When we met for our AGM in January 2020 none of us could have predicted what happened in the following 12 months. Here we are a year later still unable to meet, but bees will be bees regardless of any restrictions that may affect us.
We all enjoyed 8 weeks of hot, sunny weather early in the season and colonies got off to a flying start but it went downhill after June and I know that many members had a very poor or non-existent honey harvest at the close of the season. Somehow, my colonies bucked the trend and I had one of my best!
The worsening Covid situation meant that the Llangadog Hall shut in February and we had to abandon the introductory course after just 2 sessions but we hope to be able to resume in some form this year before the active season gets underway and welcome a new group of enthusiastic novices to our fold.
As I said, bees will be bees and our apiary bees are no exception. Keith and Paul soldiered on throughout the early days of lockdown doing all the jobs necessary to keep our bees healthy and productive.
On behalf of all our members, I would like to thank them, and anyone else who assisted at that time. When the first lockdown ended we were able to have some restricted and socially distanced apiary sessions for members which made things feel a little bit more normal.
One thing that was able to continue unabated was our closed Facebook group and I know that many members sought advice there in the absence of any face to face contact. Thank you to Doug for managing the group and always providing timely advice and information to help members.
I know also that many of you have taken advantage of the excellent Webinars produced by the WBKA and we are very grateful to the WBKA officers for the time and effort they invested.
During the year Vinny, our secretary resigned and Terri voluntarily stepped into the breach. I would like to thank Vinny for the very professional and efficient work that she did for us in the last two years and also thank Terri for putting her head over the parapet when the need arose.
Thank you once again to Huw for keeping our finances on track – lockdown or not, WBKA and BDI contributions and apiary expenses still had to be paid, to Darren for keeping the website functioning and to the members of the committee who, although there hasn’t really been anything to organise recently, are still willing to represent you.
It is the willingness of members to make a contribution, large or small, that enables our Association to function.
As we head into a new beekeeping season there is a light visible at the end of the long tunnel and hopefully, we will reach it with a renewed enthusiasm and energy.
I very much look forward to meeting you all again before too long.
Stay safe.
Margaret
