Miranda Bane Talk Recording
The recording of the online talk from 25th Feb is now available. Follow this link:-
PBKA_ Monitoring pollinators with PoMS – Dr Miranda Bane-20250225_193328-Meeting Recording.mp4
Tues 25th Feb 7.30pm: Monitoring pollinators with PoMS – Dr Miranda Bane
A reminder that the next PBKA talk is on Tuesday 25th February 2025 7.30pm
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/
Online Talk: Monitoring pollinators with PoMS – Dr Miranda Bane
Tuesday 25th February 2025 7.30pm
This talk will be held online (MS Teams). Follow this link to join:-
Title: Monitoring pollinators with PoMS
Pollinating insects play a vital role in our environment, ensuring that many of our crops and wild plants can set seed and produce fruit. The UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS) are dedicated to understanding how pollinator populations are changing, and with your help we are gathering data on a wide range of flower-visiting insects. Our 1 km square surveys take a systematic approach, sampling insects from 95 1 km squares across the UK. Additionally, our Flower-Insect Timed Count (FIT Count) surveys are a simple method of measuring pollinator activity in any location. Anyone can take part and enjoy spending ten minutes watching insects visit flowers whilst gathering valuable data. This talk will cover information about both surveys, what we have found so far, and how you can get involved.
Talk by Dr Miranda Bane
Miranda Bane is a pollinator ecologist specialising in the interactions between plants, pollinators, and people. Miranda works as an independent researcher, collaborating with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, focusing on citizen science and urban biodiversity. She is part of the Scotland Team for The UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS).
PBKA Monthly Meet Up Eddleston Village Hall
Just a reminder that the first of 2025’s monthly meet-ups is this Wednesday, 7.30pm, at Eddleston Village Hall. All welcome – do come along and let us know your beekeeping plans for 2025, and tell us what you’d like the Association to do for you over the coming year.
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided (but feel free to bring a contribution).
Talk: Preparing for the year ahead – Matthew Richardson
7.30pm start at the Drill Hall, Community Centre, Peebles. All welcome.
Speaker: Matthew Richardson, President of the Scottish Beekeepers Association, a geneticist, and also a beekeeper for many years.
His talk is entitled: Preparing for the Season Ahead.
The talk will be also be live streamed and recorded (subject to the speakers permission) but we would encourage people to attend in person if possible.
Here is the MS Teams online meeting link:-
Test Post
Didi you get an email?
PBKA Honey Show 2024 Report
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.
Results
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 Annual Honey Show 2024
Venue: Community Centre (Drill Hall) Peebles 7.30pm
Judge: Alan Riach
Please have your entries at the hall for 7pm, as judging will begin at 7.30.
The Schedule for the show, which lists rules, classes and gives the recipe for the honey cake – 2024 11 26 PBKA HoneyShowSchedule
We have grading glasses, which will be available on the night for you to determine which class honeys should be exhibited in.
We have 2 frame display cases which can be borrowed if required: book with Mandy. (and contact her if you have any queries)
For further information, have a look at these guides for preparing to show honey, and the SBA guide for honey judges, which explains what the judge will be looking for.
https://scottishbeekeepers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HoneyJudging-Guidelines2014-A4.pdf
https://www.conwybeekeepers.org.uk/honey-shows/how-to-win-prizes-at-the-honey-show/
And most importantly – enjoy yourselves, and Good Luck!
Mandy
October 29th Talk: David Ferguson: Use Those Queen Cells
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).
Association Apiary Visit
Our routine 10 day association apiary hive inspections.
Lead Beekeeper: TBC
Assisting:
All welcome.
Times may vary – final details will be sent by email.
For venue location and any other information – contact Mandy