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Kinross Show 2021 by Elna Chisholm

In mid-July the good news came through that the Kinross Show, after an absence of 2 years, would go ahead on 14th August 2021. As Enid would be on holiday at this time Jo Ramsay agreed to co-ordinate the event. The call for volunteers to set up on the Friday and man the tent on the Saturday went out to both associations.

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SBA Basic Beekeeper Exam 2021

The FBA and DWFBA encourage any beekeepers to think about taking the Basic Beekeeping Certificate. The entry requirements for taking the certificate is to attend a Beginners Class and look after a colony of bees for at least one season. The examination is a practical / oral “over the hive” assessment and has 3 pass grades: Pass (60%), Credit (70%) and Distinction (80%). 

It is a really worthwhile way to ensure you have all of the necessary skills and knowledge to help you become a really proficient beekeeper.

Information about the certificate can be found on the SBA website. Please do think about taking the examination, you might surprise yourself and get a distinction!

Here are some beekeepers taking their exam in Summer 2021

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Looking Inside a Hive

The continuing Covid 19 restrictions are making it very difficult for us all to meet at a local apiary to get some hands on experience of beekeeping. With this in mind we thought you would enjoy a little beekeeping quiz to see if you can identify some features of a hive. The photographs and quiz where made for the children at St Leonard’s School apiary by an FBA member, Jo Goodburn

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Feeding Bees in Winter

I did a quick feed check on all hives in between Christmas and New Year. It was good to see that in most hives the bees were quite far down, which is good. I placed a block of fondant directly on top of the brood frames as a safety precaution. The end of January into February and March is the crucial time. The queen will gradually increase her laying and more food will be consumed to increase the temperature in the hive. This is often the time of year when colonies starve. This whole operation took less than 1 minute. It is important to be quick and not let the bees chill.

Enid

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Bees in a Cavity Wall

As lockdown eased, a team of beekeepers (Enid Brown, Margaret Thomas and Jo Ramsay) removed a massive colony of bees from a cavity at a dwelling in Lethangie. A stethoscope was used to locate the exact position of the bees.  A handheld circular saw and a hive tool helped to remove the plasterboard so that the bees and comb could be reached. The bee comb was placed into a nuc box, the bees were hoovered up and all of the comb was removed … a very sticky job. The bees are now doing well in their new location.

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Learning in Lockdown

Even though lockdown has made it difficult to learn about bee keeping this hasn’t stopped the children of St Leonards School, St Andrews from using MS Teams to watch one of our association beekeepers installing a nuc in the school apiary. While FBA beekeeper Jo Goodburn handled the bees the P6 school teacher gave a commentary in the classroom as the children watched via a live feed.

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Kinross Agricultural Show

Saturday 8th August turned out to be a fine day for those stewarding the Scottish Beekeepers' Association display marquee at the Kinross Agricultural Show. The show was moved from the grounds of Kinross House and has been located by Vane Farm RSPB centre the past few years. The event was well attended and there was a lot of interest in the beekeeping display and observation hive. A dedicated team of Fife and Dunfermline association members ensured that all went smoothly and questions from the public were answered.
Saturday 8th August turned out to be a fine day for those stewarding the Scottish Beekeepers’ Association display marquee at the Kinross Agricultural Show. The show was moved from the grounds of Kinross House and has been located by Vane Farm RSPB centre the past few years. The event was well attended and there was a lot of interest in the beekeeping display and observation hive. A dedicated team of Fife and Dunfermline association members ensured that all went smoothly and questions from the public were answered.
Martin Kay (Fife Beekeepers' Association) and Enid Brown (Association President) face the public in buoyant mood at the Kinross Agricultural Show. It is not unusual for this show to have rain but this year was a pleasant change which helped to keep spirits up!
Martin Kay (Fife Beekeepers’ Association) and Enid Brown (Association President) face the public in buoyant mood at the Kinross Agricultural Show. It is not unusual for this show to have rain but this year was a pleasant change which helped to keep spirits up!