KILLINCHY and District Beekeepers Association is still buzzing even in the heart of winter!
The local bee-keeping group has recently been awarded the title of best association within the Ulster Beekeeper’s Association.
Bee-keeping is an important aspect of our environment as bees are significant pollinators or many plants and help maintain biodiversity… and they  also provide delocious honey!
Ken Tait, Association spokesperson said: “In getting into the festive spirirt to celebrate, we have organised a ‘Bee Social’ event, where we have a get-together to chat and relax together about things other than bees and  beekeeping over a finger buffet and selection of mulled wine and driver’s alternatives.
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Beekeepers prepare for the coming season.[/caption]
“We will also be delivering to our members who are interested, a demonstration of the application of oxalic acid in support of your integrated pest management system, and distributing their pre-ordered supplies.”
The event is to take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 11 December at Andrew’s Primary School, 4 Ballygowan Road, Comber.
There is also a Christmas Choir evening in the school from 7pm-8pm free of charge, to add to the festive feel of the occasion.
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Fancy becoming a beekeeper? Curious about Honeybees?
Killinchy and District beekeeper’s Association are running their 2014 PRELIMINARY BEEKEEPING COURSE, to be held over ten weeks with eight classroom sessions and two apiary sessions at their great new training apiary.
The course, set to start on Tuesday 11 February at 7.30pm, and will be conducted by Phelim Breen, assisted by other experienced beekeepers from the association. It will lead to an exam administered by CAFRE and FIBKA  (Federation of Irish Beekeepers).
Ken Tait said: “This course is designed to introduce people to the wonderful world of the honeybee, and will show them how to carry out the basics of beekeeping, from constructing a hive, to learning how to start beekeeping, and we hope to assist new beekeepers through their first steps in beekeeping with a support and mentoring programme once they have completed the course and obtained bees.
“We are also intent on assisting the new beekeepers to locate their first colony of bees from a reputable source.
“Successful candidates will be awarded a Preliminary Certificate of Proficiency in Beekeeping, which can be counted towards part of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.”
Those interested should visit the UBKA website (ubka.org) –
Information – Education, and follow the guidance, or contact the secretary at:
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