Page 1 of My email to the British Bee keeping Association.

Dear Sir/Madam.

For a while I have been looking into taking up bee keeping. With this in mind I purchased the classic design WBC hive. A design that evokes memories of childhood summers staying in the countryside at aunty Margaret`s. Long days playing with Margaret in the meadow. The sun would shine down on her flowing white cotton dress. Silhouetting her slim but firm legs.

Memories for a young lad that may fade with the ravages of time, but never leave the minds eye.

On receiving the WBC hive I spent the summer busily collecting bees of all shapes and sizes and putting them into my hive. It was only recently that I noticed when I went to check on my collection that my bees had escaped. On closer inspection of the hive I think I have found a worrying design flaw. I have noticed at strategic points on the hive there are gaps big enough for my bees to escape. This has the effect of turning me in to a bee liberator, rather than the bee keeper I was aiming for. A sort of Schindler to Apis Mellifra kind as it were.


I write this mail as a warning to others and to offer a simple but practical solution to the problem. Expanding foam. As any practical man will tell you, expanding foam will solve a myriad of problems. From draughts to squirrels. Simply apply the foam to the gaps and let it do it`s work.

Now my hive is hermetically sealed and my bees won`t be able to escape. Making me the bee keeper I longed to be.

I hope you and your other clients find this advice helpful. Maybe you could run a master class on sealing hives. If you need any advice on this, please don`t hesitate to ask.

Yours sincerely,

Derrick Regal






"Talking`s for lesbians" Psycho Paul 2011.

Quote:
As any practical man will tell you, expanding foam will solve a myriad of problems. From draughts to squirrels. So do you bung every squirrels orifice`s with expanding foam ?

It depends on the problem.

I have had my first reply.

"Hello Derrick

Thank you for drawing this to our attention.

Letitia

Admin."

Not very exciting. But a thrill all the same.





"Talking`s for lesbians" Psycho Paul 2011.

Nearly spat my cup of tea out while reading that. It`s brilliant!

Thanks.

Derrick has responded.


"Salutations Letitia.


I must say, what a beautiful name. Does it mean anything?


In old English Derrick means "peoples ruler"  I have to laugh at this as I was head boy at boarding school.


Thank you for your prompt reply. I look forward to receiving your equally prompt findings and what action are to be taken on this matter.


Yours sincerely,


Derrick "peoples ruler" Regal."




"Talking`s for lesbians" Psycho Paul 2011.

This item was edited on Tuesday, 25th September 2012, 14:56

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Editor
DVD REVIEWER
MYREVIEWER.COM

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I am sensing the birth of a new game! One where we all, as a community, take on the alter ego of Derrick Regal and approach different organisations with our considered opinions and then post the findings here!

I like this game. However perhaps we need an alter ego each?


Editor
DVD REVIEWER
MYREVIEWER.COM

My Flickr Photostream

Derrick has moved up the food chain.



"Derrick


There seems to be some misunderstanding about beekeeping in your email.


The WBC hive was designed in 1891 as an improvement and standardisation of the hive designs at the time, it has served beekeepers well for over 100 years and is in wide and successful use.


The idea of a beehive is not to trap the bees but provide housing for the colony which will be at the peak of the summer some 60,000 bees.
Bees cannot be collected individually and put into a hive but have to be taken as a swarm or a stock obtained or purchased from another beekeeper and this colony consisting of one queen and many workers will build up the honeycomb on frames to rear the young bees and to store honey for the winter.
The young bees are fed on nectar and pollen from flowers and the honey is concentrated nectar to provide food for the colony when no flowers are available. To collect pollen and nectar the bees have to fly freely from the colony and will always return.


Keeping bees is far more than putting bees in a hive and is best learnt from a local beekeeping association where you can meet and learn from other beekeepers.


I have kept bees in WBC hives for many years and when correctly constructed and using the metal or plastic frame spacers a seal can be obtained between the boxes and in any case it is of no consequence if the bees can get out into the outer box as they will normally only leave from the exit. The major problem is not bees getting out but wasps getting in to rob the honey and a well fitting outer box is important with the correct wasp proof vents in the roof. 


Use of foam to fill the gaps has two main problems, firstly the solvent used may well be toxic to the bees and secondly the boxes will be fixed together and the frames immovable preventing correct and necessary inspection to see if the bees are healthy, queen right and have plenty of food.


 I would suggest that you read some books on beekeeping and contact your local association to learn the best route into beekeeping.


Regards


Julian Routh
Lead Trustee BBKA Education and Husbandry Committee"




"Talking`s for lesbians" Psycho Paul 2011.

Oh dear...you seem to have upset the poor man :)