Spring Bee Auction2004
Saturday 1st May. 11am
viewing start
If you want anything from a smoker to a ready to go colony, this is the place to be!
Annual Beekeeping Equipment Auction run by Meon Valley Beekeepers.
If you have beekeeping equipment to dispose of, book it into the 2004 auction NOW!
Click here to get your stuff in the auction Click Here for the Terms & Conditions
For further information, email Francis Farnsworth
LOCATED JUST OFF THE A3 click here for map easy to find!
Last years Highlights
From Saturday May 4th 2002.
April is traditionally the start of Hampshire
beekeepers active year after a winter of
preparation, making new hives and obtaining supplies. When the Spring frosts
have gone,
bluebells are flowering in the woodland, house prices are escalating and
temperatures
rising, so too do the bees. Warm spring sunshine coaxes out long wintered bees
looking
for fresh sources of food.
Another big event for the Hampshire bee enthusiast around this important time of
year, is
the annual Meon Valley Beekeepers Auction. The first weekend in May heralds one
of
the big social and trading events for beekeepers within the area and further
afield. In
years past the auction has been held at Lupin Farm- Colemore. 2002 is the second
year
it’s been held at Greatham Village Hall in the centre of a wonderful sheltered
setting. Still
breathing a sigh of relief after an effective A325 arterial road diversion,
Greatham has
reverted to its rural splendour; with an enviable collection of ancient
stonewall buildings,
including a ruin of the original Parish church built in 1282, part of which is
still
operational as a chapel. Today’s Parish Church St John the Baptist, built in the
relatively
recent year 1875, is entered through a superbly carved wooden archway, then down
a
sweeping gravel drive opening out to show off a great example of typical
Hampshire
Parish church architecture.
This year, the Meon Valley Annual Bee Auction had a huge assortment of items
relating
to beekeeping available for bidding, over 250 lots. Besides nucleus colonies of
bees, the
basis of a healthy a hive, there were of course an amazing variety of hives
awaiting new
owners, (and occupants), along with loads of sundry items for tending bees or
honey
extraction.
Viewing started at 11:00, by then there was already a good crowd gathered, old
acquaintances renewed and new ones being made.
Experienced livestock auctioneer, Graham Stratford, commenced a mammoth 3 hour
auction at 1pm. Over 280 lots required individual attention, from the smallest
shed
clearout, to £300 honey extraction equipment, all ran with practised precision
being the
8th such auction organised by Meon Valley Beekeepers to raise funds for the
Club, whilst
volunteer catering inside the hall raised money for Rehab, the Alton based heart
charity.
As last year, the auction was a huge success, most of the lots going,
successfully
equipping beekeepers old and new. Plans are already in progress for next year’s
event.
Even if you are not a beekeeper, this is a rural event not to be missed as it’s
the only one
in Hampshire, held once a year in the spring.