CBKA
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2021
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www.cbka.org.uk

## **Editor’s report** 

This yearbook contains the CBKA reports for 2021, and is again somewhat shorter than usual due to the effects of Covid-19. Sadly, we heard that John Witter died in September and there is a Tribute to him in this yearbook; John was a member for many years, doing a huge amount of work on behalf of CBKA, and will be greatly missed. There are no Annual General Meeting minutes again for the year since it was again postponed, with very few people willing to meet in-person in 2021; however, an online meeting is now being planned for April. The Committee members remained in place and continued to work on behalf of the CBKA. Because of the on-going pandemic, other in-person meetings, training sessions, assessments, and the honey show had to be cancelled for 2021. There were, however a few outside events that CBKA were able to attend later in the year, which were very successful for sales and talking with the public. There were a large number of on-line talks, thanks to the outstanding organisation of Sally and her team; these were all excellent and attracted large audiences, including a lot of people from around the country and from overseas, with many of these joining as associate members. Towards the end of the year Sally also organised monthly get-togethers in various pubs around the county, which have been enthusiastically attended and will continue for the foreseeable future; so I hope to see some of you at these events. 

I am again pleased to have continued serving as CBKA editor, including editing and sending out the e-bulletins. However, there have been disappointingly few CBKA News articles sent in during the year, insufficient even for one issue. Therefore, I would ask once again that if you have any possible contributions for CBKA News, please send them to me. They can be any length and on any topic, so long as it at least vaguely relates to bees or beekeeping. Any reports on any of the online talks would be good, since not everyone gets to attend them; recordings of the talks are on the website, so you can go back and listen again to make it easier to write, and I am always happy to check, edit or even help to write an article. 

With our own beekeeping, Pam and I started 2021 with six hives going through winter, but lost one where the queen failed to build up in spring. I was going to split a couple of hives, but three swarmed before I could and I 

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managed to collect them. However, two of the swarms just never built up, despite all seeming okay over several weeks, so we remained with six hives. Honey production was erratic, with some hives producing large amounts and others very little, and the final honey crop was only average and lower than the previous year. We have again left a super full of honey/sugar syrup as brood and a half in each hive, with Candipolline Gold above the crown board on all, and all six seem to be going through the winter well. The only slight problem is mice, which set up home in the top of one hive, and have been eating the Candipolline in two hives; had to take the Candipolline out of one and leave the top open for a few dry days in the other, which seems to have cleared the problem. 

Despite lockdown, insects are unaffected and we need to guard against Asian hornets again. Also, Bee Inspectors can continue inspections, with social distancing, so if you think you have infection problems in any of your hives do continue to contact them for advice. Here’s hoping that lockdown conditions improve as we go through the year and I wish you all well and that you have a successful 2021 season with your bees. 

Peter Bates 

**4** 



## **Chair’s Report** 

Despite 2021 being another year dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic, it was nevertheless a busy year for the Committee and beekeeping. In my report I will summarise key activities and events undertaken by your CBKA Committee members and volunteers. 

I wish to start by paying respect to two long-standing and important contributors to the Cambridge beekeeping community, Professor Sir Peter Lachmann and Mr John Witter. Sir Peter died aged 89 on Boxing Day 2020. He was an eminent clinical immunologist, Fellow and ‘keeper of bees’ at Christ’s College for several years. He provided many talks on his expertise in allergy and desensitisation to bee stings. In September 2021, John Witter died suddenly and this came as a shock, both to those of us on the Committee who knew him and to those in the Cambridge beekeeping community. John was a longstanding CBKA Committee member, and a recipient of honorary CBKA membership in recognition of his many contributions (see Tribute in the following report). 

Throughout 2021 I have been delighted and honoured to Chair the Committee. Here again I wish to recognise and thank each and every one of them for their selfless contributions, enthusiasm and support to further all things beekeeping! A major contribution to CBKA in 2021 has been the development and launch of the brand new CBKA website, expertly led by out IT expert Martin Kendall. The site has taken a huge amount of time and includes a feature to easily join the CBKA online, using an electronic payment system, removing the need for paper applications and posting. This really helps our  membership secretary Liz Cox, and I would like to thank her here too for her support and contributions throughout 2021. 

I would also like to thank Jonathan Baynes who, in mid-2021, stepped down after five years as our local Seasonal Bee Inspector, and BIG apiary manager at Bourn. He continues to support CBKA with the bulk purchase of honey jars for the membership. Related to this, I am pleased to report that Colin Bell has stepped forward to taking up the management of the Bourn apiary from Jonathan and we wish him every success. Thanks also to Sarah Irons who stepped down after many years as librarian for the CBKA collection and archive at Cambridge Central Library. I welcome and thank Alison (Lal) Goodfellow for volunteering as the new librarian. Without volunteers there 

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would be no CBKA. Yet again I want to use this opportunity to encourage members to step forward if you feel that you could help with the running of your association. 

The association has grown significantly in its membership in 2021, especially through our international associate members. Here, I thank you members from around the globe for your support and attendance at the virtual online education programme organised by Sally Knowles and her team. Sally and her team do a tremendous job in identifying speakers, topics and the Zoom calls, and another big thank you to them for this excellent ongoing series. 

January 2021 brought a change to several previously face-to-face meetings, moving either to an online platform, or their cancellation. The Beginners’ Course was sadly cancelled, although plans were made to hold practical sessions at the Impington and Wandlebury apiaries for the 2020 intake of beginner beekeepers. The CBKA Annual General Meeting, planned for March unfortunately had to be cancelled in view of the on-going Covid-19 restrictions. The March One-Day seminar was also cancelled. The month of January was also dominated by debate and discussion surrounding the UK Government’s derogation of the use of a neonicotinoid (thiomethoxam) following pressure from sugar beet growers. They argued that this was needed to protect their crop from being destroyed by aphids carrying the virus yellows disease. At the BBKA Annual Delegates Meeting (attended by Doug Brown and myself to represent CBKA) there was overwhelming majority vote to lobby the government to overturn this derogation order, asking for more details on the scientific justification. In the end, there was no need to use thiomethoxam due to the low aphid infestation rate, but pressure is still needed in case of future derogation orders. 

