>what we are wondering is it too late to produce any honey for this year.
Probably.
>or how late could we leave it to ensure honey
for this year.
To ensure it? April 2005.
>we have our hive in position now.
any advise would be greatfully recieved.
Where are you? I have no idea if pontefract is in Australia, Finland, Antartica, Idaho or Honduras. If you're in Hondoras you have a bit of a season ahead of you yet. If you're in Australia, you're battening down for winter. If you're in Finland it's just thawing out. If you're in Antartica it will never thaw out. If you're in Idaho it's just spring.
Judging by your user name I'd guess you're an Aussie. They seem to like those funny sounding names.