East Lothian Beekeepers Association

(Founded 1887 - Scotland’s oldest Local Association!) (www.eastlothianbeekeepers.org.uk)

 

Newsletter 143                                                May     2007

 

Winter meetings

There was a packed house for Ross Langlands’ well-researched talk on “Bees, Honey and Health”. Just when he had persuaded us to give anecdotal evidence less weight than controlled studies, up popped Sandy Boggon with a convincing anecdote about how he used his own honey to heal a persistent wound (see April’s Scottish Beekeeper). In March, four members visited the Moir rare book collection in Edinburgh and had their appetites whetted to read more of what they saw. Later in the month Graeme Sharpe made a welcome return to speak on “Honey from flower to jar” including the last in word in how to stop rape honey setting hard – you seed it, let it set hard and then warm it up enough to bottle it and it will stay soft, apparently. In April we had an interesting DVD night organised by Mike Bain, and your committee had a planning meeting, minutes of which are on the website. Thanks to George Barton, the Association apiary has been relocated to the Lennoxlove estate. Members are welcome to visit and work on the hives. Record cards will be placed in the roof of each hive. Does anyone want to be the apiary manager?

 

Future events

 

23rd May 7.45pm Talk by Enzo Nastati on homeopathic remedies to alleviate bee diseases at Rudolf Steiner School, 60 Spylaw Road, Edinburgh. (contact Foppe Jellema for further details, tel. 01875 833297 evenings)

26th May 2.00pm Apiary visit hosted by Mark Hedderwick at Gifford Bank, Edinburgh Road, Gifford – last house on the right if you take the road to the golf course out of Gifford.

 

29th May 6.30pm Tuesday practical classes begin at Association apiary at Lennoxlove. Hosted by Mike Bain as a continuation of his beginners’ classes, but all welcome. Approaching from Haddington on the B6368 turn left after 1 mile at the lodge house just before the memorial at Grant’s Braes. Meetings will continue fortnightly throughout the summer. In case of bad weather the meeting will be postponed until the following week but won’t affect the following schedule.

 

16th June 2.00 pm Visit to Association apiary at Lennoxlove.

 

7th July Haddington Show, 10am – 4pm, Showground on B6368 just past Grant’s Braes – as many beekeepers as possible to speak to the public about bees as something other than things that sting. We will have an observation hive, honey tasting, candle rolling, a pretend hive, mask making and lots of visitors!

 

21st July Day visit to Chainbridge Honey Farm – joint trip with Edinburgh and Midlothian Beekeepers Association. Call me for further details and to arrange joint transport.

 

1st October Talk by Brian Hateley on “Recovery of beeswax / solar extractor”, as part of the SBA lecture tour. 7.30 pm in the Haddington Town House – note this is a Monday.

 

Library

The Association has acquired copies of Celia Davis’s beautifully illustrated books “The Honeybee inside out” and “The Honeybee around & about”; both can be borrowed from me.

Colony losses

I have had several reports of unusual winter losses. I think it would be a good idea to get a general picture for the county. If you have (or had) bees, please could you let me know:

            A. Number of colonies overwintered 2006/7

            B. Number of colonies surviving to spring 2007

            C. Did the dead colonies contain bees?

            D. Did the dead colonies contain stores?      

            E. Do you have Varroa?

            F. Had they been treated for varroa – if so with what?

For ease of response why not send your answers by email or leave a telephone message. I will report back to the membership in the next newsletter as well as informing the SBA of the results.

 

Equipment for sale

Kay Kemball has very kindly donated a number of items to the Association. The committee has decided that a smoker, a metal double strainer and a comb brush should be retained for use in the
Association apiary. The other items are available to the highest bid sent to me by the 25th May.

            Smith travel screen                                         2

            Smith zinc queen excluder (unframed)           1

            Smith crown board                                         4

            Smith varroa screens (but too small?)             2

            Smith hive stand                                             1

            Smith Super                                                    1                      National floor                                                  1

            Queen excluder (smaller than Smith)              1

            Mouse guards                                      7

            Wooden entrance reducers                 2

            Box of metal ends                               1

            Honey pails with lids – large              2         

            Honey pails with lids – small              2

            Leather gloves with sleeves – small    2 pairs

            Sleeves                                                1 pair

            Veil without hat                                  1

            Hive entrance rapid feeder                 1

 

In addition there are some items donated by Sandy Murray:

            Smith super – flat pack                       1

            Smith DN4 frames                              1 pack of 10

 

A number of hives (without bees) are also available, Smith hives from Drew Stenhouse (01620 8296290) and National hives from either Colin Russell or Andy Sim (0131 669 1790 or 0131 669 4732). Drew is also selling a manual extractor, an MG heather press, and a set of National hanging section frames.

 

Member contact details

I have produced an updated list of members’ contact details but I can only circulate this to members of the Association. If you have not received a list and would like one then why not join us.

 

New members

We welcome the following new members to the Association:

Krystyna Campbell of Athelstaneford, Stuart and Sheena Cowan of North Berwick, Jamie Crichton of Innerwick, Dave Crosbie of East Linton, Jane McCormack of North Berwick, Finn Warholm of Coldingham, and Ros Weaver of Gullane.

 

Donald  Smith (Secretary)

Garden Cottage

Clerkington

Haddington     EH41 4NJ      

01620 822441            

gardencottage@ntlworld.com