Other highlights from January included CBKA joined the Cambridge Conservation Forum, and work began on a new research proposal to investigate European Foul Brood issues in Cambridgeshire, led by new Committee member Philip Turon. The CBKA Committee agreed to use its dedicated research funds, matched by Bee Diseases Insurance Ltd, to support a research student with oversight by Professor Giles Budge at Newcastle University. Look out for further information in future newsletters and ebulletins 

In February, the BBKA announced that their annual Spring Convention 

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scheduled for April would be held online rather than at the Harper Adams University campus near Telford, Shropshire. In June, Sally Knowles proposed an excellent idea to hold small informal pub meetings around several localities around Cambridgeshire. These have been hosted by committee members and other CBKA volunteers and are proving to be very popular to share beekeeping top-tips and guidance. 

In May and June, about 45 new beekeepers were provided with their hands-on practical sessions at Impington and Wandlebury apiaries, delayed from 2020 due to lockdown. Thanks here to the apiary managers – Bill Block and Roy Cross at Impington and Stephen Poyser at Wandlebury. I also want to thank other CBKA volunteers for helping out with hosting these sessions, which were very well received and a key part of an introduction to beekeeping. 

At the end of July, I was pleased to forget about the pandemic for the day and support our CBKA stall at the Ely Cathedral Green fair. We explained beekeeping to interested members of the public, whilst selling lots of delicious CBKA local honey. The observation hive is always a popular attraction to the stall, whether to children or adults. I offer here again my thanks for the support from several volunteers, and to our events organiser, Hazel Bickle. 

You may know from previous CBKA communications that we have an ambition to own our own teaching apiary and facility in the Cambridge area. We are always on the lookout for available land on which this could be possible. A small sub-committee, chaired by Doug Brown, leads this activity. In August, Doug became aware of a potential site in collaboration with the Anglian Water Authority. They announced a proposal to relocate their sewage water treatment site from Cowley Road to a new site in North East Cambridge. This could be an opportunity to incorporate a Teaching apiary at this new site. Therefore, Doug Brown led a proposal and this was submitted to Anglian Water Authority; we await further news on developments in 2022. 

Unfortunately, another casualty of the Covid-19 lockdown was the cancellation of the Quy country fair, at which the CBKA would normally host a marquee to hold its annual honey show at the end of August. We are hoping that this may return in 2022, and will keep the membership informed. 

In September, Stephen Poyser organised a taster session for prospective beekeepers at Chesterton College on Gilbert Road. This was very well 

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attended and strongly supported by several Committee members and CBKA Volunteers. The session is provided to deliver a clear explanation and overview of what is involved in beekeeping, so that the attendees can make a more informed decision whether they wish to proceed to apply to join the ever-popular Beginner’s Course (due to start in January 2022). Around 180 people registered their interest in the course, culminating in 87 signing-up to attend the course. 

In October, we were delighted to receive a generous donation from the Harris Family Charitable Trust and this has been used to purchase remote hive-monitoring equipment for three hives at the Impington apiary, managed by Bill Block and Roy Cross. Doug Brown has led on this project and I want to recognise and thank him here for this. As I write this report, we are in the testing phase of the installed equipment and it is our intention to provide a link on the CBKA website, accompanied by explanation and interpretation of the data generated from the hives throughout the coming 2022 season. 

As the 2022 season drew to a close, with readying the hives for the winter break and cleaning and maintaining equipment, I had time to reflect again on lessons learnt, successes and failures of my own hives in my Earith garden. For me, it was a very productive season, with lots of bees and lots of honey! My addiction to beekeeping continues and I close my report by once again thanking especially the Committee members, and all others of you who have volunteered. I look forward to meeting many of you in 2022, both new and established beekeepers, and encourage you to take every opportunity to share your expertise as well as your problems and pitfalls to further advance this fascinating hobby. 

Dr J Paul Schofield 

**8** 



## **Membership Report** 

Another very difficult year for everyone. However, once again this has not affected our membership numbers, which are higher than they have been for some time. Below are the figures for 2021, with the comparative figures for 2019 and 2020. 

|**Year**|**Ordinary**|**Associate**|**Honorary**|**Partner**|**Companion**|**Junior**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2021|372|168|4|60|21|15|640|
|2020|446|29|5|64|23|19|586|
|2019|402|28|6|61|22|19|538|



Although we did experience an anticipated reduction in our Ordinary membership, because we were unable to run a Beginners Course in 2021, this has been more than offset by the large increase in Associate members. Our fantastic online talks programme has been received enthusiastically around the world and many attendees have taken out Associate membership. 

The BBKA subscription rates changed on 1 October 2021 from £19 to £21 + £2 basic BDI for Ordinary members and from £12.50 to £13.50 for Partner members. The Committee agreed to absorb half of this rise and consequently the total payment due for 2022 is £29 for Ordinary members and £16 for Partner members. The respective remainder of £6 and £2.50 is for membership of CBKA. 

Martin Kendall has revamped the CBKA website and there is now an online application form that allows payment via PayPal, automatically generating a receipt. Members are able to print out the Wandlebury Car Park permit and a membership card if they so wish. Although it has not been possible to totally replicate the old system, it is more than adequate and, because it is based on Wordpress, will be easier to maintain in future. It is saving time, resources and postage. Setting it up has involved a huge amount of work by Martin, but is working well and has proved popular amongst the membership. 

