Weekend of beekeeping at Dromore

On the previous Saturday Preliminary Beekeeping examinations were held all over Ireland, including at eight examination centres in Northern Ireland. In the Dromore Association apiary candidates from the Rostrevor and Warrenpoint class joined those from the Dromore class to be examined.

The guest speaker at the Dromore meeting, who also conducted the workshops, was Megan Seymour, a Bee inspector from The National Bee Unit in Yorkshire.

Megan delivered a lecture on Brood diseases of bees and the workshops in the Dromore Apiary, the following day were well and enthusiastically attended.

The Dromore Association presented her with a Sterling silver honey spoon, handmade by Hugh Gillespie of Hillsborough.

The Ulster Beekeepers’ Association got some extra benefit from Megan’s visit to Dromore as it arranged for her to conduct further workshops in Belfast and Roe Valley.

Vanessa Drew, a Dromore BKA committee member hosted Megan for her visit and transported her to the various apiaries.

Many are surprised that beekeepers study for examinations and attend lectures and workshops but most people appreciate that the honeybee is under threat from disease, changes to the environment and climate changes and so, progressive Beekeeping associations conduct an education programme for the benefit of their members.