Welcome. We are a family of beekeepers that run a small business specialising in hand crafted beeswax candles and other crafts. As beekeepers we are committed to the welfare of honeybees and as such are involved with study groups in our local area. Beekeeping in North Devon is on the increase and the North Devon School of Country Beekeeping has been set up in response to a need for a more comprehensive understanding of the basics of keeping bees. "We start again in April 2012 so you will have immediate Hands-On experience. The course spans 14 weeks. You will have 5 experienced beekeepers guiding you. Towards the end of the course you will have the opportunity to buy the nucleus you have created. We will have fun!"........... www.ndscb.com The Instrumented hive project is an independent group of experienced beekeepers formed to study honeybee social organisation. Based in N Devon we use modern technology, a spread of different skills, considerable beekeeping experience, together with a willingness to apply our limited money and resources where our greater passion lies'....... www.instrumented-hive.co.uk Pinkleberrys are also involved with the ongoing development of the Zest Hive. An innovative hive design created by Bill Summers initially intended for use in third world countries, and now through further development and the use of insulating blocks is proving very acceptable as an alternative bee hive for use in the UK. A book on the Zest Hive construction is available as a pdf download on Bill's website: www.zest-hive.com Of particular interest is the "top cross" entrance and ventilation system. We have also been trialling a 'Ventillated Intermediate Bee Entry Zone' National hive throughout the winter with very encouraging results. Top entry ventilation stops cold air being drawn up through the cluster via a bottom entrance, so preventing bees from getting chilled (flue effect) in mid winter. Instead it allows the brood chamber to retain warmth while expelling contaminated air across the top of the brood frames. Moving in to the spring of 2011, some of the more positive points of the trial include a noticeable absents of Varroa mite, and a reduction in the amount of stores used to maintain optimum temperatures within the hive. So far the VIBEZ system has not shown any detrimental effects to the colony. The healthy colony from this winter trial has now been homed in a summer version for trials under a converted Queen excluder. The conversion from a bottom entrance national to a VIBEZ hive can be achieved with a simple adjustment to Crown board or Queen excluder. This page will be regularly updated with info on details for conversions and trial results.
We hope to see you again!
Check back later for new updates to our website.
There's much more to come!
Please remember to be candle safe
Never leave burning candles unattended.
