Philip McCabe from Drogheda is coming to Dromore to speak on "Starting with Bees", a subject aimed especially at those who have just started beekeeping and those considering entering the ancient craft.

Dromore Beekeepers visited Philip's apiary at Termonfeckin last summer, where he laid on a demonstration.

Philip is past president and current PRO for the Federation of Irish Beekeepers' Associations and came to international attention in 2005 with his attempt to enter the Guinness Book of Records with the largest veil of honeybees clinging to his body.

That was the year Apimondia, the large international bee conference, brought 3,000 beekeepers to Dublin, and Philip was the President of Apimondia Ireland 2005.

A DBA spokesperson said, "Possibly as a reaction to damage to the environment, mass produced food and health scares, many people are considering growing their own vegetables, producing their own chickens and eggs and keeping bees. Of these three options beekeeping is the most convenient.

"Bees require less than weekly attention for five months of the year - mid April to mid September - and work during the rest of the year is confined to making, repairing and cleaning equipment.

"More importantly honey keeps for years without refrigeration and is always a most acceptable gift; the generous beekeeper may well get presents of vegetables and eggs.

"With gardens becoming smaller, beekeepers require more management skills to ensure that their bees don't become a nuisance to their neighbours; they also require insurance.

"Beekeeping associations, affiliated to the Ulster Beekeepers' Association, insure all their members against third party and product liability. If you commence beekeeping you really require to be a member of an association."

The February meeting of Dromore Beekeepers' Association will be held in the Dromore High School Science Resource Centre (a free standing building in the back car park, approached by driving round the school on the Dromore side) at 7.30 PM on Tuesday 19.

It is hoped that there will be a good attendance of members, other beekeepers and especially those just considering keeping bees. Visitors don't require to join right away; you will be very welcome.