As we move to this new system, the old database will eventually be retired. I would like to acknowledge the enormous debt CBKA owe to John Rayner, who set up the original membership system many years ago, and thank him for his valuable assistance to me over my years as Membership Secretary. 

I have been Membership Secretary since 2015, so I need a rest and I shall be resigning as  Membership Secretary at the forthcoming AGM. Elizabeth Cox 

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## **John Witter** 

John didn’t intend to become a beekeeper, but after Eleanor’s father passed away, they brought two hives of bees from Gloucester to Hills Road, Cambridge. They started going to CBKA apiary meetings at Wandlebury in 1991 and then, feeling brave opened their own hives. The following spring they attended the CBKA Beginners Course which was given by Bob Lemon. 

John had also been spotted by the then Treasurer Bob Elliott and, having taken early retirement, he was persuaded to become the next Treasurer in 1992, a position he then held until 2011. During this period John was also involved in restructuring the Beginners Course to such a degree that it was so highly thought of by other Associations that the syllabus and format were sent to adjoining Associations and the CBKA Course attracted prospective beekeepers from Norfolk, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Northants and Bedfordshire. 

For a period of at least 10 years John also dealt with the organisation, purchase and transportation of up to 60 hives a year and subsequently helped beginners to construct them as part of the Beginners Course. The construction of the hives was carried out in a number of locations including Wandlebury, the Scout Headquarters on Perne Road and John’s own garage and garden. He also assisted in the construction of the “Bee Shed” at Wandlebury and the robust construction has allowed it to continue with minimal maintenance for over 20 years. 

His main activity for 19 years was the CBKA, where he did the accounts for both the CBKA and it’s trading arm Cambridgeshire Apiaries. All of the CBKA book-keeping was in ledgers, so that kept him pretty busy. He was instrumental in acquiring and fitting out the trailer, which became the sales stall used at events for many years. He sourced the honey, wax and numerous other items which were sold at events and organised the volunteers to man the trailer, as well as being at many of the events himself. 

John was not keen on handling combs of bees, but was happy to be involved and deal with the heavy lifting, mending, cleaning boxes and frames, extracting and processing wax and honey, and ultimately eating honey. Beekeeping (essentially the CBKA) became an all-consuming hobby for John until he and Eleanor stopped keeping bees in 2010, but he maintained an active interest in the running and organisation of the CBKA. 

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There is no doubt that he has left a lasting mark on the CBKA and its operations, the current state of the organisation is in no small amount due to the input he made to its development and the publicity it gained as a result of it’s appearance at shows, fetes and events in Cambridgeshire. 

Eleanor Witter and Stephen Poyser 

## **Beginners and Beyond** 

As a result of Covid-19, the 2021 Beginners Course was cancelled because it did not seem feasible to run the course through Zoom or an equivalent system; the tutors are generally not professional teachers and the 2020 course showed us that the most valuable parts of the course are the practical sessions where the theory is shown in its true light. It was also deemed not possible to hold practical sessions for the 2020 course in addition to another course in 2021, and so it was agreed to try to conclude the 2020 course before starting a further course. 

This resulted in a carry-forward of a significant number of prospective attendees to the 2022 course, with the anticipation that it would be able to start in early January, assuming we are allowed to do so!!! We were, however, able to hold the practical sessions for the 2020 course during the late spring and early summer of 2021. Although not everyone who undertook the theory sessions was able to attend the practical sessions, there were enough of them to make the exercise worthwhile. 

During 2021, additional names were added to the list of prospective attendees for the 2022 course, resulting in a total of 182 on the list. In an effort to ensure we only had seriously interested people on the 2022 course, an “Introductory Session” was held in September and this, together with the passage of time after some had originally contacted us, meant that we have been able to accept all those who wanted to come on the course – we have a full course of just under 90 students ready for 2022. 

Many thanks to all the people who assisted in the aspects of the completed part of the 2020 course and the preparation for the 2022 course, which included IT expertise, manhandling chairs and PA equipment and the giving of lectures. More help will be required in 2022 in providing nucleus colonies 

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of bees and giving both time and expertise with the practical sessions. Therefore, please let me know if you are willing to be involved in any of these, otherwise I will be forced to contact the faithful regulars, who I know want to share the roles wider. 

Although it is repetition, I want to emphasise yet again that this year has shown how vital it is for beginners to obtain practical training. Therefore, when you are joining the CBKA please seriously consider offering to help a beginner or let me know you are willing to be a bee buddy. Otherwise some beginners will flounder with the hobby and will either give up or keep bees in a way that could potentially cause problems for other beekeepers in their area. Stephen Poyser, Beginners Course Coordinator 

## **Wandlebury Apiary Report** 

The 8 colonies taken into the winter at the end of 2020 comprised: 6 in National brood boxes (including 1 with a super on as a brood and a half), 1 in a Dartington hive and 1 in a National 14 x 12 brood box. The winter was uneventful, although I was able to treat the hives with oxalic acid to reduce the level of varroa before the bees started to produce any brood. One of the National hives dwindled away in the early spring (even though it had more than 10 kg of food stores), which was probably as a result of  a failing queen; however, all of the other hives went through the 2020/21 winter in good condition. 

All hives were treated with Apistan (a pyrethroid-based insert) in the autumn of 2021. During the winter of 2021/22 it is again intended to give the hives a treatment of oxalic acid (by the trickle method) if the weather permits, in an attempt to ensure the colonies start the year with as few varroa mites as possible; however, at the time of writing this, the weather forecast is to be over 16°C through the new year, so it may be a problem!!! 

