It is said that if you change your telephone number or your address you're sure to lose business and many businesses object strongly to such changes. However our change to a new address seemed to go without a hitch with everyone finding us even if the odd person had a bit of a struggle. It was good to see such a high turnout at the November meeting for I feared that the change of venue might cause people not to turn up. The main complaint seemed to be that it was not too warm in there but I understand the central heating will be turned on for future meetings. There could be problems if we have a large meeting any time for the room is not very big - perhaps the other rooms are larger. The meeting itself went very well with several ideas from the floor; I've said several times that we do not always need to ask speakers to come to us, that we can make a good night just on our own for most folks have some very good ideas to talk about, and we clearly do not talk enough. What's the point in engaging a speaker, sometimes at no small cost, to speak for an hour and then for us all to go home, we should surely spend some time discussing what he had to say as distinct from just asking questions. Also, what happened to the idea of a write up for the newspaper of each meeting?

Talking of speakers reminds me of the new programme for next year. You should all have copies of the programme by now and have the dates marked in your next years diaries. Several new speakers and new venues are listed and we must thank those folks most sincerely; I look forward to the New Year with considerable interest. There must be others amongst us who could manage the occasional talk or demonstration of some kind. To sustain interest we need more people offering a wider range of topics. I feel sure that with a little thought we have the talent somewhere. Future programmes will be in the hands of someone else, I said in the June Newsletter, when talking about the 2003 programme that "I wish to make it the last and am looking to someone else to take it over for future years". I've been a member of Cleveland Beekeepers for more than 25 years and from the very first meeting I attended I have held a position of responsibility, and for most of the time more than one. It's time for others to take over and for me to retire. I intend fulfilling the commitments I have already made, but I shall be very selective in the future . There's several months to go before the next programme has to be resolved, in the mean-time lets have some new ideas for 2004. I will do the artwork for the programme if necessary - that's the simple bit.

November has once more shown us what a wet grotty month it can be, being almost the wettest month on record, but at least there was no frost or early snow. It's at this time of the year when I can see the advantages of the deep covers I have to prevent the hives being continuously wet from rain. I have no idea whether the bees are warmer because of them but they are definitely drier than they would be with shallow roofs, and as I have said several times in the past 'It's damp that kills bees in the winter, not cold'. Bees could be seen flying on several of the more mild days, some bringing home small quantities of pollen. December has now turned colder but a little drier, maybe some of the water will drain away to enable some work to be done outside. Today (9th) has been quite sunny, so very different from what we have had for the past several weeks. There's no doubt that a little sunshine at this time of the year not only makes the bees feel better but makes us feel better too. In spite of the cold wind bees were flying at midday today. I notice that the first of the crocuses are through and the jasmine has been flowering for several weeks. Just a little over two weeks and the days start to lengthen again and before we know what's hit us we will be in the thick of it all again. How many of you are ready, how many of you have your frames cleaned ready to re-wax. There is no doubt some-one will be caught out at the last minute, just make sure it's not you.

With open mesh floors on each hive it is possible to see just where the body of the bees are (and I don't lie on the floor and look up) by the way they are uncapping their stores and the cappings then falling through the mesh and on to the ground. A line of debris builds up directly below the length of the brood frame they are working on. It tells me that the bees do work from one side and go across the brood frames in an orderly fashion. We are beginning to see dead bees just outside the entrances of each hive now; this is not a signal to panic, just the normal steady reduction in numbers during the winter months. Something like 50/60% of our bees die out during the winter and they are simply thrown out of the hive entrance. We go into winter with 50,000 or more live bees and end up at the end of March with about 12,000, an average death rate of about 180 per day, though most die between New Year and the end of March. If the colony is healthy there is then, in early spring, an almost frantic urge on the part of the bees to get out, collect pollen and begin breeding to build up the colony strength again ready for the eventual nectar flows.

