Peeblesshire Beekeepers Association

Peeblesshire Beekeepers Association

Talk: Jane Slight – Are you up for the challenge? Tue 26th Feb 2019

Are you up for the challenge?

Speaker: Jane Slight- Scottish Beekeepers Association Education Committee

Date: Tue Febuary 26th 2019

How the SBA can help you improve your beekeeping skills with its Education and qualifications programme.

SBA has curriculum, reading suggestions, notes and guidance for all levels to help you.

Meetings start at 7.30pm, in the Community Centre (Drill Hall), Walkershaugh, Peebles

Guests are welcome: any small contribution to the refreshments will be appreciated.

Pub Meeting Wed 6th February

The local beekeepers will be meeting in the back bar of the Neidpath Inn Peebles on Wednesday 6th February at 7.30pm.

A bit chilly for bees still but beekeepers can have a cosy evening in the pub.

There will be plenty to discuss about the upcoming centenary year and plans for the association colonies.

Bring along your questions, anecdotes and advice.

Everyone welcome.

Talk: Steve Sunderland – Lead Bee Inspector for Scotland – Tue Jan 29th 2019

Bees and beekeeping in 2018 and 2019

Speaker: Steve Sunderland – Lead Bee Inspector for Scotland

Date: Tue January 29th 2019

Our Lead Bee Inspector looks back on 2018 and plans for 2019.

A pleasure to welcome Steve back again, and introduce him to our increasing membership.

Meetings start at 7.30pm, in the Community Centre (Drill Hall), Walkershaugh, Peebles

Guests are welcome: any small contribution to the refreshments will be appreciated.

Pub Meeting Wed 5th December

The local beekeepers will be meeting in the back bar of the Neidpath Inn Peebles on Wednesday 5th December at 7.30pm.

The last meeting of the year.

Next year will be the association centenary. We will no doubt be having some discussions on how to mark the centenary year.

And there will be the usual beekeeping chat and advice.

All welcome.

Honey Market Stall 1st December

Honey Market Stall 1st December

 

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.

Honey Show 2018

There was a very good turn out and a high standard of entries at this years honey show on Tuesday 27th November.

The judge was Alan Riach, the Scottish Beekeepers Association President.

Alan gave informative and amusing advice to the audience about the judging process as he carried out his duties.

The dreaded “dust” and the odd stray bubble were the downfall of a few entries but generally the exhibits were of a high standard.

There was good competition in most of the classes and prize certificates were awarded to a good number of different competitors.

The John Stoakley Memorial Cup was awarded to Jock Thomson and the Andrew Stewart Shield to Peter Stevenson.

RESULTS:-

CLASS

AWARD

NAME

TWO 1LB JARS OF LIGHT HONEY

1

1st

Jim Brown

1

2nd

Chris Hastings and Bruce Watson

1

3rd

Janet Dutch

TWO 1LB JARS OF MEDIUM HONEY

2

1st

David Ferguson

2

2nd

Jock Thomson

2

3rd

TWO 1LB JARS OF DARK HONEY

3

1st

Jock Thomson

3

2nd

Jim Brown

3

3rd

TWO 1LB JARS OF LING HEATHER HONEY

4

1st

Jock Thomson

4

2nd

David Ferguson

4

3rd

 Jim Brown

ONE SHALLOW BAR (ANY VARIETY)

6

1st

Peter Stevenson

6

2nd

Chris Hastings & Bruce Watson

6

3rd

Jock Thomson

TWO JARS OF SET HONEY

7

Peter Stevenson

7

Peter Jack

7

David Ferguson

TWO PIECES CUT COMB HONEY

8

1st

Pater Stevenson

8

2nd

Richard Leeman

8

3rd

NOVICE CLASS: ONE 1LB JAR OF HONEY

(ANY VARIETY)

9a

1st

Janet Dutch

9a

2nd

Linda Haldane

9a

3rd

NOVICE CLASS: ONE PIECE CUT COMB HONEY

(ANY WEIGHT)

9b

1st

9b

2nd

9b

3rd

ONE PIECE OF BEESWAX (MIN WEIGHT 8OZ /225GM)

10

1st

Peter Stevenson

10

2nd

Jock Thomson

10

3rd

ONE BOTTLE MEAD IN CLEAR BOTTLE

11

1st

Peter Stevenson

11

2nd

David Ferguson

11

3rd

HONEY CAKE

12a

1st

Linda Haldane

12a

2nd

Chris Hastings and Bruce Watson

12a

3rd

Richard Leman

PHOTOGRAPH (6” X 4”)

12b

1st

David Ferguson

12b

2nd

Linda Haldane

12b

3rd

Jock Thomson

Honey Show Tuesday 27th November 2018

Honey Show 2018

Judge: Alan Riach

 

2018 Schedule & Rules

All entries must be in the hall by 7pm and should not bear any distinguishing marks.

Judging starts at 7.30pm, in the Community Centre (Drill Hall), Walkershaugh, Peebles.

The Association has one frame display case, which can be borrowed for the event – you’ll need to book it in advance from Mandy.

Alan is particularly good at explaining the quality and preparation of honey, so this is a an enjoyable learning experience for all. Although, sadly, Alan is usually the only one who gets to taste all the honeys.

So look out your best jars, combs, cakes and photos – and we’ll see you there.

Pub Meeting Wed 7th November

The local beekeepers will be meeting in the back bar of the Neidpath Inn Peebles on Wednesday 7th November at 7.30pm.

If you haven’t made winter preparations for your hives it’s time to think about feeding, mouse guards and winter varroa treatment.

If you need advice on this or any other beekeeping topics there will be plenty of opinions on offer from the local association members.

If you are a potential new beekeeper – come along and find out what it’s all about.

All welcome.

Prof David Evans Talk Tue 30th October

Dr. Bodgit goes beekeeping: DIY for beekeepers.

Prof Evans is coming back on Tuesday 30th October: “Dr. Bodgit goes beekeeping: DIY for beekeepers”. David (aka “The Apiarist”) explains how to: “Make the stuff you can’t buy … that works better … with as little bloodshed as possible”

It’s hopefully both fun and informative. He’ll cover making hive components – but not hives – such as roofs, floors, clearer boards, crown boards, split boards etc. He’ll also cover foundationless frames, nucs, honey warming and bottling. We’ll see how much time is left but can cover other topics as well. He’ll bring examples of some of these things (if they’re not in use on his own hives). There will be a smattering of beekeeping info thrown in as well.

Venue: Community Centre, Peebles, 7.30 start.