This talk will be held online (MS Teams). Follow this link to join:-
Full details here:- https://www.peeblesbeekeepers.org.uk/event/online-talk-monitoring-pollinators-with-poms-dr-miranda-bane/
Didi you get an email?
Our annual honey show was held this year on 26th November 2024.
Many thanks to our regular judge Alan Riach who was joined as usual by his wife Cynthia who is a fount of knowledge on how to best prepare exhibits for show.
There was not a particularly high number of entries this year, perhaps reflecting the difficult beekeeping season. However, most classes were at least competitive and all had a high standard of entries.
OPEN CLASSES
1. Two matching 454g (1lb) jars of light liquid honey.
First: Peter Stevenson, Second: Wilma McLean, Third: Frances Soutter
2. Two matching 454g (1lb) jars of medium liquid honey.
First: David Ferguson, Second: Peter Stevenson
3. Two matching 454g (1lb) jars of dark liquid honey.
Second: David Ferguson
4. Two matching 454g (1lb) jars soft set blossom honey.
First: David Ferguson Second: Peter Stevenson
5. Two matching 454g (1lb) jars ling heather honey.
6. Two matching 454g (1lb) jars ling heather blend honey.
First: David Ferguson Second: Peter Stevenson :
7. One shallow (super) frame of honey (any variety).
First: David Ferguson Second: Wilma McLean Third: Peter Stevenson
8. Two matching comb honey sections/rounds (any variety).
First: Wilma McLean
9. Two matching containers of cut comb (any variety) not less than 200g (7oz).
First: David Ferguson Second: Wilma McLean Third: Richard Leeman
10. One piece beeswax, weight not less than 225g (½ lb).
First: Peter Stevenson Second: David Ferguson
11. Three Matching Beeswax Candles.
First: David Ferguson Second: Peter Stevenson
12. One bottle of mead, volume not less than 70ml.
First: Peter Stevenson Third: David Ferguson
NOVICE CLASSES
13. One piece cut comb honey (minimum weight 200g).
14. One 454g (1lb) jar of honey any variety.
ADDITIONAL CLASSES
15. Photograph 6” x 4” unmounted print on a bee related theme.
First: Peter Stevenson Second: Jenny Litherland Third: David Ferguson
16. Honey cake: to be displayed on a clean white paper plate and enclosed within a clear plastic wrapping.
First: Wilma McLean Second: Frances Soutter Third: Jenny Litherland
John Stoakley Cup: David Ferguson
Andrew Stewart Shield: Peter Stevenson
PBKA president David Ferguson gave us a very interesting talk on using “spare” queen cells to raise new queens. The presentation had lots of good practical advice on his own technique making use of mini nucs.
We had a few technical difficulties on the night so David has kindly revamped the format of the presentation to make it clearer for future reference and it is available here for download (pdf).
The Peeblesshire Beekeepers Association AGM was held over Zoom on Wed 24th March 2021
The meeting was recorded and can be viewed at:-
Passcode: .oVK&47W
Draft minutes are available here as well as the secretaries and treasurers reports.
Friday 15th November
Venue: 1745 Restaurant, Traquair House
Time: 7pm
Three course meal £25 per person; licensed restaurant.
To book your place, please contact ">Secretary: Mandy Clydesdale
MENU
Starters
Parsnip, cumin and honey soup with crusty bread
Sautéed Chestnut mushrooms and spinach on Fat Batard sourdough
Chicken liver pate with Traquair chutney and oatcakes
Mains
Crispy chicken with a honey mustard sauce and creamy mash
Slow roast pork belly with dauphinois potatoes
Rich ratatouille on ciabatta
Puddings
Honey gingerbread with honeycomb ice cream
Honey orange poached pears with meringue
Sticky toffee apple pudding and cream
Tea and coffee
The association has recently purchased a 12 frame electric extractor.
The model is the Konigin 12 Frame Electric Radial Extractor supplied by Thornes.
The instructions for use are available to download here.
Peeblesshire Beekeepers will be at the Peebles Eastgate Market on Saturday 1st December.
We will be selling a selection of honey from the association hives and from other local beekeepers.
All honey on sale is produced from the hills and meadows of Peeblesshire, cold filtered to retain maximum flavour – a 100% local food product. There will tasting samples available.
The beekeepers themselves will be on hand if you want to know more about how honey is produced and the amazing creatures that create it.
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Just on my way into town the other day I noticed this pair of bumbleebees at the side of the road.
Mating Bumblebees
I’m pretty sure they are white tailed bumblebees. The male is at the back and he should have some yellow on his face that I think I can just about make out. I didn’t have my good camera with me so these are just snapped by the phone.
They looked locked together and weren’t really moving. My book says that “A pair of bumblebees may remain united for anything up to an hour or more ” (!). So I’m glad I didn’t stay to watch, although I did move them to the edge of the pavement so they didn’t get squished in the act.
A bit different to honeybee mating where it is over in an instant for the male…
Peter.
Jim Bell and Peter Stevenson both won prizes in this years competition.
(Peter selfishly only took photos of his own entries – sorry Jim!)
1st prize
Ling Heather Blend
2nd Prize
Honey Jar Label
(Must conform to sales regulations)
3rd Prize
Honey Lemon Curd
No Prize – but very tasty!
Honey date and walnut cake