Zoom talk: Tuesday, 11 February at 7:30 pm A lot of oilseed rape (OSR) is planted in Aberdeenshire. This can be a blessing and a curse but either way OSR cannot be ignored; if it’s… More
There’s no accounting for taste!
By Ian Mackley
About 25 members spent a congenial afternoon tasting honey on a cold afternoon in December 2023. It was great fun. Thanks to the generosity (and possibly smuggling skills!) of Member donors, we were able to taste 28 different honeys, five of them blind, from North America, Europe, North Africa, SE Asia and Australasia.
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Queen rearing for the hobby beekeeper
By Graham Torrie
Written an astonishing 414 years ago, Charles Butler’s book, The Feminine
Monarchie, tells us this about our honey bees: that they labour “under the
government of one monarch, of whom above all things they have a principal care
and respect, loving, reverencing, and obeying her in all things.” All the more
wonderful, then, that we hobby beekeepers are able to produce these amazing
creatures at a time of our choosing, for very little cost and with a modest degree of
expertise. In doing so, we can improve our stocks in qualities such as disease resistance, increase in honey yield, temperament, and reduced swarming.
January Talk – The Truth about Honey
Tuesday 17 January, 7.30 pm, online via Zoom.
Honey fraud is the third biggest food fraud in the world. This fascinating talk lifts the lid on the how, why and wherefore of honey fraud and adulteration, and the way that it impacts on the livelihoods of beekeepers around the world. We will also take a look at what is happening in the UK.
About the Speaker: Lynne Ingram has kept bees for over 30 years, and runs 15-20 colonies in Somerset. She is a Master beekeeper, holds the National Diploma in Beekeeping, and is an examiner for the BBKA written and practical exams. Lynne is involved in educating beekeepers in Somerset, running study groups and curating the popular Somerset Lecture series.
This is a members-only event. See the January Newsletter for the Zoom link.
If you’re not a member, and wish to join the ADBKA, please see the Membership page – here.
Integrated Pest Management by Graham Torrie
Thursday, 8 December 2022 at 7pm – Kinellar Hall, Fintray Rd, Blackburn, Aberdeen
Vital information for the wellbeing of your overwintering colonies and their ongoing health, and your honey harvest!
ADBKA Annual Convention 2022
5 November 2022
09:30 – 16:30
TECA Hilton Hotel, East Burn Road, Stoneywood, Aberdeen AB21 9FX
Booking: Eventbrite
A fascinating day is in prospect at this year’s members’ convention. The UK’s largest bee farmer, Murray McGregor, will talk about his life in beekeeping, and will highlight some of the differences in approach between hobbyists and professionals. Many members have previously visited Murray at his base in Coupar Angus or at one of his out-apiaries, and others have improved their stocks by purchasing “Jolanta’s queens”. Our second speaker is well known local beekeeper, Stephen Palmer, who will talk about the challenges of beekeeping in Aberdeenshire’s ‘arable desert’, and also about some of the special equipment that he has found useful in his 40 years’ practice of the craft. The day will be rounded off with a panel discussion, a quiz and a prize draw – the full programme will be available shortly. This is an opportunity to get together and discuss beekeeping with like-minded friends and experts in comfortable surroundings – the event will take place from 09:30 till 16:30 at the TECA Hilton hotel which is located beside the new P&J Live Conference Centre in Dyce. The Convention will cost £30 to attend. This rate is being subsidised by the Association, and includes lunch, refreshments throughout the day, and parking. It would help the committee if those wishing to attend could book early, so that numbers can be managed. To book your place please use this link to the Eventbrite system.
Honey, please don’t go
HONEY, PLEASE DON’T GO
In the beautiful opening passage of his epic poem The Song of Hiawatha, HW Longfellow has his subject waiting, watching from the doorway of his wigwam:
Continue reading “Honey, please don’t go”All the air was full of freshness, All the earth was bright and joyous, And before him, through the sunshine, Westward toward the neighboring forest, Passed in golden swarms the Ahmo, Passed the bees, the honey-makers, Burning, singing in the sunshine.
Ian Forbes and John Beedie Memorial Library
We are very pleased to be able to offer our members the opportunity to borrow a wide range of books on bees and beekeeping free of charge. Our library collection is approaching 200 titles, dating back as far as 1912. We also hold many up-to-date publications. Whether you’re studying for your beekeeping examinations or just seeking more information on our shared passion, there’s sure to be something here to meet your needs. Members can view the catalogue by following the link from the Members’ Index Page.
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2021 Convention
What a great day we had at our annual beekeeping convention, held on 6 November at the Aberdeen Airport Dyce Hotel. We were privileged to hear from two experts in their respective fields: Lead Bee Inspector for Scotland, Luis Molero, and BBKA Master Beekeeper, Graham Royle.
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2021 Honey Show
On the 9th of October, after a two-year hiatus, Aberdeen and District Beekeepers Association’s annual honey show came back with a bang. Having had to cancel last year’s show due to Covid restrictions, it was great to see our members gather again in a celebration of beekeeping and the products of the hive, after what has been for many of us a bumper season.
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Visit to Murray McGregor’s queen-rearing apiary
Every year Murray McGregor invites members of ADBKA to visit his queen-rearing apiary in Blairgowrie. This year, due to some Covid restrictions, only thirty lucky visitors were allowed to come. Most of us know Murray and his colleague, Jolanta, who is the “Chief” of the “queen-rearing factory”. This year we were pleased to also meet Murray’s daughter Linnet.
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