The local beekeepers will be meeting in the back bar of the Neidpath Inn Peebles on Wednesday 4th March at 7.30pm.
After a horrible wet February hopefully the bees will get some respite this month. Some mild air and sunshine should kick start the beekeeping season.
Come along for tips, advice, news and stories to get the season off to a good start.
All welcome.
Tuesday 25th February
Venue: Community Centre (Drill Hall) Peebles 7.30pm
John Durkacz: on bee populations, native and imported
John has been a beekeeper for many years, and has a huge knowledge of things bee-related.
He was one of the initiators and founders of the Scottish Native HoneyBee Society (affectionately known to members as Snibs).
He has helped establish remote mating apiaries to help ensure the preservation of native honey bees.
He’ll be talking about – among other things – different bee strains, apiary locations, moving bees and bee welfare.
The local beekeepers will be meeting in the back bar of the Neidpath Inn Peebles on Wednesday 5th February at 7.30pm.
The new season will be underway soon with the first flowering bulbs showing already.
There will be association news, advice, tips and chit-chat on offer.
All welcome especially beginners who are thinking of taking up the hobby this year.
Tuesday 28th January
Venue: Manor Village Hall
Kate Atchley: beeswax and beyond, with Shani Sedgwick on making beeswax wraps
An interactive presentation about beeswax – its recovery, cleaning and uses with some advice on candle making, and on environmentally-friendly food wraps.
An informative talk, as well as a good forum to exchange your best tips, bring your favourite bits of kit, and ask for advice.
At the end of the season most beekeepers will have beeswax – damaged or dirty comb from brood areas and supers. If it’s been cleaned, it can be sold, or exchanged for sheets of foundation. Or you can clean it up yourself, and find a good use for this valuable by-product. Kate and Shani will show how prepare the beeswax, and suggest some ways of making the best use of it.
After the talk/demo, there will be questions, chat, and of course refreshments (any edible contributions welcome!)
2020 01 08 Pub meeting – summary.
The first pub monthly meeting of the year – a nice warm welcome for us at the Neidpath Inn, Peebles. We usually meet on the first Wednesday of every month.
Native Scottish Honeybee breeding programme
We currently have 3 colonies, thanks to David, Wilma and Linda’s efforts last summer. At Kate Atchley’s suggestion, she, David and a few members from other Associations, are going to meet up in February to see if there is scope to help each other out for this year’s breeding programme.
Beginner’s course
With several enquiries already about a beginner’s course, the dates 18th April is suggested: to be confirmed. Mandy will check that Manor village Hall is available: please contact Mandy or Peter if you can help out in any way, and let us know which date would be most suitable for you.
Beekeeper visitor: 12th/13th April
A beekeeper from Texas is visiting Peebles April 12th/13th, would like to visit an apiary and buy some local honey (preferably 8oz jars). Please contact Mandy if you can help.
Braula
I’ve been asked by an ex-colleague if anyone has found Braula in their colonies: apparently miticides have been successful in wiping out not just varroa but also Braula, which might now be considered at threat! The Natural History Museum lacks any recent specimens in its reference collection. They are more likely to be found in untreated colonies (especially feral): I’d be happy to check out samples if you think you’ve found it.
Candles
Mandy has been donated a number of candle moulds – members are welcome to borrow them.
Observation hive
Bill Jack has been in discussion with Chris Sawer, about setting up an observation hive at St Ronans Wells, Innerleithen: he has offered to look after it, but some other local volunteers would be appreciated, and we’ll try to arrange a mentored session from a member with this particular skill. If you are prepared to help, please contact Mandy or Bill, and we’ll arrange for a mentored session.
Varromed
Peter Stevenson brought along a new miticide, Varromed, which can be used at any time of year, even with supers on, and is acceptable under organic farming rules. However, the £31.50 bottle treats 10 hives (depending on their size) and must be used within a month of opening. It was suggested that the Association could purchase this product, so that beekeepers with fewer than 10 colonies could share a bottle as well as the appropriate proportion of the cost. What do you think?
Nucs needed/for sale
If you need to buy or sell a colony, Mandy is happy to gather names and put people in touch with each other.
Honey tasting
Peter & Helen brought back some local honey to taste from their holiday in Costa Rica – always interesting to taste honeys from wherever our members have been holidaying, they find beekeepers everywhere! Will try and find a speaker next year who can guide us in tasting and describing honeys. (Any suggestions?)
Winter treatments
And last of all – a big thank you to David, who has been carrying out winter treatments on his own hives, Association hives, AND those of several members.
The local beekeepers will be meeting in the back bar of the Neidpath Inn Peebles on Wednesday 8th January at 7.30pm.
We will be making plans for the new year at the association apiary.
If you are thinking of starting beekeeping in 2020 then this is a great way to meet experienced beekeepers and get advice.
The meeting is an informal get together and open to anyone.
Tuesday 26th November
Venue: Community Centre (Drill Hall) Peebles 7.30pm
Judging by Alan Riach.
A warm welcome again to the popular Alan Riach, who doesn’t just judge the honey entries but gives kindly advice on improving honey standards at all levels. NB Beginners – some categories are beginners only.
Honey: preparing honey for shows
Peeblesshire Beekeepers Honey Show is on the last Tuesday in November: we hope that all our members will enter at least one or two classes, even the beginners. We have a schedule which describes the different categories and their requirements: our rules are relatively relaxed, and the aim of the show is to encourage members* to process and present their honey harvest in the best possible way. That means that local honey is the best possible quality, maintains a good reputation, and fetches a good price.
http://www.nbbka.org/honey/honeyshow/preparation.aspx
*The rules don’t specify that that you have to be a member, but we’d prefer it
The local beekeepers will be meeting in the back bar of the Neidpath Inn Peebles on Wednesday 6th November at 7.30pm.
There will be the usual news, advice and blethers on offer.
There are still some winter preparations needed at the association apiary so we will try to organise what needs to be done there.
We also have our centenary dinner and annual honey show coming up.
All welcome as always.
Venue: Community Centre (Drill Hall) Peebles 7.30pm
Luis Melora Lead Bee Inspector
Luis Melora is the newly appointed lead bee inspector for Scotland.
Our first lecture of the winter season and an opportunity to meet and welcome Luis. He will speak about his first 3 months in the job, the move from hobbyist to lead bee inspector and an update on the Foul brood situation in Scotland, Asian Hornet threat and overview of beekeeping in Scotland.
The local beekeepers will be meeting in the back bar of the Neidpath Inn Peebles on Wednesday 2nd October at 7.30pm.
Winter preparations are under way. Lucky beekeepers may have some honey crop. Find out the latest news at the regular pub meeting.
All welcome as usual for news, tips and general chat.