In the early spring of 2021, the colonies were fed fondant icing as an insurance against starvation, and Candipolline Gold as a pollen substitute to boost brood production. This again proved worthwhile as the colonies were strong by the late spring, and so it is intended to use Candipolline Gold again in the spring of 2022. We were able to use the apiary for the practical sessions for the 2020 beginners course members. However, Covid-19 prevented the 

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apiary being used for any practical apiary meetings (PAMs), examinations or the requirement for a stocked observation hive for use by the education team of wardens at Wandlebury. 

During the summer, several colonies were split to prevent swarming, but no additional colonies were created because they were merged back together in the autumn. We did lose one colony during the summer, but had collected two swarms from Shelford, so again ended the year with 8 hives: 6 in National brood boxes (including 1 as double brood as a result of amalgamation), 1 in a Dartington hive and 1 in a National 14 x 12 brood box. 

European foul brood (EFB) was again found to the south of Cambridge in the summer, which resulted in the hives needing to be checked by the Seasonal Bee Inspector, but I am pleased to report that no EFB was found. As a result of a combination of early flowering ivy and me being a little late with feeding the hives, they all collected a huge amount of ivy honey during the autumn. However, they were still fed syrup, and given mouse guards and woodpecker protection before winter. A check on the weight of the hives will be carried out at regular intervals during the winter and, if required, packs of fondant icing will be added. If the colonies are of sufficient strength, it is intended to split some of them and re-stock the WBC hive, whilst ensuring there are enough good colonies for beginners to carry out inspections and manipulations. 

The apiary again had a productive year and 19 supers were removed, which are expected to yeild in the region of 450 lb of honey that will be sold to supplement the CBKA’s bank account. Cambridge Past, Present and Future, our landlords, are intending to undertake some work around the shed and apiary during early 2022, so you will notice the removal of some trees and the reduction in size of others; this work is being undertaken as a result of ash die-back disease. 

If normality resumes, we can meet freely again in 2022 and if you wish to be involved in helping with the Wandlebury apiary please contact me. I again intend to use the time for a combination of sharing information and spreading the load of looking after the CBKA interests at Wandlebury, while enjoying beekeeping. 

Stephen Poyser, Wandlebury Apiary Manager 

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## **Impington Apiary Report** 

After colony losses in 2020, from European foul brood (EFB) and failing queens, 2021 was a year of recovery, with 7 colonies prepared for winter. The colonies had been well fed with syrup in autumn 2020 and homemade candy or Candipolline blocks were put on lighter hives in the New Year. One small colony died over winter, but six survived and had laying queens when fully inspected in early April 2021. 

The apiary had several cases of EFB in 2019 and 2020, so we were greatly relieved that the apiary was clear of foul brood when inspected by Jonathan Baynes (SBI) on the 2 April 2021. Later in the year, we were concerned about some suspicious looking larvae in 4 colonies, but this was thought to be Sac brood and varroa damage because again, no foul brood was found by Jack Silberrad (SBI) on the 8 August. Hopefully the apiary is now free of EFB, but we will remain vigilant and regularly carry out disease inspections. 

Several colonies produced queen cells in April and these were artificially swarmed to increase the number of colonies at the apiary. Unfortunately, April was very cold, with some night-time frosts, and split colonies were very slow to build up and draw out new foundation. May had several days of rain and this may have prevented virgin queens from mating well, as some were later found to be drone laying queens. The slow build-up of the colonies was reflected in the poor honey yield of only 120lb from 8 productive hives; the best colony only produced about 28lbs of honey. Previously the Bedlam apiary had considerably more honey as shown below. 

|**Year**|**Productive hives**|**Honey yield (lb)**|**Yield per**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**productive hive**|
||||**(lb)**|
|2016|10|300|30|
|2017|8-9|410|45|
|2018|7|320|45|
|2019|8|420|52|
|2020|6|160|27|
|2021|8|120|15|



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There were some very productive colonies at the apiary in 2017-19, but the queens and their genetic lines were partly culled when EFB colonies were destroyed in 2019 and 2020. This has left the apiary with only two queen lines of less productive colonies and we may introduce or buy in new queens to improve the genetic stock in 2022. 

Practical training sessions could not be held in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions. Some of these control measures were eased in 2021, and in late May and June, the 2020 Beginners Course members were invited to Bedlam in three groups for three evening training sessions – nine sessions altogether. For the first few sessions, we were rather short of good CBKA colonies to demonstrate to beginners and so some of Bill Block’s hives were used until queens started to lay and brood developed. Groups were kept small, with no more than 3 beginners around each hive to ensure social distancing. 

Three trial runs of queen rearing using grafting were undertaken to test the technique during 2021. These trials were too late in the season for raising queens, but it was a useful practice. It is planned to continue to rear queens from good stock during the coming season. 

The apiary is nicely sheltered on the north, west and east sides, but open to agricultural land and prevailing winds from the southwest. In order to provide more shelter on the southern boundary of the apiary, we obtained a grant from the Woodland Trust to plant a hedge across the width of the site. The Trust provided a hedge planting pack of five species (hawthorn, dogwood, hazel, crab apple and dog rose) for free, which enabled a 14m x 0.5m hedge to be planted in November. Work parties, which included Peter Dawson and May Block, cultivated and planted the 30 saplings, complete with compost, a weed suppressing membrane and tree guards. We hope for a good establishment! 

