As mentioned in the Editorial, here are a couple of suggestions for your spare time in winter:
1. Have a look at this – Dave Cushman’s website: http://www.dave-cushman.net
It is a huge source of reliable beekeeping information that was started by the enthusiast, Dave Cushman, who sadly died in 2011. In order not to lose this great resource, it has been continued, updated and expanded by Roger Patterson, a highly respected Sussex beekeeper with well over 50 years’ experience. There is a comprehensive subject index as well as a more user-friendly A-Z index with hundreds of entries. However, there is no need to feel overwhelmed by the size of this resource, just use the index to access to some topic about which you would like some information.
2. Consider subscribing to The Apiarist. https://theapiarist.org
This weekly publication, emailed to subscribers, is the amazing work of a Scottish beekeeper, David, and is best described by him, in the introduction to his website:
‘This site is about beekeeping, More specifically, it is about “the science, art and practice of sustainable beekeeping … so much more than honey.”
Science, because I’m a scientist, and we know a lot about the biology of the honey bee, have lots more to learn and because this knowledge informs our beekeeping. Art, because of the considerable skill involved in properly managing bees, some of which results from this knowledge.
Practice, because beekeeping is, of necessity, a practical hobby, pastime, career … or obsession.’
His weekly items are often topical, always interesting, always informative, sometimes amusing, e.g. when he gives honest accounts of his mishaps, and occasionally quite beyond me, e.g. when he got enthusiastic about 3-D printing for making small hive parts.
This next bit is from Geoff:
‘The articles cover his varied topics in some depth, and often at a different angle from usual.’
You can be a subscriber and receive copies of his articles without payment – they come with a polite request to buy him a coffee (hint), but if you become a sponsor (currently only £50 per year), you receive more. If you would like to see an example of his work, I could send a sample issue to you.
Marion Cooper