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Bees: their diversity, life and importance to us – 20 February 2012
He tackled the issue of honeybees and colony collapse disorder, whilst steering us towards understanding the vast diversity of types of bee which pollinate the UK. For example, he explained how the shape of the apple flower means that only pollen foragers who stand on the outside of the petals can pollinate the plant. He explored the 250 types of bee (many of which bore little resemblance to our expectations of a honeybee or bumble bee) and 230 wasps and described their lifecycles. Looking at studies over the last fifty years it is clear that bee diversity has reduced enormously, as the diversity of habitats has reduced. He suggested we grow old local varieties, leave the lawn to grow longer and cut the hedgerows less. There were many questions after the talk. Adam demonstrated the skill of the scientist to base his opinions on observable fact and refused to be drawn on the causes of some of the issues which are topical today. Where Adam’s knowledge on the honeybee reached its limits, a number of beekeepers in the room contributed with what they knew. Thanks to Adam for an enjoyable and informative talk. Only Barry finished with an unanswered topic – where do his bees fly off to every day?
Annual General Meeting and Supper – 21 January 2012
Supper was a fantastic affair – a wonderful collection of salads, bakes, soups, casseroles, breads, cakes, cheeses and desserts. This group can cook. After dinner the group reconvened to discuss events which gathered a number of new ideas including garden and farm visits, the new CSA at Ryton and speakers on apple varieties among many more.
Stuck in the garden and need a hint? Just discovered something new? Please share it with the rest of our members, Don't worry about our members without access to the internet - the secretary keeps them in touch with everything that is going on. MEMBERSHIP If you would like to pay your
subscription for the Heart of England Organic Group, please request
a membership form. Cheques should be made payable to 'H.E.O.G.' and
sent to the address below. We are always on the look out for new members so they are always welcome at events. They can come along as guests before they join for a small fee. Contact Ross if you’d like to come along. 
for more details and directions please contact Heart of England Organic
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A fantastic turnout of 38 meant that we were adding extra chairs to squeeze everybody in to listen to this topical and informative talk by Dr Adam Bates. Adam is an ecologist at the University of Birmingham and participates in the OPAL (open air laboratory, 
We had a good turn-out of members for the AGM, and an even better turn-out of dishes for the bring-and-share supper! The AGM is of course formally minuted and these will be issued in due course. The meeting was the first attempt at a new format to reduce our carbon impact – avoiding the wasted sheets of paper left behind at previous meetings – the formal papers were all projected on screen. Despite nearly 25 years working in IT, Ross was clearly left bewildered by the various wires and controls needed to get the picture onto the screen. Once complete the meeting was underway and progressed at speed towards dinner. Only a few questions were asked from the floor, namely Barry who traditionally keeps the committee on their toes regarding the production of the organic directory!
HINTS
AND TIPS
