Topic: Beeswax from comb to candles: Mandy Clydesdale PBKA
The practicalities of dealing with all that used comb: cleaning, filtering – and some aspects of health and safety. Which materials to avoid, what to do with your cleaned wax – and some basic information on candle-making.
Wanting to start beekeeping? Make sure you’re well-informed before you start, and avoid costly mistakes. Peeblesshire Beekeepers have been running beginners’ courses for 10 years.
Our course is partly online via Zoom (for talks on the theory) and partly practical. There’s a supervised practical day (learning to assemble a hive parts, handle bees, light the smoker etc) and throughout the year there are regular supervised visits to an apiary to enhance your skills and give you confidence.
The cost for the course is £35: this includes the talks, the practical day, demonstrations at the apiary (we can lend a beesuit): as well as one year’s membership of the Peeblesshire Beekeepers Association. Membership gives you access to advice and help, our winter talks, loan of some beekeeping equipment, and – if you’re ready to get started – the purchase of one of our small starter colonies (or “nucs”) of local bees at less than a commercial price.
Our next talk will be on Thursday 1st April at 7.30pm : Dr Mark Barnett from Roslin Institute will talk about “Mapping honey bee health and genetic diversity“
The talk will be via Zoom, an invitation will be sent to members by email.
Dr Barnett’s research projects have investigated not just honeybee genetics (in particular that of the dark bee), but also the microbial life within and on honeybees, which affect their life and health.
Our first winter talk will be on Wednesday 7th October at 7.30: Fiona Highet from SASA will talk about “Honey bee pests and diseases” – and will give us the latest information on these across Scotland. Make a note in your calendar – the talk will be via Zoom, an invitation will be sent to members by email.
Most of you will remember Fiona’s last talk – lots of useful information, a very knowledgeable lively talk followed by a lively discussion session. SASA Scientists provide an essential service to everyone in the farming industry – read about their role in working for bees and beekeepers here:: https://www.sasa.gov.uk/diagnostics/entomology
If you haven’t yet received your invite or need help with Zoom meetings contact Peter.
We’ll be meeting up again this month by Zoom video conferencing at our usual date and time – the first Wednesday of the month – 6th May at 7.30pm.
The format will be the usual mix of association business, news from the association apiary, beekeeping advice (given and received), gossip and general chit chat.
Beginners, regulars and anyone else are very welcome.
A meeting invitation will be sent by email. Please contact Peter if you need the details.