A hive monitoring project was begun at the apiary during the current winter, with the generous help of a donation from The Harris Family Trust to the CBKA. The equipment includes in-hive sensors to monitor temperature and humidity in three hives, external bar scales to measure changes in hive weights and an external gateway unit (this unit also provides acoustic data if placed above a hive entrance). The gateway collects data wirelessly from the hive sensors and bar scales and transmits it to the cloud computer for analysis. Data and graphs are available via a user interface and it is planned, in due course, to stream these to the Association website for members to 

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see – further details will be publicised when available. Establishment and initial operation of the system has not been without glitches, but it is already providing information on conditions within the hives during winter and hopefully informative data on colony activity during the coming summer. The supplier of this Arnia system is Agrisound, based in York. We thank Doug Brown for his invaluable help and advice during the initiation of this exciting project. 

Twelve hives were treated with Apiguard, as soon as the honey supers were taken off on 28 August, and syrup was fed from the first week of September. We hope all will go through the winter successfully. 

The apiary managers would like to thank Steve Smith and Paul Schofield, who helped with the training sessions, and many thanks must go to Peter Dawson who has helped with regular inspections and maintenance work during the season. The Association again remains grateful to Chivers Farms Ltd for their continued support of the apiary at Bedlam Farm, Impington. Roy Cross & Bill Block, Impington Apiary Managers 

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## **Bourn Apiary Report** 

Sadly, for a second year due to Covid-19 restrictions, no Queen Rearing took place at Bourn in 2021. Michael Wilton-Cox and I have built up the apiary to seven colonies and four Nucs going into the winter of 2021. This will give a good opportunity to try a number of different techniques for raising queens in the coming year. 

We produced a few pounds of honey and I am pleased to say none of which had the nasty ‘farmyard’ taste we had experienced in 2020. Although several experts declared the 2020 honey to taste of buckwheat (and having tried some genuine buckwheat honey myself, it was certainly like it) the results of the sample sent to the UK Honey Monitoring Laboratory showed it contained: bramble 43%, garden radish 37%, radish 14%, borage 1%, bristly oxtongue 1% and a further 8 plants at trace levels, but no sign of buckwheat. So the source of the strange taste remains a mystery. If you have not used the UK Honey Monitoring service, I recommend it to you. The service is free and you get a detailed analysis of the plants from which your bees have been supping their nectar. 

After looking after the Bee Improvement Group (BIG) for several years, I have decided it is time to move on to other things and for someone else to take the reins. I am delighted to say that Colin Bell has agreed to take on the role of apiary manager at Bourn. I am very grateful for the support from the members of BIG over the years and am sure they will continue to provide the same for Colin. 

Jonathan Baynes 

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## **CBKA Equipment Use** 

Recorded borrowing of CBKA equipment from the Wandlebury bee-shed for the period 2013 through 2021 is shown below. This is not a comprehensive list, as some items were borrowed without being signed out and some were out for many months as a single booking (e.g. virtual hive for events and series of talks in previous years). 

||**2013**|**2014**|**2015**|**2016**|**2107**|**2018**|**2019**|**2020**|**2021**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Extractors**|86|119|85|79|106|79|65|85|60|
|**Pratley trays**|53|55|34|39|52|39|35|38|22|
|**Honey tanks**|11|27|13|24|25|18|13|17|15|
|**Wax melter**|1|1|2|1|1|2|2|2|1|
|**Easi-steam**|3|1|0|0|10|1|4|1|2|
|**Virtual hive**|-|7|2|7|9|5|7|0|1|
|**Creamer-paddle**|-|-|-|-|-|-|2|1|0|
|**Candle moulds**|-|-|-|-|-|-|3|2|0|
|**Apimelter**|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|7|7|



In addition to the items listed above, do not forget that the CBKA have filters, an electric uncapping knife, an uncapping tray and wax processing equipment, including a solar wax extractor, which can be borrowed if required. The records above show that Covid-19 had an impact on the use of the virtual hive for 2020 and 2021, and either Covid or a poor year for honey had dramatic effect on the use of extractors and Pratley trays. As a result of generous donations by former members, in 2021 we have acquired an additional extractor and several other items of equipment for use in the apiaries or for passing on to members of the CBKA. 

When you borrow a Pratley tray it is essential that you take the correct electric lead, as there are 3 different leads; otherwise, you will have had a wasted journey. When returning the Pratley tray please ensure the electric lead, wax filter and the uncapping board are also returned. If, whilst you are borrowing an item, you find that something is broken or breaks when you are using it, please inform us so that repairs can be implemented before somebody else takes the item out only to find they have had a wasted journey. 

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Regrettably, when the equipment has been returned the cleanliness of some of it still leaves something to be desired. Please make sure you return all equipment in a state you would want to find it, and return it a.s.a.p. after you have used it, because you can be certain other members want to borrow it at the same time as you do. 

The access track to the bee-shed has a gate and chain, and the CBKA has fitted a combination padlock to the Wandlebury Wardens’ padlock, so please link our padlock through the chain and the Wardens’ padlock when leaving the site, to enable both the CBKA members and the Wardens to use the track. Note that the bee-shed is fitted with movement sensors to switch the lights on and off, so do not try to find a switch to turn the lights off when you leave, and do please make sure you lock the bee-shed door. 

In an attempt to ensure only members of the CBKA use the equipment, when you contact us for the codes you may be kept waiting on the phone – even though we may recognise your name. This is so that we can check your membership details for the current year. 

**In order to borrow equipment you will require both the gate padlock code and the new door code; the door code will be changed again in early 2022. Please keep borrowed equipment for as short a time as possible (7 days as a maximum) because it is inconsiderate to other CBKA members for anyone to have equipment out for a long period of time** . 

Please ensure you book the equipment out and back in when appropriate, by putting details on the note-pad hanging adjacent to the extractors. Please write clearly and legibly because we need to know who you are. Please be considerate of other members if you borrow any equipment in 2022,  and return things promptly and clean. 

