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...
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.
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.
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 ofbeekeeping 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