OKEHAMPTON Beekeepers' first meeting for July took place at the Apiary of Andrew and Ruth Stainer-Smith on the northern fringes of Dartmoor.

This was unusual, reported the group, as Andrew and Ruth kept their bees at an 'Out-Apiary' field some three quarters of a mile distant from their house, situated some 400 yards up a steep and in some places un-surfaced track.

Some 15 to 20 members attended this meeting, with the more intrepid making the ascent to the apiary on foot. Others, had lifts in 4x4s or on the back of Andrew's quad bike.

The Apiary held six colonies, very well laid out on substantial hive stands made from blocks and railway sleepers, three hives to a stand. Hive inspections were performed by Janet Grist and Andrew (who was only using a light veil and no gloves) and Will Pyne.

Weather conditions were ideal, but notwithstanding these bees were remarkably easy to handle with an excellent temperament. The bees were calm and placid on removed frames, making queens easy to find and mark. This was a real beekeeping treat, said group members.

Brood inspections showed excellent pattern with continuous sheets of sealed brood, surrounded by larvae and eggs, indicating that queens were well mated, healthy and laying prolifically. Several hives already had substantial loads of nectar in the supers, promising a good honey crop later this summer.

A frame of bees taken from a particularly strong colony was shaken into a nucleus box with a virgin queen to create a new colony to pass on these good characteristics to the next generation. Small (1/2 width) frames of foundation for a mating hive were placed in a box above the brood chamber to be drawn out to comb. These are to be used in Ruth and Andrew's queen breeding programme.

Inspections were completed at around 4.30pm and the meeting adjourned to Andrew and Ruth's for refreshments to enjoy a 'Bring and Share' tea.

The next meeting is scheduled for July 23 and will be at Will and Kay Pyne's apiary at Sticklepath.