Stephen Poyser and Bill Clark, Wandlebury Equipment Coordinators 

**19** 



## **Passing the Baton – Seasonal Bee Inspector Report** 

Many readers, including myself, will have been visited by Jonathan Baynes for hive inspections and learned some gem under his patient and knowledgeable watch. It brings me great pleasure, in taking over as the bee inspector for Cambridgeshire, to embody the best that Jonathan brought to his role and to continue in the same vein. Having retired from inspecting bees, Jonathan continues his keen practice of beekeeping and I dare say has a bit more time for his own bee-related ventures. He’ll be missed from team meetings, though I am grateful to have had a genuinely dedicated and able tutor in my own role as Bee inspector for Cambridge and the surrounds. 

As a Cambridge resident and fellow beekeeper, I have worked hard to ingratiate myself with the beekeeping community. My ethos in each visit is both to ensure excellent health of our stock and, crucially, to come as a friendly, approachable expert in our craft. Having managed hundreds of colonies commercially, in the UK and abroad, it brings me great pleasure to share my experience, work through challenges or queries raised, and leave beekeepers with a positive experience of the National Bee Unit Inspectorate. If you have not yet had an inspection from myself, I gladly welcome contact and queries, especially when I can readily put a beekeeper at ease or offer some insight that makes a concept of apiculture ‘click’. Living in Cambridge as I do, I have been able to visit a great many of you and have seen hives in over 350 unique apiary visits in the last season, even as Covid-19 raged. Covering an area roughly as far north as the fringes of Peterborough and to the south to Saffron Walden and Caxton Gibbet toward Thetford, I have generally been impressed by the commitment to good apiculture in our beekeepers. 

The first contact of many beekeepers last season will have been through a routine request to inspect by myself or others by an automatically-generated email warning of proximity to European foul brood (EFB). It is inevitable that, with greater scrutiny, the object of interest will be found more frequently; however, it cannot be overstated that Cambridgeshire, particularly Cambridge, is currently experiencing a serious peak in the incidence of EFB. As beekeepers, it is crucial we do our utmost to limit the spread and distribution of EFB. Furthermore, it is our lawful obligation to eradicate it where we can. 

**20** 



The good news is that this can be achieved easily by anyone with a few simple measures. Inspect your colonies, maintain strong stock, regularly clean your hive tool in washing soda, and wash your suit when it gets messy. 

Swarms in particular carry a higher risk, as a colony with unknown provenance; house them on undrawn foundation and resist feeding for three days. EFB is transmitted in honey, carried in the crop of swarming bees – it is best put to use drawing comb, after which lavish your care upon your new stock as you please. Remember – swarms in the wild did not evolve to expect a well-meaning apiarist at the end of their journey – they will be OK! 

The sale of swarms collected all over Cambridge, offered as nuclei at a premium to fledgling beekeepers, is reprehensible – look after your bee buddies, inspect any bees you are considering buying, and take an experienced friend with you. Do not buy bees you cannot inspect. There have been numerous cases of EFB in the Fens, Newmarket and Cambridge as the direct result of the sale of infected swarms under this guise. Last year, Norfolk reported the first case of EFB strain 37, which Jonathan originally worked hard to identify as once unique to Cambridge. Additionally, St Ives has seen EFB reappear, after being quiet for so long, whilst colonies North of Cambridge are refreshingly clear. Surveillance and diligence pay dividends. 

To this end, I will enter 2022 with a renewed energy and motivation to see our incidence of EFB reduced. I want to reassure our members that EFB diagnosis is not a disaster, and it can happen to anyone. For those colonies in good condition and with enthusiastic beekeepers, shook swarms are a viable option for eradication. I am here at your service so that we may all keep healthy, productive bees, and I always welcome queries should you find something unusual in your hives. A quick phone call, or a photograph sent to jack.silberrad@apha.gov.uk might be all you need to confirm you really are looking at pollen (yes! it happens!) and not something less savoury. An EFB survey has been launched by Newcastle University in response to our outbreak and I encourage all to respond to it. 

You can find me at the regular CBKA socials for an informal discussion. Keep an eye on your hives, and have an outstanding season in 2022. As I type the blackthorn is in full bloom dusting our hedges like snow drifts, and the willow catkins are about to burst. I look forward to catching up with you in person in due course. All the best until then! 

Jack Silberrad – Seasonal Bee Inspector 

**21** 



## **Events Coordinator Report** 

Having not attended any events in 2020 as a result of Covid-19 regulations, it was gratifying to start the process of returning to normality by attending three events in the latter part of 2021. We were able to attend the Cambridge Past, Present and Future Open Day at Stourbridge Common, an event at Ely Cathedral and the Gransden Show. The public attended all of these events in numbers greater than expected and purchased honey in amounts far exceeding the anticipated volume, to such a degree that we were either very close to running out or ran out well before the event drew to a close. 

These three events were very well received by the public and generated a significant amount of interest in beekeeping, together with sales of over £1,650 which was made up of: 

|•|1 lb liquid honey|118|1/2 lb liquid honey|53|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|•|1 lb set honey|40|Cut comb|18|
|•|3/4 lb liquid honey|63|Wax blocks|29|
|•|3/4 lb set honey|30|||



As a result of not attending any events in 2020 and a very limited number of events in 2021 the CBKA had accumulated a significant amount of honey from the teaching apiaries. We were able to pass on some of it in tubs, which has resulted in sales of over £2,100 (at £3.50 / lb). 

We are hopeful that a full programme of events will be achievable in 2022, so that the education of the public can once again return to normality. We will also, hopefully, be able to sell most of the honey we hold in stock in jars to the public. 

Once again, thanks to all those who attended the events on behalf of the CBKA and were able to help educate the public and sow the seeds of beekeeping with the many children who came to our display and exhibit. Assuming we are allowed to attend events again in 2022, please offer to help if asked. It is definitely a rewarding experience and does give you the chance to talk freely with other beekeepers during the times when the public are not queuing up with interest. 

