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.
Continue reading “Visit to Murray McGregor’s queen-rearing apiary”
We will probably look back at 2020 as one of the strangest years anyone can remember. It affected all our lives – for some more profoundly than for others.
As the world started to wake up to the emerging Covid pandemic, Association activities in the first couple of months of 2020 proceeded as usual with a demonstration and a talk. We held a normal AGM, but national lockdown restrictions were imposed shortly thereafter and the annual beginners’ course was suspended half way through. Meetings for the foreseeable future were reluctantly cancelled. The Apiary and its bees were maintained, but member visits were not possible.
Continue reading “2020 Review”
See Ode to the Beekeepers here.
January 21st saw the premiere of a new film about beekeeping in the North East called ‘Ode to the Beekeepers’. Unfortunately, there could be no red carpet or champagne, because to comply with social distancing requirements the event was held online.
Continue reading “Ode to the Beekeepers”
I have been keeping bees since 2017. A few years prior to that I picked up a book on them at a friend’s house and was so fascinated I had no choice but to attend the winter lecture series and then get a few bees for myself. Since then it has got completely out of control with more than ten hives, and I’m not sure what I did with my time before bees.
Continue reading “Jamie Evans”
The last term of our honey year started 14 September with the SBA Convention hosted by us – the ADBKA – and a wonderful contribution by our committee members that helped to make the day such a success.
Continue reading “Late-season events round-up”
This year’s ADBKA days out started in July with a visit to the Zoology Museum on St Machar Drive, with a special treat arranged by Hannah to see some trays of insect displays that aren’t usually on view to visitors.
Continue reading “Days out: the museum, the barbeque and the heather visit”
Copy of an article from The Press and Journal, 5 May 2019, by Ellie House
[Visit the P&J link to watch the video.]
You would be forgiven for flinching a little at the thought of getting stung, but if you leave a bee to go about her business, the chances are, she’ll give you a wide berth in return.
This is the philosophy of Naomi Adams, who can spend hours tending to an apiary in Crathes each week.
Continue reading “A hive of activity: Why there’s a buzz around beekeeping”
Tributes to Lindsey from Olya, John, and Joan (edited):
Olya Kurasova Macaulay
The first time I saw Lindsey he looked strict and serious – but I soon learned that he could smile and laugh and had a terrific sense of humour. He was openhearted, honest and generous, and I had no doubt that he was a person I could fully trust and rely on.
By David Morland
Members will remember that last year’s Convention was held in the summer on one of the hottest days of the year, and in the middle of the swarming period, so it was decided to move the event until later in the year.
By Ian Mackley
Yet another successful annual Honey Show was held at Kinellar Hall on 20 October. The Schedule was significantly revised for this year, removing Classes where there had been only few or no entries in recent years in order to make the Show more manageable. Thirty-nine people submitted 169 entries in total. 2018 has been a good year for spring and summer honey but very poor for heather honey and this was reflected in the entries: 20 each in the light and soft-set classes, but only a handful of heather honey entries. Continue reading “The 2018 Honey Show”
