December 2024 / January 2025
Members of West Dorset Beekeeping Association have been meeting for an astonishing 134 years to share their craft.
The charity draws its members from across West Dorset and provides free advice and support on all bee-related matters to members and the general public. In the spring and summer, members of the association are regularly called on to collect swarms and identify bee colonies that appear in local gardens. It’s surprising where they choose to settle – air bricks, post boxes, nest boxes, compost bins and chimneys are all popular.
The main annual showcase for WDBKA is the bee marquee at the Melplash Show. It hosts a hotly contested honey show with an interesting array of exhibits. The observation hives offer visitors a safe glimpse into the heart of a colony and additional information points help to promote awareness of biodiversity and the vital role of all pollinators. The show also celebrates the true value of local honey and its provenance, offering taste tests using cheap supermarket honey alongside honey from the club’s colonies to illustrate the difference between the two.
The association has its own teaching apiary in Netherbury. Student beekeepers help to look after the bees, and the honey harvest is sold to raise funds to maintain the colonies and provide equipment. Both full members and friends of the association are free to visit when the apiary is open, and beesuits are available to borrow – in fact, everything is provided except for wellingtons and a pair of rubber gloves! A monthly email newsletter keeps everyone informed about the club’s events.
This year WDBKA has been raising awareness of the imminent threat of the Asian hornet and the devastating impact it can have on all insects, not just honey bees. Chairman Peter Crabbe is also the Asian hornet co-ordinator and is very happy to visit interested groups to talk about the Asian hornet. Peter can also help with monitoring this invasive pest and is available by email at asianhornet@westdorsetbees.org.uk.
A key part of the club is the promotion and sharing of knowledge. Good beekeepers never stop learning and the bees always have something new to share. The WDBKA annual course for new beekeepers is a popular, cost- effective route into beekeeping. Student feedback is always very complimentary and praises the enthusiasm and commitment of the tutor team as well as the high level of enjoyment the sessions bring.
Sally Boxall
WDBKA’s next course starts on Tuesday 4 February and comprises seven evening theory meetings at the Christian Fellowship Hall followed by three tutored sessions in the club apiary. For details visit www.westdorsetbees.org.uk or contact Carole Brown at secwestdorsetbees@gmail.com or 01308 456210. You can also keep up to date with the club’s activities on Facebook.