East Lothian Beekeepers' Association

(Founded 1887 – Scotland's Oldest Local Association)

Newsletter 160 April 2012

Spring's here!

Just a quick newsletter to update all ELBA members on what's been going on in the Association and what we have to look forward to during 2012. The Association is able to supply nuclei of local bees, along with a limited amount of second hand equipment. If you are interested please let me know. We have had reports of a few losses despite the mild winter, perhaps suggesting our colonies are not always as strong as they seem. All the more reason to do the best we can to help them along!

Apiary Demonstrations Starting Soon!

The beekeeping season must be underway, because it's time to start up the popular demonstrations again at the Association apiary on the Lennoxlove Estate. This is a great opportunity for beginners (and anyone else!) to open up a hive under the guidance of experienced beekeepers and put all that theory into practice.

The demonstrations will be fortnightly at 2pm on Saturdays from 5 May until 30 June. There will then be a demonstration on varroa treatment and feeding on 25 August. Please bring protective equipment, including gloves, if you have it. If not there will be some veils available to borrow. If the weather is not suitable for beekeeping - wet, very windy, or cold - then the meeting will not take place.
Directions:
Leave Haddington heading south on the B6368, across Waterloo Bridge. Follow the B6368 right at the junction after the bridge. Continue past the first lodge building on the left. Turn left at the second cottage on the left and you should see beekeepers! Go up the lane and turn left where there is more space to park.

Success at the Science Festival

The ELBA stand specially put together for the Edinburgh Science Festival at the Botanics over the weekend of 31 March and 1 April was a great success. There was lots of interest from the public in the demonstration hives, miniature skep, real-life beekeepers and free tasters of East Lothian honey and honey baking. We proved so popular that we have already been invited back to next year's event! Many thanks to everyone who generously gave their time, equipment, honey and baking.

Hive Parts and Equipment for Sale

Ian Milburn is a former beekeeper who lives near Ormiston and has the following equipment for sale. Please email him if you are interested. Email: ianmilburn@tiscali.co.uk

Manual stainless steel tangential extractor for eight deep or shallow frames - in excellent condition.

13 honey buckets with lids.

8 deep boxes, 14 shallow boxes, 5 lids.

Several covers and separators.

Stainless steel smoker.

Honey cutter (for sections).

Dozens of deep and shallow frames.

Foundation deep wired, shallow unwired and wired.

Potential Site for Hives

A new ELBA member has a potential site available for two or three hives near Ormiston. If anyone is interested please contact me and I will put you in touch with him.

Dates for your diary

Haddington Show – Saturday 7 July

Gifford Flower Show – 18 and 19 August

SBA Centenary Event – 15 and 16 September

Jo Dodds – Secretary 01875 852916

joannawhittingham@googlemail.com