Month: June 2021

Items for the newsletter

If you have any stories, pictures or information that you would like included in the newsletter, or if you have items for sale or wish to comment on the content of previous newsletters, please send to: ssbka-mail@southstaffsbeekeepers.com and make
the subject “Item for the newsletter”.

‘My Apiary’ – Dave Rawsthorne

Last summer Barry Crossley made the great suggestion that we show each other pictures of our hives and apiaries in the Newsletter and we have featured some members’ apiaries in subsequent editions.

We have had lots of enthusiastic comments from members wanting to see more views of apiaries and the sort of places we keep our bees. So as we all love to see how the other half keep their bees here is another members’ apiary for you to admire.

Thanks to long time club member David Rawsthorne, for sharing his apiary with us.
Dave’s hives are formed into an ark in a beautiful location at the edge of a wooded area.

The hives are part of a research project into bee behaviour and some have had sensors fitted to provide information on temperature and how many times the bees leave and return to the hive when foraging.

All very interesting and we will reveal more about the research and its findings in a future edition of the Newsletter.

Want to share a photograph of your hives or apiary with your fellow beekeepers?
Send your apiary images to agreenman219@gmail.com for inclusion in the next newsletter.

We come second…

Jo (top left) , Stuart (top right) & Marie (bottom left)

At the BBKA online bee quiz held as part of the online Spring Convention, the Club team of Stuart, Jo and Marie came second to Warwick and Leamington beating North Shropshire into 3rd place. Well done team, an excellent effort.

Nuc of bees for sale


I have a few nucs for sale again if anyone is after one, national and 14×12. All with home bred queens. £120 for a national or £140 for a 14 x12 to SSBKA members.

For more information or to buy a nuc ring John on: 07413 755476

Garden Party at ‘The Mount’

‘The Mount’, Cresswell, Stafford, ST189QS.

Please come along and have a wander round the beautiful garden, perhaps buy some plants and definitely eat some cake.

All proceeds go to The Katherine House Hospice.

Tickets are £5 per person which entitles you to a piece of cake and all seating is undercover.

Due to continuation of lockdown, we will open from Monday 12th July to Sunday 18th July.

Session times are 10.00 – 12 noon, 1.00pm to 3.00pm and 3.00pm – 5.00pm. We just ask you to book your day and time slot in advance.

For more information and the latest on the event, please phone Chris Williams on: 07775606834 or email r.cwilliams@icloud.com