Cash boost will train Worcestershire beekeepers (From Worcester News)

Cash boost will train Worcestershire beekeepers

6:50pm Saturday 24th October 2009 in

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MEMBERS of Evesham Beekeeping Association were buzzing with excitement after being awarded £1,500 to establish a new apiary at Pershore College.

The money, which was awarded through the Cotswolds Conservation Board’s sustainable development fund, means the local beekeepers can afford to buy six new hives, along with training for new and existing members.

New beekeepers will be trained in the best practices of beekeeping, while a number of fresh projects will be set up for existing beekeepers.

They include queen rearing, to propagate for health and disease resistant strains of bees appropriate to local conditions, and a special disease recognition and treatment course overseen by Defra-registered bee inspectors.

Henry Dickinson,chairman of Evesham Beekeepers Association, said the new apiary will offer a number of benefits including new and better skilled members, and healthier bees.

He said: “Beekeeping is enormously popular at the moment and many local beekeeping courses are often over-subscribed.

“Ultimately this will enable us to develop new colonies of healthier honeybees.”