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 2023/24
Winter meetings have now ended, let’s hope the winter weather does the same. We are now looking forward to the summer season and summer meetings.
SUMMER MEETINGS 2024
We will be holding a series of apiary meetings throughout the summer. If any member wants to volunteer to host one, please contact our secretary here.
Meetings planned
June - Date to be announced - Justin Lanyon Olver (Hawick Area)
July - Sunday 21st July - John Wilkinson (Melrose area) Members can book here
July Date to be announced - Kate Atcheley (Roxburgh area)
We operate a booking system for apiary visits to ensure they are not overcrowded, details will be announced nearer the time. If you are a new beekeeper without a bee suit, you are very welcome, just let us know in advance that you will need a bee suit.
WINTER MEETINGS 2024/25 (All start at 7.30 pm and are held at Smailholm Village Hall)
September 11th 2024 John Wilkinson - Asian 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.
October 2nd 2024 Michael Scott - All about butterflies
Butterflies are important pollinators which we need to be aware of and promote
November 17th 2024 Annual Honey Show
Show starts at 2pm, hall open for entrants to display entries at 1 p.m. This year the honey judge will be Elaine Hargreaves.
January 22nd 7pm ON LINE
The associations annual general meeting will be followed by a t talk by Stewart Spinks from the Norfolk Honey Farm
February 2025 - David Evans aka ‘the Apiarist’ (on-line) - date to be confirmed
Great speaker, David who keeps bees in Ardnamurchan and Fife has one of the most followed beekeeping blogs in the UK
March 2025 - Danny Kings - Date to be confirmed
Danny is the gamekeeper at the Greeenlawdean Estates where we have our heather stances.
April 2025 - Justin Lanyon Olver - Date to be confirmed
Justin will talk about”Reading the comb”
PREVIOUS MEETINGS and EVENTS
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. We hope to reschedule.
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.
