East Lothian Beekeepers Association
(Founded 1887 - Scotland’s oldest Local Association)
www.eastlothianbeekeepers.org.uk
Newsletter 150 April
2009
One of the joys of spring is seeing the bees taking pollen into the hive
– the beautiful weather over Easter saw my hives abuzz once again. A quick
inspection to remove feeders and mouse guards and add queen excluders and
supers (to some) showed brood in all, although to varying extents. I have had very
few reports of losses over the winter – quite a contrast to the previous two
winters.
With three of the four SBA Basic Beemaster syllabus evenings under our
belts, East Lothian beekeepers ought to be well prepared for the season ahead.
These informal sessions have been a good source of anecdotes and contrary
opinions, and everyone will have learned something. For example, inspired by
Mike and Rosemary’s methods, I have instituted a new improved record keeping
system for my own hives – a jotter (to be technically known as “The Book”)! The
final Beemaster session is on “Diseases, Poisoning and Pests” at 7.30 pm on
Thursday 23rd April in the Haddington Town House.
Association Apiary
Excellent though theory is, there is no substitute for opening up a hive
and handling bees yourself. Our President, George Barton, has taken on the
management of the Association apiary and will host sessions every Thursday
evening from the 7th May until the 30th July from 6pm
until 7pm at the latest. Inspections will not take place if it is wet, windy or
cold (< 11ºC) – use your common sense to decide if it is worth going – if
you aren’t comfortable in shirtsleeves then the bees won’t be happy when their
hive is opened up! George will lead most of these sessions, but any experienced
beekeepers who would be prepared to substitute when he is on holiday should
contact him. These sessions will replace our usual weekend visits to member’s
apiaries.
Nuclei
One of our main challenges as an Association is to provide bees for the
many beginners who are hoping to get started each season. Unfortunately, swarms
have been very scarce over the last couple seasons, partly because the summers
have been relatively cold and wet, but possibly also because feral colonies are
dying out because of Varroa. One way that we can help beginners is to provide
nuclei for them, and hopefully the Association apiary will be able to produce at
least a couple nuclei this year. However, there are many more beginners than
that! Any members who can produce some nuclei will find a ready market for
their bees – I’m told that a fair rate for a five frame nucleus with a mated
and laying queen is about £25.
Observation Hive
I have had an observation hive sitting in my bee shed for a couple of
years now – this was donated to the Association by Drew Stenhouse. I will
install some bees this year and anyone interested in “observing” is welcome to
visit.
Haddington Show
Our principal public event each year is to host a stall at the
Haddington Show – this year being held on Saturday 4th July. Ideas
for this year’s show include skep making (Maureen Cameron) and the very popular
“beekeeper making up frames” live exhibit (Michael Hill), as well as candle
rolling, the observation hive, display boards and the sale of honey from the Association
Apiary (George Barton organizing the honey and Rosemary Carthy and Michael Hill
doing the bottling). Would anyone like to take on the challenge of setting up
the display observation hive as I will not be able to attend the show?
A new Bumblebee record!
Following the talk by Bob Dawson of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust
last autumn, one of the members of the public who attended was inspired to
photograph a bee in her back garden. She sent the picture in for identification
and it turned out to be Bombus monticola the Blaeberry bumblebee – a new
record for East Lothian. There is an excellent identification guide on their
website: www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk/bumblebees_id.htm
Let’s not let the amateurs beat us at our own game!
Bees at Bhopal
One of our members, Eurig Scandrett, is involved in a project at a
Health Centre in Bhopal, India, where there is a garden growing medicinal
herbs. There were hives of bees in this garden until recently when they were
lost in a flood. Following a presentation by Eurig at our last evening meeting,
the committee agreed that the Association would provide a grant of £250 to
assist with re-establishing beekeeping there. This sum is roughly equivalent to
our annual income from honey sales at the Haddington Show. Eurig will prepare a
display about the project for the next show so that we can make a connection with
the project when selling our honey.
Beekeepers Quarterly
Mike Bain has forwarded the
information that the excellent “BeeKeepers Quarterly” can now be seen on the
web at www.bkq.org.uk This will be a free,
try it and see service to beekeepers for the March & May 2009 editions - after this there will be a small charge to
subscribe.
Equipment
Alastair Smith would like to acquire a nucleus box for Smith frames –
01620 829731. Drew Stenhouse has a honey extractor for sale – 01620 829629.
Kenneth Dickson has a selection of section equipment for Smith hives for sale
for modest prices – 0131 449 7916.
New members
We welcome Rosie Patrick as a member of the Association. Dylan Bell has
been co-opted onto the committee. There seem to be quite a few beekeepers from
Berwickshire coming along to our meetings or making contact with me. I though
it might be useful to put this group in touch with each other by email so that
they can support each other more easily. Let me know if you would like to be
added to this list.
If you receive this newsletter by post this will be your last mailing
unless you let me know that your wish to continue receiving newsletters or
become a member.
Donald Smith (Secretary)
Garden Cottage, Clerkington
Haddington EH41 4NJ 01620
822441