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The Bucks County Spring Seminar - 2021

Saturday, 13th February
The 25th Annual Spring Seminar

Things were a little differently that year, but we still managed to have our virtual Spring Seminar. So, whilst people needed to provide their own ploughman’s lunch, we had some fabulous speakers and sessions. In addition to the speakers there we still had break-out chat rooms, surveys and polls, and a raffle.

Raffle Prizes included...

£50 Thorne’s Voucher
CO2 Varroa Tester (see it here)
Interactive solitary beehouse
Book: “Interviews with Beekeepers” by Steve Donohue
…and still more beekeeping books

We had presentations from...

Speaker: Graham Royal
Topic: Skyscraper Beekeeping
Start time: 10:10

Graham started beekeeping in 1988 and started to study for the BBKA examinations in 1995 when he decided he wanted to know a lot more about the bees he was keeping.

His studies resulted in achieving the BBKA Master Beekeeper certificate in 2002 and the National Diploma in Beekeeping in 2004. He was also awarded the Wax Chandler’s prize in 2002. Graham currently manages 20 colonies in three apiaries.

In 2015 he joined the National Bee Unit as a Seasonal Bee Inspector covering Cheshire. Earlier this year he was appointed as Regional Bee Inspector for the Northern region where he manages a team of four seasonal inspectors covering Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and Northumberland.

Speaker: Shona Blair
Topic: The Medicinal Effects of Honey
Start time 12:40

Shona is an Australian microbiologist who has spent many years doing research into the medicinal properties of honey, particularly the antimicrobial and wound-healing properties of Australian and New Zealand honeys, including manuka.

Her research led to her involvement in the New South Wales Apiarists Association (NSWAA), the commercial beekeepers’ body in her home state, and the largest in Australia, where she was the first non-beekeeping and female board member, and she even took up the role as vice president before moving to the UK.

Now Head of Research Strategy at the Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Shona still maintains a keen interest in honey research. Shona is also the Bee Patron of Kairos Community,  an organisation helping those with drug and alcohol problems though a number of programmes, including beekeeping.

Speaker: Sarah Wyndham Lewis
Topic: Planting for Honey Bees
Start time 13:55

A professional writer and Bologna-trained Honey Sommelier, Sarah is a columnist for a leading beekeeping magazine, trains chefs and bartenders and runs raw honey tastings for food and drinks industry professionals.
She also runs tastings and workshops for clients including Petersham Nurseries, Lambeth Palace, Cookery School and Hiver Beers.

Her most recent book, ‘Planting for Honeybees’, is published worldwide by Quadrille. Sarah is a (Guild of Fine Foods) Great Taste Awards judge and co-ordinator trainer.

Programme for the day

9:45

Virtual “doors” open

10:00

Welcome & introduction – Sean, Chairman BCBKA
1st raffle prize announced

First presentation

10:10

Skyscraper beekeeping – Graham Royle
2nd raffle prize announced

11:10

Short break

Breakout sessions

11:20

Breakout sessions into 1 of 8 streams
for topic-based conversation

12:00

3rd raffle prize announced

Lunch

12:10

Break for lunch

Second presentation

12.40

Medicinal effects of honey – Shona Blair
4th raffle prize announced

BCBKA Survey

13.40

A BCBKA Survey to gather a current view of
beekeeping in the Bucks county

Third presentation

13.55

Planting for Honeybees – Sarah Wyndham Lewis
5th raffle prize announced

Summary & Close

14:55

Summary and Close
6th raffle prize announced