Many beekeepers switch off as soon as they bed their bees down for the winter, then put their feet up, only to panic in the spring.

There is a lot to think about. What went wrong last year? How can we overcome the problems and improve next year? What can you study so you understand your bees better, so make fewer mistakes? What other management techniques can you use? Can you make your bees more productive and healthy? Can you enjoy your beekeeping more?

This presentation is packed with suggestions for improving your bees and your beekeeping.

This event is kindly sponsored by Bord Bia, whose purpose is to bring Ireland’s outstanding food, drink and horticulture to the world, thus enabling growth and sustainability of producers.

Roger Patterson

Roger Patterson, who lives in West Sussex, started keeping bees in 1963, soon after the hard 1962/3 winter, and at one stage kept 130 colonies. He is a practical beekeeper, concentrating on the basics and keeping things simple, but based on observation and understanding of the colony. He has always been heavily involved with his local and county BKA’s and manages his local BKA apiary, where there are usually a large number of colonies for instruction, including queen rearing. He has been a demonstrator since the early 1970s and believes beekeeping should be fun.

For business reasons, Roger had a break of about 15 years without his own bees, but kept involved with his local BKA. On his return to active beekeeping he noticed a problem with queen performance, which he has highlighted and written about in the bee press.

Roger lectures and demonstrates widely, where his practical approach is appreciated. He is often accompanied by his border collies Nell and Rosie. Since COVID-19 he has presented many webinars. He is a past BBKA Trustee, currently BDI Vice President and BIBBA vice chairman, the latter doubling up with Events and Education. He arranges speakers for events held by the National Honey Show, BIBBA and the Central Association of Bee-keepers.

Roger owns and maintains Dave Cushman’s Website www.dave-cushman.net, probably the most comprehensive source of beekeeping information on the Internet.

Roger has also published a book, “Beekeeping. A Practical Guide“, with four others and has several booklets in the pipeline.