The Richmond Beekeepers Association

Minutes October 8, 2019

Meeting held in Kinsmen Pavilion at Richmond Nature Park, 7:30 pm

There were about 45 people in attendance.

Executives in attendance: Alan Wong (President), Jonathan Jakes (Vice President), Gregg Ashby (Secretary), Barbara Rokeby (Treasurer), Jean Stewart (Member at large)

1. Welcome and introduction of Newbees
   1. There were 4 “Newbees” in attendance.
2. Minutes
   1. September 10, 2019 minutes approved.
3. Treasurer’s report
   1. $10,750 in the bank.
4. Movie – The Pollinators
   11. Julia Common played the trailer for us. She recommended the film. It gives hope that agriculture can be improved by supporting wildlife. The Pollinators will be shown in Vancouver cinemas on Nov 11.
5. Report on Apimondia
   1. Jonathan reported on the Apimondia international beekeepers conference.
   2. BC was well represented.
   3. Discussion about brood disease picked up from blueberries. Not well diagnosed.
   4. Ian Steppler spoke – good practical advice – available on YouTube.
   5. Paul van Westendorp discussed the Asian Hornet. He thinks it may be under control in BC. The species found on Vancouver Island was different to the Asian Hornet in the UK that is harder eradicate.
6. Jeff Pettis is speaking at UBC Cluster on Nov 6 – Honeybees as a gateway bug
7. BCHPA conference is in Abbotsford on October 24, 2020, one week after our Tom Seeley seminar.
8. Coffee break, raffle
9. Honey tasting
   1. A popular event. 7 entrants. There was a two way tie for best honey between Gregg Ashby and Garth Findlay. Tom Seeley’s “The Lives of Bees” was awarded as prizes.
10. Guest speakers
    1. Steve Bayley, Mike Munro and Brian Campbell answered questions and led a lively discussion on winterizing your hives.
11. Meeting adjourned: 9:30 pm

Next Meetings:

Bees and Beers, 6:30pm October 22^nd. Burnaby venue to be determined.

Next Regular meeting November 12^th