Peeblesshire Beekeepers Association

Peeblesshire Beekeepers Association

Events

Peeblesshire Beekeepers Association > News > Events

Learning Beekeeping Online

Next Session Thursday 23rd April 7.30pm

Zoom Meeting ID: 945-4233-4493

The current restrictions mean that our usual beginners day event has had to be cancelled. However we would still like to offer training, help and advice to new beekeepers as best we can. So we will be running live online interactive lessons instead.

1. We will use video conferencing service Zoom https://zoom.us/.

It’s very easy to use on phone, tablet, laptop or PC – instructions here:- https://www.peeblesbeekeepers.org.uk/?attachment_id=1485

The sessions will be password protected so you must contact Peter Stevenson at least 1 hour before the start of the session with your contact email address or mobile phone number so that you can be sent the password.

2. There will be a 1 hour session each week on a different aspect of beekeeping. This will be interactive so participants can ask questions via audio or text chat. It may be possible to share documents, photos etc as well.

Initially we will schedule 4 sessions but we will consider adding additional sessions if there is a demand.

3. Lessons will be free of charge but participants could make an optional donation to the association.

Suggested donation is £10 per household for non PBKA members. Anyone who pays the full amount will become a full member of the Peeblesshire Beekeepers Association on completion of a membership form.

4. If current restrictions are lightened or lifted we will continue the course on site at the association apiary.

At the apiary
At the apiary

PBKA AGM

Tuesday 31st March

Venue: TBC Due to schools use of the Community Centre (Drill Hall) Peebles the meeting may be relocated to Manor Village Hall

Time: 7.30pm

Peeblesshire Beekeepers Annual General Meeting

Agenda to be confirmed

Video Meeting Wed 1st April 7.30pm

I hope everyone is safe and well.

It would be really good if we can keep the Peeblesshire Beekeepers Association operating in some form during the current crisis.

The latest advice that I circulated recently says that:-
“You should continue to work and care for your animals in the normal manner, as far as possible. You should not take measures that compromise the welfare of the animals in your care.”

With that in mind, I have a suggestion on using video conferencing to hold meetings where we can share help and advice, and also importantly, to still keep some social contact.

If video conferencing sounds scary then let me assure you that it needn’t be. Just this week in our house we have done video pilates, video guitar lesson, video dance class, video tea breaks and so on.

Here are some instructions about using Zoom video conferencing

The short version is :-
Download and install the Zoom app from https://zoom.us/download

(It is free of charge). Wait for an email invitation from the meeting organiser and follow the instructions in the invitation. That’s it!

To try this out, I’m aiming to host a virtual meeting that would work in much the same way as we would do for our monthly pub meetings. In fact I’m planning on having the meeting at our usual time on the first Wednesday of the month – 1st April at 7.30pm

It’s really straightforward to use Zoom on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC – just follow the instructions.
So I hope you’ll be able to join me next week.

If you do plan on meeting up, maybe drop me an email or text beforehand so I can look out for you when the meeting starts.

If you need more help with getting Zoom running I’m very happy to act as technical support – you can get me ">at this email or on my mobile 07977 563545.


Shortly before the meeting I’ll send out an invitation and it will have instructions on how to join.

Really hoping to meet up with you soon,

Peter.

AGM Message

Dear PBKA Members:

The AGM and the forthcoming pub meeting will be cancelled, but Peter Stevenson is investigating the feasibility of an online pub meeting on 1st April. .

We hope it may even be possible to set up an online beginners course. If any members have expertise in setting up and using conferencing software, please contact either Peter or Mandy.

Mandy and Peter will send out the AGM documents shortly, and we’ll ask for your feedback in advance of the 1st April online meet.

We hope members will send us feedback on these proposals, and hope to make arrangements so that the business of the association can continue in some form.

Keep safe folks,

Mandy

Pub Meeting Wed 4th March

The local beekeepers will be meeting in the back bar of the Neidpath Inn Peebles on Wednesday 4th March at 7.30pm.

After a horrible wet February hopefully the bees will get some respite this month. Some mild air and sunshine should kick start the beekeeping season.

Come along for tips, advice, news and stories to get the season off to a good start.

All welcome.

Bee populations, native and imported

Tuesday 25th February

Venue: Community Centre (Drill Hall) Peebles 7.30pm

Time: 7.30pm

John Durkacz: on bee populations, native and imported

John has been a beekeeper for many years, and has a huge knowledge of things bee-related.

He was one of the initiators and founders of the Scottish Native HoneyBee Society (affectionately known to members as Snibs).

He has helped establish remote mating apiaries to help ensure the preservation of native honey bees.

He’ll be talking about – among other things – different bee strains, apiary locations, moving bees and bee welfare.