bees

[Libby]

I have the chance to buy some secondhand hives, with inspected colonies in about 4-6 weeks. That,s assuming I can find a site for them of course.
I,ve been told that the council won,t let me use our local allotment because it is too close to the houses, so the search is on
To be honest, it,s looking scarier as the time comes closer
I,m not scared of the bees (I think, but still haven,t been in the apiary yet), but the disease control seems like a lot of mumbo jumbo to me at the moment
Hopefully it will not seem so bad once i,ve actually seen how it,s managed!

[Goodlife1970]

Thats great Libby! Im still setting up the insides of my hive ready for my promised swarm,whats confusing me are the regs involving the selling of honey,are they just trying to confuse us?

[Libby]

It,s the same with any food product you sell these days. Everything that requires any form of processing has to be registered.
I,m confused by it all myself goodlife
If I ever manage to decipher the code, I,ll let you know

Seriously though, I will ask at my next class how it affects small producers, the procedures etc and how the legislation translates into actual 'doing'
They will be sick of me! I,m the only one there that ever really asks questions

[Goodlife1970]

Im sure theres a conspirancy to stop the Little People from selling their own stuff,oooh it makes me so mad!

[Shirley]

I'm somewhat wary of bees... but would love to keep some. I don't think I'll pluck up the courage to do so, but as a second best would rather buy from a local producer than imported honey. Local honey is supposed to help with hayfever so I'm going to be getting on to that soon.

Good luck with the legal stuff... that is the beauty of forums like this though isn't it... we are not alone.. we have friends to ask for information.

[Libby]

Im sure theres a conspirancy to stop the Little People from selling their own stuff,oooh it makes me so mad!

It does seem that way sometimes Goodlife.
I found this link which seems to explain the regulations in more uderstandable format
http://www.surreybeekeepers.org.uk/guil ... aclaw2.htm

I,ve saved it myself too for future reference, as it it is lot clearer than anything else I,ve read. Hope it helps you out.

[Libby]

I'm somewhat wary of bees... but would love to keep some. I don't think I'll pluck up the courage to do so, but as a second best would rather buy from a local producer than imported honey. Local honey is supposed to help with hayfever so I'm going to be getting on to that soon.

Good luck with the legal stuff... that is the beauty of forums like this though isn't it... we are not alone.. we have friends to ask for information.

We do indeed shirlz

[Goodlife1970]

Thanks Libby, almost in plain English,unlike some rules and regs!

[Steve Hanson]

I am getting my first bees this spring and have been doing loads of research on the web, I have found some really good sites and some not so good, but anyway here are the good ones.

http://www.beesource.com/

http://www.bbka.org.uk/

http://www.ibra.org.uk/index.html

I have to say I am not sure from talking to others who keep bees that they are easy to keep especially with all the problems they can suffer as regards diseases and parasites. I think my cows are easier and a lot less likely to sting me, I don’t have to don special clothing to go and see them and they are a lot cuddlier than bees

[Goodlife1970]

Oh dont get me onto cows! My eldest daughter has been on at me to get her one every Christmas/Birthday since she was two! She cant quite understand that theres just not enough room in the garden.....................

[ina]

Ever thought of getting a Dexter? They are pet-size!

http://www.alamy.com/stock_photography/ ... A8P7F.html

[Goodlife1970]

[quote="ina"]Ever thought of getting a Dexter? They are pet-size! I would love a Dexter (isnt that the River Cottage cow?) or a Jersey but I dont think either would have enough room on the lawn! Once Im a bit more sorted Ill look for a field to rent/buy and then pehaps Rosie can have her cow!