OKEHAMPTON Beekeepers' Association held its final winter meeting with a talk from national bee inspector of the National Bee Unit, Richard Ball.

The talk featured two related subjects, The Foundation of Good Comb and Swarm Control, Investing in the Future.

The meeting attracted an attendance of more than 40 guests who enjoyed refreshments and a question time during the talk, which had two parts.

The first subject focussed on combating colony losses and how beekeepers need to up their game to improve general bee health.

The second subject was swarm control and making an increase.

Chairman of Okehampton Beekeepers' Association, Ray King expressed thanks to Mr Ball for the detailed evaluation of colony health maintenance leading in to methods of management during the swarming season.

The next meeting of the Okehampton branch will be the annual dinner on Friday, April 23 at the Waie Inn, Zeal Monachorum.