Please let me introduce myself as the new Chairperson. My name is Alison Ramcharron and I have been beekeeping out on the east coast for over 10 years. I had wanted to keep bees since helping my Dad collect swarms when I was growing up, and was excited to start beekeeping a few years after we moved back to Scotland in 2009. Before moving north, I spent 20 years working in large computer software companies and was happy to leave that behind when we moved to Berwickshire. I joined the BBA in about 2011, and benefitted from one of the first beginners beekeeping courses, delivered by Norman Jarvis, and again encouraged by Norman, sat my Basic Beemaster Course.
I am a very keen sourdough baker, and am a Trustee in a heritage grain Community Benefit Society, growing and milling ancient varieties of wheat and rye in Fife. This makes wonderful bread which is appreciated by our teenage boys, and a few friends who I bake for. I hope everyone bears with me whilst I learn the ropes, and look forward to seeing everyone at the meetings.
I’m sure that all members will join with me in thanking John Wilkinson for his sterling work as Chair of BBA for the previous 3 years or so. During the changes to online meetings in particular, he has been a safe pair of hands guiding us through the new systems. John has agreed to remain on the committee to ensure that there is a smooth transition.
2022 AGM
The AGM was held on 19th January 2022 on Zoom and was well attended. The meeting was recorded with everyone’s permission and the link to the meeting recording is here
The minutes for the meeting are on the website and can be accessed here
January talk
The AGM was followed by a really interesting talk and demonstration by Simon and Caroline Cavill from BeeGood cosmetics
Simon has offered Borders Beekeepers Association members the opportunity to by products with a 15% discount. If you would like to try the BeeGood range of skincare and gift sets, please go to the website and use the discount code bordersbees in the checkout to receive a 15% discount on any items.
Caroline has offered BBA members the recipe below for lipbalm
LIPBALM RECIPE
120g of Rapeseed or Sunflower oil
40g Cocoa butter
40g of shredded beeswax
1. Have a saucepan of freshly boiled water available to act as a bain-marie.
2. Use a Pyrex jug and pour in the oil.
3. Warm slightly in the microwave for about 2 mins
4. Add the beeswax into the jug with the oil and stir with a wooden barbeque stick or coffee stirrer etc until the wax has dissolved. Place the jug into the bain-marie to keep warm.
5. Add the Cocoa butter into the Pyrex jug and again stir until dissolved.
6. Pour into your chosen lip balm containers and allow to cool.
If you use beeswax from supers where you have recently harvested the honey, you won’t need to add any flavouring and you should have a lovely honey flavoured lip balm. If you do want flavouring, make sure it is specifically for lip balm and in an oil. Freshskin do some lovely natural flavours. If using lip balm tubes, to make the mixture more solid use 110g oil, 45g beeswax and 45g of Cocoa butter.
Syrup supplies
If any members feel that they will need supplies of syrup around April or May, please contact John Dow ASAP so that she can ensure that she has enough supplies and to confirm payment and collection arrangements.