Bees for Development Journal 135 July 2020
Dear friends
In this special edition we bring you a wonderful article by reader Mr Mrugank Divekar of Mumbai. Mrugank had opportunity to closely observe a nest of the little Asian honey bee Apis florea. He even managed to observe behaviour that has not been documented before – of the bees recycling their beeswax and taking it to a new nest site! Wonderful – this is the type of observation and description written by natural historians in Darwin’s time – please read his delightful description on page 8. We bring you also specially prepared recipes by topexpert soap maker Dr Sara Robb. Provided here are formulae for recipes that will work for you – whatever source of plant oils you have available. Follow the instructions carefully and you can create very high quality soap – for your own use or to market – this is an excellent way to add value to your bee products: there are always good markets for locally made, high-quality soap containing good ingredients. Beekeeping events around the world are every week being cancelled or further postponed – we endeavour to give you the new dates on page 20 – check our website which we continuously update.
Issue 135 In this issue
July 2020 page
The Robb Recipe: A flexible formulation for natural soap..... 3 A honey bee colony is a lovely sight to see.................... 8 Bees for Development – Africa .....................................12 News.......................................15 Monmouth Bee Town...............16 Bees for Development Fundraising.............................17 Book Shelf...............................18 Look Ahead.............................20 Bees for Development Connect..................................21 Bees for Development Journal Produced quarterly and sent to readers in over 130 countries Editor: Nicola Bradbear PhD Co-ordinator: Helen Jackson BSc Subscriptions cost £30 per year – see page18 for ways to pay
We know that beekeeping contributes to food and nutrition security, and many chronically poor people are now facing exceptionally hard times. We want to help you with your beekeeping, and training events. We have initiated a new WhatsApp broadcast for beekeepers and trainers working in the poorest regions: please join up – see page 21.
Nicola Bradbear Director, Bees for Development
President of Bees for Development We are delighted to announce that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall has accepted the role of President of Bees for Development! Her Royal Highness has a sincere interest in beekeeping, with her own hives in her home garden. This year all proceeds from the sale of Her Royal Highness’s honey will be donated to Bees for Development. We sincerely appreciate this endorsement for our work and welcome Her Royal Highness to her new role.
Readers in developing countries may apply for a sponsored subscription. Apply online at www.beesfordevelopment.org Bees for Development Works to assist beekeepers in developing countries. Bees for Development Trust gratefully acknowledge: Alan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust, Artemis Charitable Trust, Bees for Development North America, Briogeo, Didymus Charity, E H Thorne (Beehives) Ltd, Ethiopiaid, Hiscox Foundation, Hub Cymru Africa, Millom Rotary Club, National Lottery Community Fund UK, Neal’s Yard Remedies, Red Rivers Food, Rowse Honey Ltd, The Rotary Foundation, UK Aid Direct, Wales for Africa, Welsh Government, Yasaeng Beekeeping Supplies and many other generous organisations and individuals. Copyright You are welcome to translate and/ or reproduce items appearing in Bees for Development Journal as part of our Information Service. Permission is given on the understanding that the Journal and author(s) are acknowledged, our contact details are provided in full, and you send us a copy of the item or the website address where it is used.
Bees for Development
Image © Milan Wiercx van Rhijn/Bees for Development
Welcome to this special edition of BfD Journal. In normal times we would print and post to beekeepers in 130 nations – however the world’s postal services are currently severely disrupted, and we are communicating with you this way instead. We are distributing this special edition more widely too – so more of our supporters can enjoy it this time.
Cover picture: The beginning of it all. The building blocks of the colony: wax scales coming straight from the wax glands of these worker bees. 1,100 scales like these are needed to make one gram of beeswax – imagine the work involved!
1 Agincourt Street, Monmouth NP25 3DZ, UK Tel: +44 (0)1600 714848 info@beesfordevelopment.org www.beesfordevelopment.org
