Letter to the Editor: Everything you ever wanted to know about honey bees but were too afraid to ask
Dear sir - Spring is in the air! And the honey bees! If you want to learn more about beekeeping or about honey bees, how the honey bees have divided their tasks, why they swarm, why they produce honey, what their role is in our biodiversity, their specific diseases and pests and many about honey bees, the Royal County Beekeepers’ Association (RCBKA) plans to organise a spring beekeeping course for beginners. The course will start later than usual this year.
The webinar course (using the platform ZOOM) will start 12th April next, followed byfive more sessions. The course follows the Federation of Irish Bee Keepers Association (FIBKA) syllabus for beginners. A practical session followed by an exam however, may not take place due to COVID pandemic restrictions in place. If you are interested in this course or have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the committee members, using the following link:rcbkabeginners@gmail.com.
The fee for the course is set at €105, which includes the RCBKA membership 2021.
Yours,
Frankie de Dobbelaere,
Dunsany.
'Ruination' of the Hill of Tara
(Editor, Meath Chronicle)
Dear sir - The OPW, Meath Co Council and whoever else has an input and say over how the Hill of Tara is managed and developed must make a decision soon before this national treasure is let go to rack and ruin and damaged irreparably.
They must decide whether it is a National Heritage Site, a children's playground, a public park or a training centre for sports people.
While genuine visitors are to be welcomed and encouraged, there are far too many people who use it as one of the aforementioned uses other than appreciating it as a heritage site. Dogs are let roam freely to defecate wherever they want. The fairy trees are near ruin due to the amount of coins being hammered into them and other objects being tied to them, the most recent addition being facemasks. With the recent inclement weather much of the grass has been turned into mud by the constant trodding over it.
The most recent "development", and I use that word lightly, is the bulldozing of the grass bank and hedge opposite the gift shop and café. This bank has been there for way over 50 years and was used by locals and visitors alike as a resting point after the trek around the hill. The area has now been covered over with bland cobble stones and is nothing more than an eyesore.
The lack of public parking needs to be addressed urgently. Every weekend the approach roads are partially blocked by parked cars making driving hazardous for local farmers and visitors alike.Hopefully someone in authority will realise what a treasure we have on our doorstep and stop the ruination before it is too late.
Yours,
Jimmy Rafter,
Tara.
(Editor, Meath Chronicle)