee products you can enter. The full schedule is attached. 

All Dorset Beekeepers Association members are invited to enter their honey and hive products in the Dorset County Show.  A printed copy and entry form is available on request from  richard@wykeregis19.plus.com

An entry form is available here.

    All entries must  to be staged by 8.15am or on Friday by arrangement.  Entries may be collected after 6.00 pm Saturday or any time Sunday by arrangement. Plenty of help and advice is available.  Just ask.

And whilst you are planning your entry for the show why not pop out to the Sunflower Trail near Maiden Castle. There is tea and coffee, places to sit – and above all – loads of sunflowers. Why not take the whole family?

Last Sunday was the Warmwell fete. If you are giving up the afternoon to explain to people what beekeeping is all about then what better place to do it than in the grounds of Warmwell House?

We had a busy afternoon raising awareness of the importance of bees and the dangers of Asian Hornet. In addition we sold a lot of honey and lots of people rolled candles.

Whilst I have your attention can I suggest that you might like to sign this petition which is to ask the government to update the labelling requirements for the sale of honey. As we are well aware there are companies in the UK selling “honey” at a price which is so low as to be ridiculous. If we get the labelling changed then the public may find out what they have been buying!

Last week was Cattistock Countryside Show. Not the warmest of days, nor the driest but still the visitors came to see us.

During the day we had a constant stream of visitors wishing to roll candles. It was surprising how many chose the uncoloured wax rather than any of our brighter colours.

On the information side we were able to inform the public about matters related to beekeeping. It always amazes me the range of knowledge that “Joe and Josephine Public” have about bees. Yesterday we spoke to people who did not realise the importance of bees to pollination right through to one gentleman who was an expert on solitary bees, one who manages several nature reserves in Dorset. We even had a visit from a bee inspector. Whatever the knowledge of our visitors they were all welcome and we were as keen to learn as we were keen to inform.

Well we have packed up and moved on – but if you missed it there is another show this weekend at Warmwell to the East of Dorchester at Warmwell Village Fete.

Just a brief reminder of the Cattistock Countryside Show this Sunday – 24th July 2022.

Dorchester and Weymouth Beekeepers will be there to answer questions. Perhaps you are thinking of keeping bees and want to know what is involved. Come and see us.

If you miss us at that one then there is another chance since we will be at Warmwell Village Show next weekend – Sunday 31st July.

Whilst I have your attention can I issue a timely reminder about the Asian Hornet. So far it has been quiet – but as channel traffic builds up in the holiday season then there is more risk that we will get stowaways in returning holiday traffic. Could be in a caravan or a camper van or hiding amongst camping equipment.

In Australia they have just had the first reports of Varroa. They are sparing nothing in destroying it now – before it gets a hold. If only we had done the same when Varroa first arrived in this country. Let us not make the same mistake with the Asian Hornet.

Seems like ages since I was able to tell you about competitions but there are two coming up – one out of County and one in County.

Somerset County Show
The Somerset County Show is to be held in Vivary Park, Taunton TA1 3SX on 5th and 6th August under the umbrella of the Taunton Flower Show. I have attached the Somerset County Honey Show Schedule 2022 just here. I am assured that members of the Dorset BKA are welcome to submit entries.

Dorset County Show
The Dorset County Show is to be held in Dorchester on the 3rd and 4th September at the County Showground in Dorchester. The Honey Show Schedule is not yet available but in the meantime you can check out the programme here.