Langford Apiary Celebration, May 21st, 2022

On Saturday, 21st May, over 60 club members came together and warmly celebrated the establishment of our new NSBK Langford Apiary with invited representatives from Bristol University and the local community. The good weather, cool drinks and delicious buffet lunch consolidated the success of the occasion. The atmosphere was relaxed and thankful for the excellent facilities we can now enjoy.

The apiary shed and hive stack had been tidied and well organised for people to admire while all the pesky mole hills had been flattened. There was a "Wall of Honey" display to show the range of labels that members use on their products.  Items made during the Winter Woodworking Sessions could be viewed, notably the Willmott Clearance Box which was much discussed. Jamie Llewelyn set up a stall for Waggle & Hum and engaged in bee discussions with anyone who had an interesting beekeeping problem.

The club President, Garry Packer, first welcomed everyone to the apiary and invited them to view the hives from a safe distance before enjoying the refreshments. He then introduced Ivor & Jan Davis and invited them to carry out the central activity of formally declaring the apiary open by unveiling a commemorative plaque. But before that Ivor gave a short historical summary of the background to the start and growth of NSBK. After inspection of the plaque a very smart Bristol Blue Glass decanter was presented to Ivor & Jan as a mark of the club's gratitude for many years' technical effort and personal support.

The Apiary Manager, Eric Sortwell, was also thanked for his magnificent work in building up and running the new facilities and having a major hand in organising the current celebrations.

We all enjoyed meeting old friends in a relaxed environment, and making new ones through the exchange of endless stories about bees not behaving as the books say they should.

Rob Williams