We hold regular meetings of members in the Borders. Our winter meetings are a mix of face to face meetings and on-line.
WINTER MEETINGS 2024/25
January 22nd 2025 7pm ON LINE AGM followed by Stewart Spinks
The association’s annual general meeting will be followed by a talk by Stewart Spinks from the Norfolk Honey Farm. Stewart will give a talk on ‘Monofloral honey’.
February 10th (note new date) 2025 7.30 ON LINE - Kate Atchley - Native Black Bees
March 5th 2025 - David Evans aka ‘the Apiarist’ 7.30pm at Smailholm Village Hall
We are delighted to welcome David as a member of the association now he has moved to the area. David has one of the most followed beekeeping blogs in the UK. He will give a talk on DIY for Beekeepers.
April 16th 2025 7.30 Smailholm Village Hall 2025 - Gino Jabbar - Diversity in the apiary
Gino is a Scottish Master Beekeeper from Edinburgh
May 7th 2025 7.30 pm Smailholm Village Hall- Justin Lanyon Olver -
Justin will talk about ”Reading the comb”
PREVIOUS MEETINGS and Events
November 17th 2024 Annual Honey Show
Elaine Hargreaves was our judge at this year’s (2024) honey show
October 2nd 2024 Michael Scott - All about butterflies
Butterflies are important pollinators which we need to be aware of and promote. Michael will bring some butterfly and moth ID leaflets from Butterfly Conservation and also some Scottish Borders Butterfly Atlases which normally sell for £15 but will be offered to BBA members for £10 (cash only on the night).
September 11th 2024 John Wilkinson - Asian Hornet (yellow legged hornet) - the end of beekeeping as we know it?
Will the Asian hornet be come established in Scotland, what are the implications, what can we do about it? John tackles this very important topic which is currently at the forefront of beekeepers minds.
July 2024 - Apiary visit at John’s apiary in Melrose. We had a very interesting afternoon looking at disease management, a drone laying queen and looking for an illusive queen.
April 2024 - 21st (Sunday) 2-4 pm Smailholm Village Hall
One of our members, Anne McClelland speaking on "A Beginners' Guide to Wax, Comb /Section Honey and Mead, Melomel and Honey Beers and Drinks" . Anne has been very successful in previous honey shows, winning the cup for the most overall points at a couple of honey shows.
April 2024 - 10th April Smailholm Village Hall 7.30 pm- Willie Robson of Chainbridge Honey Farm
March 6th Smailholm Village Hall - Leitholm Bee Rescue team
January 2024 7p.m.- AGM followed by talk by Lisa McLeish (on line event)
Lisa is the community engagement officer for Go Wild and will talk about ‘Moths - the forgotten Pollinators’
February 7th Sadly our online meeting with Stewart Spinks was cancelled due to illness. This meeting has now been scheduled for immediately following the AGM (on line) on January 22nd at 7pm (AGM), meeting 7.30pm.
November 5th 2023 Honey Show
Here are the results of the 2023 Honey Show and here is the recipe for the winning honey cake made by Emma Tennant
Devonshire Cake.
125g Honey
110g Unsalted butter 50g Dark brown sugar 2 small eggs
150g SR Flour
I melted honey sugar and butter, brought it to the boil then left it to cool for 15 mins. Whisk eggs and mix with honey mix. Whisk in SR Flour until smooth. Bake at 160.
Melt 2 tbs honey and brush over the top.
Centre photograph Anne McLelland (overall winner of BBA Trophy), Kate Atchely (Steward), Enid Brown (Judge)
Photograph (right) Emma Tennant (winner of the novice shield, Kate Atchley, Enid Brown)
October 18th Smailholm Village Hall 7.30pm - Matthew Richardson (President of the Scottish Beekeepers Association)
Title of talk: Honey Bee Breeding and Genetics
September 20th Smailholm Village Hall 7.30pm
Question and Answer session from the panel
Panel Members (chaired by Alison Ramcharran)
John Dow and John Wilkinson
August 20th Association visit to Chainbridge Honey Farm
Always a great afternoon in the company of Willie Robson at Chainbridge Honey Farm
April 26th 7.30 pm Smailholm Village Hall
Kate Atchley will speak on rescuing bees from buildings
March 15th 7.30 pm venue White Swan, Duns
John Wilkinson - Preparing for the Season Ahead
At this session which will be the first face to face meeting of the season, John will bring together thoughts and ideas about getting ready for the season ahead. The session will be highly interactive with members being encouraged to share their own experience and ideas.
February 15th 7.30 pm by ZOOM - Ann Chilcott
Ann Chilcott has been keeping bees in Nairnshire since 2004 andcurrently manages 12 colonies in several apiaries. She is qualified to Scottish Expert Beemaster level and involved in education at local and national levels. She spends a lot of time on practical hands-on mentoring of local beekeepers, teaching children about nature and the environment, giving presentations, writing articles for journals, supporting her local beekeeping association in key roles, and sharing knowledge worldwide through her blog: www.beelistener.co.uk
Observations at the Hive Entrance
This presentation is about what a beekeeper can learn from careful observations without opening a hive and disturbing the bees. It has evolved over the years as the bees teach Ann many more new lessons, and it includes things seen a little further away from the actual hive entrance. It is a presentation thoughtfully prepared with all stages of beekeeping experience in mind, and its purpose is to share the joy of watching bees.
January 18th 7.00 pm by ZOOM - AGM and Ryad Alsous
AGM followed by Ryad Alsous talking about the BUZZ PROJECT. Read more about Ryad here. He has gained considerable interest in his project in the north of England which has received wide publicity.
