the essential
Beekeepers and supporters gathered this Saturday in June at the departmental apiary school for the inauguration of the new classroom.
The pretty frame is no longer visible, it is hidden by an insulating ceiling, the walls have been doubled and the simple windows have been replaced by double glazing. Everything you need for greater comfort. “This room was built 57 years ago by beekeepers with the means of the time and zero insulation. Today we finally have a real classroom with sound and thermal insulation” comments Cyril Mangenot coordinator and secretary of the association, while projecting visuals on the big screen presenting the progress of the work carried out in just a few weeks by volunteers who, thanks to their commitment, reduced the cost of purchasing the materials alone. The Community of Centre-Tarn communes and the Department contributed to these costs. In addition to these interior works, wastewater drainage and new gates were also carried out.
Mid-season results uncertain
“At mid-season the harvest report gives a result that is not good at all” indicates Jean-Yves Delandhuy the president “to blame a rainy and colder season where it was necessary to feed the bees and more than ever the Asian hornet is present. C “It was catastrophic last year, it’s going to be worse this year, we’re doing everything we can to trap them.”
New, hives are now equipped with digital sensors which make it possible to monitor their activity over a season and to intervene quickly if they show signs of decline. The other advantage of this digitization is to share the life of the hive with schools. “Teachers and students can thus follow the life of bees remotely during a nature lesson”.
Before tasting a mead, the meeting ended in music with a piece entitled “The Bee” performed by Bernard de Cabarrus on keyboard and Nathalie Mollon on clarinet.
