Meetings and Events
In the summer meetings occur at the Divisional out-apiaries as well as members apiaries and those of other divisions. Meetings start at 2-30. Bring a mug for tea and something to share to eat.
At the meetings groups of members examine the various hives under the guidance of experienced members. Everyone gets the chance to see what is going on in the colony, what is needed and to handle the bees, especially beginners. We do have a range of beesuits, veils etc that can be borrowed during the meetings, but if you have your own then please bring them.
Important: Visitors must make sure that their suits and boots are clean and also bring clean washing-up or disposable gloves if they wish to handle bees. These measures are to prevent, or at least minimise, the spread of disease.
Grassroots, near Burgess Hill; TQ306173, BN6 9ND.
Plumpton Wood, Wales Farm, Plumpton College; TQ353139, BN6 8RR. Map to Plumpton Apiary
Whitelands, near Clayton-Hassocks; TQ314138, BN6 9PL. Map to Whitelands Apiary
Winter Meetings are at the Cliffe Church Hall in Lewes and start 7-30pm for 7-45pm. Map to Hall
Summer meetings are at the appropriate site and start at 2-30pm.
D I A R Y
Summer Meetings
11th September – A change from the original meeting to be held at our Plumpton apiary. This meeting will now take place at Oliver St. John's apiary. He has hives in the pub garden/field at the Half Moon pub, Plumpton on the B2116 (Ditchling to Offham road) off the junction of Plumpton Lane (just around the corner to Plumpton on the nasty bend). From Ditchling head east towards Lewes along the B2116. the Half Moon is just beyond Plumpton College on the left. From Lewes head north on the A275 towards Offham. Turn left just past the Offham petrol station. The Half Moon is on the right after the dangerous bend, about 2 miles. For parking, there are two entrances into the pub's car park, one to the left (west) of the pub, the other off the bottom of Plumpton Lane. There is plenty of space (37 cars), or drive up the slope into the field. The apiary is by a lone tree at the north end of the field.
See Map for September meeting; You can slope off to the pub after the meeting for a drink and bite to eat if you wish!25th September - Whiteland’s Pumping Station Apiary, Hassocks.
Winter Meetings
20th October Ideas, Inventions, Tips and Disasters.
28th-30th October National Honey Show.
6th November 10am-4pm Wild About Mid Sussex, Exhibition, Martlets Hall, Burgess Hill, further details here.
6th November SBKA Annual Convention, Plumpton Agricultural College.
17th November ‘How Bees Communicate’ John Hendri.
15th December ‘Forensic Studies in Pollen, Honey, Fraud and Crime’. Dr Michael Keith Lucas.
19th January AGM and ‘Why Bother Showing Honey’ Moyra Davidson.
16th February ‘History of Beekeeping’ Amanda Millar.
5th March County AGM Plumpton Agricultural College, (Brighton and Lewes are Hosts).
16th March The New Season.
The last 15 minutes at the end of each of our Winter programme meetings is going to be set aside and devoted tomembers questions.
