this is where our bees will live.

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this is where our bees will live.
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Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 11:29 am Post subject: this is where our bees will live.

This is the edge of an arable field that some farming friends have kindly said we can put a hive or two on. The pond is a natural one and it has the most beautiful clear water. I was taken there this morning so I could see exactly where to site our hives. Behind the picture is a small copice of cricket bat willow for shelter from the east.

Very excited - it really is an idylic spot.

not one of my children by the way.

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 11:51 am Post subject:
Excellent site. When do you get your bees?

Penny Outskirts

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 23385
Location: Planet, not on the....

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 12:04 pm Post subject:
That looks like a wonderful spot Mrs F - is it a long way from home?

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 12:09 pm Post subject:
bees will come in the spring. We need time to get the hive sourced (working on at the moment) and sited. Its about 4-5miles from home so not far, but far enough not to trouble anyone which is why we're not having bees in our garden or up the plot. It's well off the beaten track; we drive along the edge of another field to get to it.

Bernie66

Joined: 14 Jan 2005
Posts: 13967
Location: Eastoft

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 12:13 pm Post subject:
It looks a heavenly spot of countryside

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 1:28 pm Post subject:
Make sure you site the hives out of sight from the road & in a spot where they get maximum sunshine. The quicker the colony warms up the more nectar they will gather. Good luck.

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 1:33 pm Post subject:
its well away from the road so we're quite safe. Its quite an open spot but that gives us ample chance to face the hives in to the sunshine; we're not restricted by direction.

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 2:41 pm Post subject:
Julie Our apairy, North Devon Beekeepers, have their own shop Bitz4bees, and they sell hives and all the bits and pieces. If you want the number I can give it to you.

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 2:52 pm Post subject:

alison wrote:

Julie

Our apairy, North Devon Beekeepers, have their own shop Bitz4bees, and they sell hives and all the bits and pieces. If you want the number I can give it to you.

yes please. We've seen the prices of new hives..

so if there are reconditioned ones going we would be very interested.

We're trying to get in contact with our local bee keeping association, but our first e-mail hasn't been replied to. Will try contacting them another way.

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 4:29 pm Post subject:
Bitz4bees - The couple who run it are Jean and David, and the number is 01237 475705 All the hives are new made for the club in a members workshop. They also have Thornes catalogue stuff, ,slightly cheaper, as the group discount is passed on to the membership

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 4:35 pm Post subject:
thanx Ali. We've realised that Thornes have a shop in Windsor which isn't that difficult for us to get to so we're also hoping to drop hints to the rellies for Thornes gift vouchers.

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 4:49 pm Post subject:
I would always go for second hand. You can kit out for 4 or 5 hives what one new would cost. I always use new frames & wax but the insides of a second hand hive can be sterilised easily with a blowtorch. I have seen good hives go for �20.00 on e-bay, thats a big difference to �200.00 plus for a new one. What type are you thinking of getting?

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 4:55 pm Post subject:
My MIL lives about 2 miles from Thornes in Windsor. Trouble is, next time we are down there they are shut for Christmas shut down

hedgewitch

Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Posts: 5834
Location: Daft wench GHQ

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 4:59 pm Post subject:

alison wrote:

My MIL lives about 2 miles from Thornes in Windsor.

Trouble is, next time we are down there they are shut for Christmas shut down

Honestly, local shops, eh?

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 06 5:05 pm Post subject:
National. Wanted something that would be easy to get spares/frames for. WBC looks pretty but....

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