Honey contest proving popular
Things can get a bit sticky at the Pakowhai Hall each month and for a very good reason.
The Hawke’s Bay Beekeepers Incorporated, established in October 2018, meets on the first Thursday of each month, and has recently held its second honey competition, judged by Alessandro Tarentini and Arataki’s John Berry.
You don’t have to be a member to enter the annual competition, but membership gives you access to a number of advantages, including training opportunities, equipment hire, information about trees for bees and hive inspection field days. There’s even club apiary sites for those unable to keep a hive in town, but are interested in having a hive of their own.
Club president Brian Cowper says membership has gone from strength to strength.
“The club was created to connect hobby beekeepers with a reliable resource network of established local beekeepers and help those interested in beekeeping know what their obligations are, what local body regulations apply to them and ensuring that even those with one hive maintain a healthy and thriving bee population in the Bay.”
The club recently put together options for those discovering AFB (American Foul Brood) to safely have contaminated hives wrapped and removed for burning.
“We want people to do the right thing when they discover AFB, especially when there’s a fire ban and we can help with that,” says club treasurer, David Hills. Brian agrees.
“The last thing we want to see is people giving away old equipment if they find their bees have ‘gone’. We can offer advice and referral to accredited inspectors.”
If anyone is in doubt about the health of their backyard hive they only need to get in touch with the club, or show up to a meeting on the first Thursday of each month at 7pm — the next meeting is March 26.
The winner of the latest competition was Marama Te Hata, with club secretary and committee member, Sara Keesing and Deborah Burnside taking out second and third places respectively. Marama won a complete hive donated by Farmlands Whakatu¯ , presented by manager
Aidan Fredericksen on the night.