Hazel Bickle and Stephen Poyser 

**22** 



## **Treasurer’s Report** 

In my report last year, I commented that I expected the full effect of the pandemic on the Association’s finances would be felt in 2021 rather than 2020, with no Beginners’ Course, a reduction in membership and limited prospects for attending shows and selling the Association’s honey. Although those predictions came true, I am pleased to report that we are weathering the Covid-19 storms and the Association remains financially robust, with net income for the year substantially higher than expected of c. £5,000 and substantial reserves we can call upon if needed. 

## **Summary of income and expenditure for 2021** 

The table overleaf summarises the income and expenditure in 2021 and 2020, categorised by each source of income and its associated costs, with further detail on each set out in the narrative below the table. 

## **Income** 

The CBKA derives its income from the following sources: 

**1. Members’ subscriptions and donations** : The largest source of the CBKA’s income is subscriptions and donations. The total received from members, including amounts they paid for additional BDI insurance, the Beekeepers’ Quarterly journal and donations towards research, was c. £16,500, down slightly from the previous year. With membership rates maintained at the same level as 2020, this reflected a reduction of 69 in the number of Ordinary members, primarily because there were no new members from a Beginners’ Course this year, partly offset by an increase of 141 in Associate members, many of whom joined in appreciation of the online talks programme. 

**2. Educational activities** : The second largest source of income for the CBKA 

is its educational activities, comprising: 

   - The Beginners’ Course 

   - The Improvers’ Course 

   - The One-Day Seminar 

   - Other events, such as the Bee Disease Day, the annual coach trip and the Annual Dinner. 

**23** 



|1<br>From / on<br>behalf of<br>members<br>2<br>Educational<br>activities<br>3<br>The sale of<br>products<br>4<br>Other income,<br>including<br>GiftAid<br>5<br>Running the<br>Association’s<br>apiaries<br>6<br>Running the<br>Association<br>7<br>Grants to<br>research or-<br>ganisations|2021<br>2020|
|---|---|
||Inc.<br>Exp.<br>Net inc.<br>Inc.<br>Exp.<br>Net inc.<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>16,447<br>(9,977)<br>6,470<br>17,019<br>(11,388)<br>5,631<br>–<br>(2,129)<br>(2,129)<br>7,288<br>(5,827)<br>1,461<br>4,187<br>(655)<br>3,532<br>1,329<br>(36)<br>1,293<br>3,173<br>-<br>3,173<br>4,514<br>-<br>4,514<br>-<br>(2,795)<br>(2,795)<br>-<br>(2,470)<br>(2,470)<br>-<br>(2,240)<br>(2,240)<br>-<br>(2,243)<br>(2,243)<br>-<br>(1,000)<br>(1,000)<br>-<br>(1,000)<br>(1,000)|
||23,807<br>(18,796)<br>5,011<br>30,150<br>(22,694)<br>7,186|



It is very regrettable that none of these could take place in 2021; not from a financial perspective, but because of the impact on the next generation of beekeepers. I very much hope that we will be able to resume this side of our activities during 2022. A successful “taster” course for prospective beekeepers was held in September and, as I write, the 90 places on the 2022 Beginners’ Course are nearly fully subscribed; it would be a shame if we had to defer once again. 

## **3. The sale of products** 

It was with great satisfaction that we were able to attend some events as Covid-19 restrictions were eased over the summer. In addition to the sale of honey at these events, the Association also sold some bulk honey to several members. 

**24** 



## **4. Other income** 

The CBKA received c. £3,100 in GiftAid, a decrease on 2020 due to the lower membership subscriptions. GiftAid remains a very welcome supplement to the Association’s income, and effectively funds the dayto-day administrative costs of running the Association.  This enables the Committee to channel all of the income from members and the Association’s other activities into its charitable activities. I therefore encourage all members who are able to take advantage of GiftAid to do so on their membership renewal forms. 

In 2020, the Association received a very generous one-off donation of £1,000, which was used this year to purchase an apiary monitoring system. 

## **Expenditure** 

Expenditure during the year related to: 

## **1. On behalf of members** : 

The majority of the subscriptions paid by members is actually paid across to organisations such as the BBKA, BDI and Beekeepers’ Quarterly. These costs were c. £1,400 lower than 2020, reflecting the decrease in the number of Ordinary members noted above. 

## **2. Educational activities** 

Expenditure on educational activities normally relate primarily to room hire and speakers’ fees for the Beginners’ and Improvers’ Courses and our talks programme, together with the cost of the annual coach trip, Bee Disease Day and Annual Dinner. Total costs were significantly lower than in 2020, because no in-person events were held this year.  The talks programme was held exclusively online in 2021, and the cost of Zoom licences and higher speakers’ fees meant that the overall cost of the talks programme in 2021 was c. £450 higher than in 2020. However, this was more than offset by the subscriptions of the additional Associate members who joined because of the successful talks programme. 

## **3. Products for sale** 

As we were able to attend some events this year, we made donations to those organisations hosting them and also purchased some members’ honey for sale at them. Last year’s costs were simply those of some labels and jars for the Association’s honey. 

**25** 



## **5. Running the Association’s apiaries** 

The total cost of running the Association’s apiaries at Bourn, Impington and Wandlebury, together with related capital expenditure, was down slightly on 2020. The most significant purchase was an apiary monitoring system for Impington, funded by a generous donation last year, and which will provide real-time information about three colonies. The Association’s apiary managers and their teams do a wonderful job of managing the apiaries and supporting the teaching and training that we do. I would like to thank them for all of their hard work in 2021. 

