Wasn't it good to see so many people turn out for the AGM last month, a meeting that does not usually attract a large audience, perhaps it had something to do with the honey tasting session at the end. If that's all that is required to get folks there then we must try something similar in future. The main points from the AGM are:

1, The subs to go up to £20-00.
2, Vera stays in the Chair, Roger Chapple stays as Vice Chair for another year.
3, Sal Mancina takes over as Librarian.
4, Unal Metti to take over the equipment hire.
5, All other Officers remain as before.

We welcome Sal to the position of Librarian for we need all the 'new blood' we can get to help in the running of the Association. If you feel you could help in the future, or that you have some particular expertise to offer, do say so, do offer to help for no association can run without the direct assistance of its members. The increased subscriptions are the result of both YBKA and BBKA increasing their capitations. But talking of 'new blood', it's good to see and to welcome so many new members, we have several. We wish them well with their new found pastime and look forward to them joining in our various activities. I feel sure they will be welcome and get all the help they ask for.

There can be no doubt that we missed having Rob Wigin at the AGM this year; several members spoke highly of him and when the meeting was over others expressed to me their surprise at the turn of events. Your Association sent a donation to the 'charity of his choice' and Rob's wife, Gill, told me that she sent it on to the National Trust, Rob's favourite charity and at the same time expressed her sincere thanks for the gift. I have received a 'thank you' letter from the National Trust that I have passed on to our Treasurer.
One of our ladies has anonymously penned the following delightful tribute to Rob:-

You cared for us through thick and thin
In seasons bad and good
You gave us medication
And we think you understood

To think that going to fetch us home
Would end in such disaster
Each one of us in every hive
Salutes you Rob "Our Master"

Meanwhile someone else may come
And help us ease our sorrow
To us Rob, you'll always be
The "hardest act to follow"
Anon.

I can only say "Amen" to that, we shall always remember him.

The straps which we use on our hives when moving them are quite expensive. Vera has sent me a little note to tell us where we can obtain similar ones cheaply, I quote:
"Straps for beehives can be bought from 'Everything a £1'. Ivan turned up to move Mrs Barnes bees with some and I was very impressed, they are about 1½" to 2" wide and made out a strong nylon material. They have a ratchet type of fastener which is easy to use. For £1 they certainly are a bargain and don't know how long they will have them. The shop faces M&S in Middlesbrough but Ivan bought his in Redcar so they probably have them in any town. Perhaps you could let people know as we are using them this year to stop the roofs blowing off our hives as they can do in exposed places".
It's contributions like that that I wish I could have more of, something to help fill these empty pages, for there is nothing worse than staring at a blank screen each month and saying to myself "what am I going to tell them this time".

I've been asked by Rob Andrews to remind folks that it's 'paying up time' for the borage. Anyone who has not yet paid is reminded that the cost is £5-00 per hive. Please pay Rob, not the Association.

There's no doubt that once it started to rain this autumn it did not know when to stop. Everywhere is now well and truly flooded. It's important that your hives are not absorbing water and it helps by ensuring that they are not under the drip from trees (it rains twice under trees) and that once the rain has ceased the sides can dry out quickly from the circulation of fresh air. Stale, damp air pockets create damp within the hive and cause the outer frames to go mouldy and very smelly. I like to raise the crown board by inserting a matchstick under each corner, thus causing a small flow of air through the boxes. I also have some very deep roofs that will cover a brood box and a super. Not only do they keep out water but they also help to insulate the hive from wind and cold. There is nothing we can do for our bees at this time of the year, it's far too late to feed sugar solution now. If you feel your bees may be starving try giving them a bag of sugar, yes a bag. Simply dunk a bag in water few seconds, then make hole about as big as a finger hole in one side and lay it hole side down over a gap on top of the brood frames. You'll need to add an empty super, then the crown board. If they are starving, they may just start to feed on the sugar, but don't be surprised if you find that they simply throw it out of the entrance instead. It's very much a touch and go method that sometimes works. My bees are still bringing home pollen, a clear indication that they have brood to feed. The pollen is a very light lemon colour and the loads are not very large, but I have no idea exactly what it is. It's just good to see it coming in.

What an excellent turn out we had at the joint meeting at Gilling. It was particularly good to see so many from Cleveland. Everyone I have spoken to said how they enjoyed the talk. It may have been a semi-advertising evening, but there was a lot to learn. Few had any idea just what is being done in the name of bee disease research or that it was being done in such diverse places. From the particularly low ebb of the early 1990's we can perhaps look forward with renewed confidence to a system of new treatments for established diseases based upon reliable scientific preparations that truly work. What a delightful buffet the ladies prepared for us too, a special 'thank you' must go to them. I picked up our speaker from Teesside airport and took him back to his hotel for the night and he told me how very pleased he was at such a large turnout. Thank you all for attending, it makes the effort worthwhile.

Talking of joint meetings, it's only a little over two weeks to December the 4th and the joint meeting at Houghall College, Durham. Please can all the folks who came to Gilling, and many more too, come to Houghall,. I have received the following note from Judy Wilkinson, our quizmaster, regarding the quiz:
"Quiz to be more of a pub quiz, with a variety of rounds, covering not only beekeeping but also country life, horticulture, word puzzles and one frankly just plain daft round inviting creativity from contestants. I hope that everyone present will take part, rather than teams and spectators, but it will not be compulsory. How could it be?!" I'm looking forward to it. As before car sharing is possible, I can take at least three people.

After several years meeting at Ormesby we have to move on to a new venue. Lingfield Farm Countryside Centre is a new building situated in a pleasant area and not too far away from Ormesby. It is exactly the right sort of establishment for our meetings, it's in the centre of our catchment area and hopefully a place where we can continue to meet for many years to come.
We now have the order forms and prices for the foundation, jars etc. Many of you failed to get them back in time last year and hence failed to take advantage of the bulk buying scheme. It is essential that the orders be placed with Kevin and money paid by the end of this year - there will be no second chance, only one order can be placed each year at these prices. Note that Cheques are to made payable to L.G.B.S.

I'm told that Alan Johnston is leaving us to take up another job near his home in York. It's always sad when anyone leaves, though I understand he wishes to remain an Associate Member. We wish him well in his new position and if he ever wishes to attend any of our meetings he will be more than welcome.

I understand that the Yorkshire BKA Conference held last week in York has decided to oppose the BBKA's proposed increase of £2-50 in the capitation. We just have to hope that BBKA can stop spending money as though it's going out of fashion and hence avoid such a large increase.
I am also told that our very own Vera Rider is now Secretary of YBKA.

Two dates for your diaries, write them down while they are fresh in your mind;
April the 27th The Bishop Burton Conference, it will cost £27-00 with the meal.
April the 5th The Kirkley Conference, it will cost £27-50 with the meal, or £22-50 if you've not been for the last two years, or £15-00 if you are a completely new beekeeper, or £15-00 if you are under 18 years.

Finally, don't forget to bring what you like best with you for our 16th of December social gathering.

It's now Friday morning (15th) and I was just about to print the copies of the Newsletter when I heard from Alan Jefferson that he and the family have won several prizes at the National Honey show, congratulations Alan - more details next month.

Kindest regards to you all,
Bryan Hateley