News & Events
SWHBK Members' Meetings & Events​​​​​​​​​
03/12/25 Christmas quiz and social - Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club
​07/01/26 AGM and talk/practical session
14/01/26 Clare Densley and Martin Hann - Zoom talk 'Reading the colony'
February No meeting
04/03/26 Dan Basterfield - 'Preparation for a better season'
​Venue all meetings take place at Boldre War Memorial Hall, Pilley, SO41 5QG unless otherwise stated.
​For all BBKA talks available on YouTube click here.
November
Beekeeping apprenticeship
This month we were delighted to welcome Chloe Harvey from The Noble Bee. Simon Noble talking about taking on an apprentice for the newly established beekeeping apprenticeship scheme a couple of years ago. Chloe was taken on by Simon Noble as an apprentice on a national beekeeping apprenticeship scheme. She successfully completed this and was promoted to Operations Manager at The Noble Bee.
Memberships enjoyed listening to her sharing how she came to join The Noble Bee, her experience as an apprenticeship and the challenges and fun of working for a small commercial beekeeper. She kept everyone entertained and a big thank you from us to Chloe.
October
How nutrition affects colony health
​Master Beekeeper Pam Hunter gave us a talk on 'How nutrition affects colony health'. Members enjoyed her talk and found it very informative. Pam's expertise in the bee world and their environment was invaluable in helping members understand the synergy between bees and their local habitats. She happily went into a level of detail members were not used to. She certainly 'knew her stuff'.
Thank you Pam
September
Autumn Management
We welcomed back Clare Densley and Martin Hann from Buckfast Abbey Bees on Wednesday 3 September.
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They ran some excellent 'Inspection Coaching' sessions for members at the club apiary in the afternoon.
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This was followed by a great talk from them on 'Autumn Management' to members in the evening. Their talk was very informative as always. They gave us many useful tips on hive hygiene, feeding for autumn and colony management to name just a few topics.
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We were privileged to see an early copy of their new book - 'Beekeeping: A Practical Guide for Considerate Beekeepers' which is being launched at the end of September.​
