Dear Sir,
I read with interest the letter sent to the Newton News (21st August) by Bill Gibson who reported the retrieval of 40,000 bees from a location close to the Blue Bridge.
As a beekeeper myself, it’s always good news to hear a swarm has been collected by another beekeeper as we have the best chance, not only to collect them safely, but to give them a home to continue their natural reproduction cycle, which is what a swarm is – when roughly half the colony of bees leave their current hive with their queen to find a new home thus allowing the bees remaining in the previous hive to make a new queen and set off another colony.
I noticed Mr Gibson chose to refer the swarm to Darlington Beekeepers, but I wanted to remind everyone that we have a perfectly well-run and efficient beekeeping association in Newton Aycliffe (AYCLIFFE BKA) based at the Eco Centre in Moore Lane and with an established apiary at the St. Oswalds allotment site in the town.
Aycliffe Association members have been quietly and efficiently collecting swarms throughout the summer in the town and doing a great public service. On average we’ve collected about one swarm per week in the area during the main season and calculate that we’ve re-hived safely around 300,000 honeybees this year alone.
If you see a swarm in the Newton Aycliffe area (unlikely now since the swarming season is just about over) or you’d like more information about our association please call 07716 158325 or visit our website: www.aycliffebees.com
Viv Williams
