(www.eastlothianbeekeepers.org.uk)
Newsletter 133 May 2005
The oil-seed rape is well into bloom and my bees are back hard at work piling through the hive entrances. Some are so heavily dusted in yellow pollen that they almost look like wasps! I can also report that your committee has met and arranged the following summer program:
22nd May 2pm Apiary visit to William Fife, 12 Kingston Cottages, Kingston, North Berwick
4th June 1pm Visit from Edinburgh Slow Food to George Barton’s
apiary, Rhelonie,
18th June 2pm Apiary visit to Mark Hedderwick, Gifford Bank, Gifford – the last house on the right hand side going towards the golf course.
2nd July 10pm onwards Haddington Show – Association stall featuring an observation hive, candle rolling, honey for sale and educational displays
24th July 2pm Joint visit with Peebles Beekeepers Association to Pat & Isobel McErlean’s Apiary. Meet at Duddingston Kirk car park. Followed by a tour of Dr Neil’s garden. Bring a picnic.
Edinburgh Slow Food visit – Saturday 4th
June
We were contacted through the Association web-site by Slow Food Edinburgh – they are interested in food that isn’t “fast”. A party of 15 will be coming to George Barton’s apiary for a peek at the bees and the paraphernalia of beekeeping and to taste some honey related products. The more enthusiastic beekeepers the better! We hope to use this as a dry run for our display at the Haddington Show the following month. So please bring along your half baked ideas (and your fully baked honey cakes, honey scones etc.). Also, if you want to sell honey at the Haddington Show, please bring properly labeled samples to the Slow Food event. The same group will also be visiting George Hood in Ormiston later the same day.
Haddington Show – Saturday 2nd
July
Your committee is keen on grabbing a first
prize for our display at this year’s show. This is also our best way of
educating the public about bees and honey and of attracting new beekeepers.
Peter Radband has offered to repeat last year’s
highlight – his four-frame observation hive. We also plan to attract the
youngsters with a table where they can make their own candles, and to attract
anyone with a sweet tooth with a series of honeys for tasting. Mike Bain and I
are producing a new introductory leaflet. All ideas and helpers welcome.
Swarm Collectors
I have given the names of five Association members to East Lothian Council who are willing to collect swarms in their area. Let me know if you would like to be added to the list.
Wanted
Sandy Murray wants a swarm for an empty hive 01875 870928
Colin Russell has hives that need bees 0131 669 1790
Ian Robertson would like to buy a heather press 01368 869671
Margaret Dunning is looking for a veil and suit 01620 893058
For
Michael Saller, a Caddonfoot BKA member is having a sale of everything but bees on Sunday 15th May from 10am at Station House, 10 Station Yard, Clovenfords, tel. 01896 850293
Basic Beemaster
Through the winter Mike Bain has led a study group at the Tyneside Tavern through the syllabus of the Basic Beemaster Certificate. Five members will be taking the test in June.
Association Apiary
We are still trying to find a site for the
Association apiary, which is currently kept at George Barton’s apiary. We have
to balance the danger to the public, with accessibility and the availability of
forage. The committee decided against using
Library
Our modest stock of beekeeping books is very proving very popular – books can be borrowed at meetings or by visiting me. A list is in newsletter 129 and on the website. Kay Kemball has retired from beekeeping and has very kindly donated the following books:
Beekeeping for Beginners A. Richard 1991
Principles of Practical Beekeeping R. Couston 1972
Guide to Bees and Honey Ted Hooper 1991
The ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture A I Root 1990
Beekeeping – complete owners manual W. Melzer 1989
An Introduction to Bees and Beekeeping SBA 1980
The new starting right with bees A I Root Co 1988
Basic Honey Processing M Allan 1993
Bumblebee survey
Anyone who would like to participate should
look at the biological recording in
Introductory Leaflet
Mike Bain and I have put together a leaflet that we can hand out to the general public to introduce them to bees and beekeeping. If you have any improvements or comments send them to Mike or me please.
Membership list
I have again produced a list of those members who are happy for me to circulate their details, together with some other useful contacts. I have enclosed an application form for those who have still to renew their membership. Let me know if you can receive newsletters by email – it helps keep our costs down!
New members
We welcome the following new members:
Maureen & Allan Cameron, Angela Paul and Ann Howarth
who have been stalwarts of the Basic Beemaster
sessions, Sandy Murray who used to dealing with the wilder bees of
Donald Smith (Secretary)
Garden Cottage
Clerkington
Haddington EH41 4NJ
01620 822441 gardencottage@ntlworld.com