Page 38 - link magazine

38 swindonlink.com • February 2011
Bee populations being made stronger by Swindon beekeeper’s research

The importance of the humble honey bee as a plant pollinator to the survival of the human race cannot be overstated and since the mid-1990s
they’ve been under attack by the varroa mite, a parasite that infects hives and has killed off huge numbers.
But, apocalyptic visions of crop The Adopt-a-Hive sponsorship
failure and mass starvation across scheme is appealing for individu-
the planet could be avoided if a als, organisations or companies to
new mite resistant bee bred by Ron donate £350 to obtain all the equip-
Hoskins of Swindon Honeybee Con- ment required for one nucleus kit. In
servation Group over several years return, every sponsor will be cred-
can be established in large numbers. ited with a plaque to be displayed
Ron explained that the use of on one of the hives at Stanton Park
pesticides to remove parasitic infec- Apiary, which is open to the public.
tions is undesirable, not only because The conservation group hopes
the chemicals involved can do more to distribute at least 20 nucleus kits
harm than good to the bees in the to local beekeepers in time for the
hives, but also because the mites are breeding season starting in May, so
showing signs of resistance to them. that the genetic footprint of hygienic
bees can begin to establish itself.
Ron Hoskins was one of the local faces
featured as part of large scale comic form Chris Deaves of the British Bee-
exhibition in 2002 sponsored by Asda keepers’ Association believes that
Walmart following its opening. Ron’s Hoskins’ method could be more
giant image by the Kartoon Kings Simon Swindon beekeepers at the con- as a result, the group discovered successful than the more ambitious
Grennon and Christopher Sporandio servation group’s Stanton apiary bees in the surviving hives had breeding programmes carried out
toured the town on a Thamesdown Trans- took the drastic decision in 2001 to developed the hygienic ability to in Europe and the United States. He
port double decker for a year. The artists halt the use of chemicals in their groom each other free of the mites, said, “he’s trying to cover a small
were pictured by The Link in front of large hives altogether. Despite losing and destroy infected larvae. area well, rather than spreading it
boards displayed in the store around 50 per cent of the colonies Ron is now launching a pioneer- over a large area thinly.”
ing approach to spread the popu- Ron added, “over time, and
MOBILE CAR SERVICING & REPAIRS lation of hygienic bees amongst with careful monitoring, the area
experienced beekeepers in the covered by the hygienic bee will
Swindon district. He said, “We need be gradually expanded, in what
Engine diagnostics Welding Electrical work sponsorship to fund the provision could be a crucial turnaround for
MoTs arranged (no re-test fee) of nucleus hives to committed bee populations the world over.”
For a reliable local service with over 30 years experience apiarists in the area, so that they To get involved in Adopt-a-Hive,
(No VAT to pay) can begin to establish new, stronger contact Ron Hoskins on 525364, or
mail: [email protected]
colonies.”
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