## **6. Running the Association** 

Half of the costs of running the Association are printing and postage, including this Yearbook. The other significant costs are insurance, and maintaining and improving the Association’s website as online activity continues to increase. 

## **7. Research grants** 

The CBKA donated the final £1,000 to the current “EARS” project.  The Committee is currently reviewing applications for research funding for 2022 and beyond. 

## **Reserves** 

The surplus for the year has increased the Association’s reserves to c. £76,000. The majority of the Association’s assets are held in cash, and the closing cash balance was c. £83,000. The Committee’s policy is to hold sufficient reserves to protect the Association from potential reductions in its future income, whilst also generating the initial funding that would be required to establish a centre of excellence for beekeeping in the Cambridge area. The level of reserves is reviewed regularly by the Committee to ensure that they are adequate, but not excessive, for the Association’s current and forecast activities, whilst noting that the costs of a centre of excellence cannot be estimated reliably until a suitable location has been identified and additional funding may be required in future to realise this longer-term ambition. 

## **Outlook for 2022** 

The Association’s budget for 2022 indicates that the recent level of income will be maintained because: 

We plan to run the Beginners’ Course and the Improvers’ Courses this year, 

**26** 



although it was not possible to commit to holding the One-Day Seminar in the spring; 

The number of members is expected to increase compared to 2021, because there will be new members joining for the Beginners’ Course in 2021; and 

We hope that more shows will be held this year, including the Annual Honey Show after a two year hiatus. 

Even if these activities do not turn out to be possible, the Association is fortunate that it has sufficient reserves to enable it to fulfil its charitable objectives for the foreseeable future. 

Peter Connor, CBKA Treasurer 

**27** 



## **CBKA contacts** 

**Chairman** : Paul Schofield 01487 740724 _jpaul.schofield@cbka.org.uk_ **Vice-Chairman** : Doug Brown 01480 214640 _doug.brown@cbka.org.uk_ 

**Secretary** : Susan Wilkie _susan.wilkie@cbka.org.uk_ **Treasurer** : Peter Connor _peter.connor@cbka.org.uk_ **Membership Secretary** : Liz Cox 

_liz.cox@cbka.org.uk_ 

**Editor** : Peter Bates 01799 530537 33 Frogge Street, Ickleton cb10 1sh _peter.bates@cbka.org.uk_ 

|**Editor**: Peter Bates<br>33|01799 530537<br>Frogge Street, Ickleton cb10 1sh<br>_peter.bates@cbka.org.uk_|
|---|---|
|**Committee**||
|David Abson|01223 834620|
|Stephen Poyser|01223 840370|
|Sally Knowles|_sally.knowles@cbka.org.uk_|
|Philip Turon|_philip.turon@cbka.org.uk_|
|Martin Kendall|_martin.kendall@cbka.org.uk_|



|**Apiary Manager (Impington)**:|
|---|
|Bill Block<br>01223 311715|
|Roy Cross<br>01223 514424|
|**Apiary Manager (Wandlebury)**:|
|Stephen Poyser<br>01223 840370<br>**Apiary Manager (Bourn)**:<br>Colin Bell<br>01480 880665;_colingb50@gmail.com_<br>**Asian Hornet Coordinator**:<br>Lesley Fletcher<br>01223 782199<br>_asianhornet@cbka.org.uk_<br>**Beginners’ Course Coordinator**:<br>Stephen Poyser<br>01223 840370<br>**Education Secretary**:<br>Barny Henderson<br>_barny@henderson1.plus.com_<br>**Event & Helper Coordinator**:<br>Hazel Bickle<br>07753 253623|
|_hazel.bickle@cbka.org.uk_|



**External Talks Coordinator** : Paul Schofield 01487 740724 _jpaul.schofield@cbka.org.uk_ 

## **Honey Show** 

**Secretary** : Hamish Symington 07815 081282 _honeyshow@cbka.org.uk_ **Logistics and volunteers** : Pam Fearn 01799 531916 **Librarian** : Alison Goodfellow 01954 210650 _lal.goodfellow@cbka.org.uk_ 

|**One-Day Meeting and Talks Coordinators**:<br>David Abson<br>01223 834620<br>Sally Knowles<br>07803 031300<br>_sally.knowles@cbka.org.uk_<br>**Wandlebury Equipment Loan**:|
|---|
|Bill Clark<br>01223 212902|
|Stephen Poyser<br>01223 840370|
|**Webmaster**: Martin Kendall|
|_webmaster@cbka.org.uk_|



## **President** : Bill Clark 

**Vice Presidents** : MP for Cambridge City, MP for North-East Cambridgeshire, Director of the University Botanic Garden, the Bishop of Ely, the Chief Executive, Cambridge PPF. 

**National, Regional & Seasonal Bee Inspectors Head of National Bee Unit** : Julian Parker 0300 3030094; _julian.parker@apha.gov.uk_ **BeeBase Manager** : Adam Parker 

_adam.parker@apha.gov.uk_ 

**National Bee Inspector** : Dhonn Atkinson _dhonn.atkinson@apha.gov.uk_ **RBI** : Peter Davies 07900 292160 _peter.davies@apha.gov.uk_ 

**SBI (P’boro & Cambs)** : Jack Silberrad _07776 165869; jack.silberrad@apha.gov.uk_ **SBI (East Herts & Essex)** : David Burns 

07900 365721 **SBI (West Herts & Beds)** : Peter Folge 01438 816211 **SBI (Suffolk & Cambs)** : Ian Nichols 07557 178416 **For a full, up-to-date list of Bee Inspectors, look at BeeBase** : **http://tinyurl.com/cxzr8bu** 

**28** 



FOUNDED 1881 . REG CIIAAM 1183601
CAMBRIDGESHIRE BEEKEEPERS, ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

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122.9$4J
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