Rob Andrews has sent me a little missive that I quote;
"Would you please put a note in the next newsletter thanking the members who took part in the Borage experiment for their support and that luckily the farmer only charged for the seed and not the sowing thus the refund of £1.65 per hive. Members who did not take hives have offered to pay but I did not like to keep the farmer waiting any longer for his money so the bill is now settled".
Other farmers are now talking about sowing Borage on set-aside but whether it will really happen remains to be seen, just watch this space.

While talking about watching spaces, how many of you have looked at the new Cleveland BKA Web Page, it's well worth having a look. We have to thank Sal Mancina for his effort and dedication in producing it, just type in http://www.teesbees.co.uk and the site will open automatically. It now means that we have a window to the world, folks can find us, ask questions, see what beekeeping is about and maybe consider joining us. Thank you Sal, I know it's a time consuming task but I also know Cleveland beekeepers have a greater identity from now on.

All of that assumes you have a 'computer' of some sort; a recent BBC (I think) survey said that some-thing like 75% of UK homes are fitted with one, though some are just gathering dust. I do not know which of you have an Email facility and least of all how many of you use it. I must confess that I am completely sold on the idea. It's extremely simple to use, messages are transferred in both directions very quickly, it's very cheap (not withstanding the fact that you must have a 'computer') and very reliable. I also find the technology very interesting, and sometimes frustrating, but it enables me to keep the 'grey matter' functioning in spite of advancing years. They are unquestionably a modern tool, that can be useful to beekeepers if only to help keep in touch with each other and to keep abreast of beekeeping experiences, not just in the UK, but world-wide.

What a wonderful turnout we had at Houghall College last week, probably the most we have ever had there. Judy did an excellent job as quiz master, I reckon she must have put many hours into the preparation of it all. Thank you Judy and Bill for I feel sure he will have helped too. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and though Cleveland only came 3rd in the final score, with Durham winning, we were only 4 points (I think) behind them. I spoke to several people afterwards, all who said they had enjoyed it and were pleased with the changed format. Pat and Ian Copinger did the catering and what a delightful spread they provided for us all; but we must take more people with us next year if only to avoid so much food being left over. I thank all of you who turned out on the night and I feel sure we all thank Pat and Ian for the excellent meal.

You should all by now have received your order forms for this year's bulk purchase of foundation, jars and Apistan. Please return them, with the full payment, to Kevin before the end of this year. It will not be possible to purchase items at these reduced prices later.

This is an early warning of an event due to take place next April and above all to determine who may be interested. Last month I mentioned the Kirkley Beekeeping Conference due to be held on Saturday the 5th of April 2003. There is to be a follow-up on the next day with an excursion to see the Wild White Cattle of Chillingham and to visit Chainbridge Honey Farm. The wild white cattle are unique survivors of the prehistoric forest cattle of Northern Europe and dangerous to approach. We will therefore be in the care of the fully insured resident ranger who will also give a short talk on the history of the herd. The visit involves a three-quarter mile walk along a muddy track, so wellies will be needed. Lunch will be taken at Chainbridge Honey Farm, Horncliffe, near Berwick and is included in the cost. It will be followed by a guided tour of the premises with the owner, Mr Willie Robson or one of his senior staff. Mr Robson (Willie), who recently played host to Her Majesty the Queen, is renowned for his ingenuity in adapting redundant industrial equipment to the purposes of honey extraction and the manufacture of hive products. Departure from Kirkley will be at 9.00 a.m. sharp, returning by 5.30 p.m. The cost will be around £16.50 per head. Cost may vary slightly depending upon the final numbers attending. Will anyone wishing to go please let me know by mid January.

By the time you are reading this there will only be about a week to go to Christmas. It's time to be asking Santa for the beekeeping present you have always wanted. Try sitting down with a new Thornes catalogue and clearly mark all the items you have always wished for, then just leave it lying about and hope that Santa falls over it as he come down that chimney - you never know your luck. I just hope he brings you everything you wish for.

Have a super Christmas and a very Happy New Year and may 2003 be your best beekeeping year ever.

Kindest regards to you all,
Bryan Hateley