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.

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.

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.

Tuesday 28th January

Venue: Manor Village Hall

Location Map

Time: 7.30pm

Kate Atchley: beeswax and beyond, with Shani Sedgwick on making beeswax wraps

An interactive presentation about beeswax – its recovery, cleaning and uses with some advice on candle making, and on environmentally-friendly food wraps.

An informative talk, as well as a good forum to exchange your best tips, bring your favourite bits of kit, and ask for advice.

At the end of the season most beekeepers will have beeswax – damaged or dirty comb from brood areas and supers. If it’s been cleaned, it can be sold, or exchanged for sheets of foundation. Or you can clean it up yourself, and find a good use for this valuable by-product. Kate and Shani will show how prepare the beeswax, and suggest some ways of making the best use of it.

After the talk/demo, there will be questions, chat, and of course refreshments (any edible contributions welcome!)

2020 01 08 Pub meeting – summary.

The first pub monthly meeting of the year – a nice warm welcome for us at the Neidpath Inn, Peebles. We usually meet on the first Wednesday of every month.

Native Scottish Honeybee breeding programme

We currently have 3 colonies, thanks to David, Wilma and Linda’s efforts last summer. At Kate Atchley’s suggestion, she, David and a few members from other Associations, are going to meet up in February to see if there is scope to help each other out for this year’s breeding programme.

Beginner’s course

With several enquiries already about a beginner’s course, the dates 18^th April is suggested: to be confirmed. Mandy will check that Manor village Hall is available: please contact Mandy or Peter if you can help out in any way, and let us know which date would be most suitable for you.

Beekeeper visitor: 12^th/13^th April

A beekeeper from Texas is visiting Peebles April 12^th/13^th, would like to visit an apiary and buy some local honey (preferably 8oz jars). Please contact Mandy if you can help.

Braula

I’ve been asked by an ex-colleague if anyone has found Braula in their colonies: apparently miticides have been successful in wiping out not just varroa but also Braula, which might now be considered at threat! The Natural History Museum lacks any recent specimens in its reference collection. They are more likely to be found in untreated colonies (especially feral): I’d be happy to check out samples if you think you’ve found it.

Candles

Mandy has been donated a number of candle moulds – members are welcome to borrow them.

Observation hive

Bill Jack has been in discussion with Chris Sawer, about setting up an observation hive at St Ronans Wells, Innerleithen: he has offered to look after it, but some other local volunteers would be appreciated, and we’ll try to arrange a mentored session from a member with this particular skill. If you are prepared to help, please contact Mandy or Bill, and we’ll arrange for a mentored session.

Varromed

Peter Stevenson brought along a new miticide, Varromed, which can be used at any time of year, even with supers on, and is acceptable under organic farming rules. However, the £31.50 bottle treats 10 hives (depending on their size) and must be used within a month of opening. It was suggested that the Association could purchase this product, so that beekeepers with fewer than 10 colonies could share a bottle as well as the appropriate proportion of the cost. What do you think?

Nucs needed/for sale

If you need to buy or sell a colony, Mandy is happy to gather names and put people in touch with each other.

Honey tasting

Peter & Helen brought back some local honey to taste from their holiday in Costa Rica – always interesting to taste honeys from wherever our members have been holidaying, they find beekeepers everywhere! Will try and find a speaker next year who can guide us in tasting and describing honeys. (Any suggestions?)

Winter treatments

And last of all – a big thank you to David, who has been carrying out winter treatments on his own hives, Association hives, AND those of several members.