The Carlisle Beekeepers Association was established in 1931 to promote beekeeping, bee health, and to help beekeepers through the dissemination of information and the purchase of equipment. Today our aims are much the same as they were then. We currently have around 50 members from north Cumbria and southern Scotland, and hold regular meetings and training courses to help develop beekeeping in the Carlisle area.

Objectives of Carlisle Association

• The improvement of beekeeping in the county.
• Education and training of beekeepers.
• Public relations and education.
• The control of disease and disorders of honeybees.

Meetings & Membership

Carlisle Beekeepers Association has a series of winter meetings in Houghton Village Hall, regular apiary days at the Walby apiary, plus the association attends a variety agricultural and flower shows.

Membership of Carlisle Beekeepers Association is open to anyone subscribing to the aims and constitution of the association.

Walby Apiary

Carlisle Beekeepers Association has a teaching apiary with working examples of all the main types of hive, a meeting room, and a well resourced workshop.

Meetings are held at the apiary every two weeks from early April through to the end of September. The apiary is used for teaching, raising queens and for club meetings.

Association Equipment & Library

Carlisle Beekeepers Association has a a number of extractors and other beekeeping equipment which can be lent out to members. The association also has library of beekeeping books and videos which can again be borrowed by current members.

Carlisle Beekeepers Information Leaflet

Click on the link to download the current information leaflet:

Carlisle Beekeepers Association ~ information leaflet

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Snowdrop ~ Walter McPhee

Chairman's Letter ~ February 2010

Since the previous newsletter the annual dinner has taken place at Cumbria Cottage Tea Room, Hayton. It seems to have been a success, the food and friendly service was praised by most if not all of those attending.

At a committee meeting last night, Bee Disease Insurance was discussed at some length. It’s quite complicated because we as a group have either all got to be covered or not at all. Our members with bees in Scotland, of which there are quite a few, would not be covered, which is not logical. So, we at Carlisle BKA need to discuss amongst ourselves and get a consensus on which road to go down. It does not cover bee replacement or hive boxes so the best thing is to discuss it with committee members who have all the details of BDI.

On 19 June Carlisle BKA is organising a ‘Disease Day’ on behalf of Cumbria BKA at Houghton Village Hall. It will be advertised county wide and Peter Matthews has kindly agreed to be the organiser. He will, of course, need help so be prepared. It will consist of a series of workshops run by various experts and there will be refreshments available.

Also up for discussion were the 3 shows at which Carlisle BKA have a stand. It was pleasing to see that volunteers for the shows came forward readily and we would like to encourage any new members to visit the stands. They will receive a warm welcome. The 3 shows are, Carlisle Spring Show, Sunday 2nd and Monday 3 rd May, the Cumberland Show on Saturday 17 th July and the Dalston Show on Saturday 7 th August..

The Peter Harris hive was won with a very generous sealed bid of £500 by Angela Addison and family. The £500 has been received by Hospice at Home with a letter of much gratitude from them.

Our bees need to be checked for sufficient stores as egg laying should be under way and it is a critical time between now and the first nectar flow. Having come through the winter it would be a great pity to see them starve now!

Charlie Savage