Newbattle Beekeepers Association

The theme this year is - Bee Engaged & Bee Pollinator Friendly

7 Things You Can Do for Pollinators

PLANT FOR POLLINATORS

• Habitat opportunities abound on every landscape – from window boxes, farms, business & school campuses and roadside verges – every site can be a habitat.
• Utilise plants native to your area (or at the least, non-invasive for your area)
• Know your soil type and select appropriate plant material.
• Plant in clusters to create a "a target' for pollinators to find.
• Plant for continuous flowering throughout the growing season - Spring to Autumn.
• Select a site that is sheltered from wind, has at least partial sun, and can provide water.
• Allow material from dead branches and logs to remain as nesting sites; Allow patches of bare ground for ground-nesting bees to use; consider installing bee hotels for wood-nesting natives.

Bee Part of The Green Story and enter the Bees Abroad Prize Draw to win one of seven fantastic prizes!  The draw closes at Midnight, 20 May. You could be soon enjoying an overnight stay at the Royal Lancaster or Afternoon Tea at the Ritz. Every entry supports Bees Abroad beekeeping projects! So have a go and please share with a friend!

Buy Your Prize Draw Tickets Here

We all know the bee basics. They’re important pollinators. They make honey. They make buzz. They like to join you at picnics.

But did you know that they also provide us with medicines and even help keep our planet beautiful and healthy?

Take the FAO bee quiz and learn more about these tiny food heroes!

Quiz - What's the Buzz About Bees?

Due to a private event taking place at the college on Saturday 20 May, the main driveway will be closed from 4 pm on Friday 19 May until 5 pm on Saturday 20 May. There will be restricted access to the front of the college building from 8 am – 5pm on Saturday 20 May.

The visitor car park on the left-hand side of the main entrance, can still be used and those visiting without a car can still access the grounds.

The closing date to get your entries in for the Scottish Honey Championships is fast approaching!

Entries close on Sunday 21 May. You can enter online.

Take a look at the Schedule Here 

There are some gaps in coverage across the UK, notably central Wales, the North East of England and Scotland.

Would you like to participate or to find out more about the scheme? If your answer is Yes then visit  their website to find out more and request sample packs.  

Take me to the Website

Scottish Beekeepers Association

Annual Beekeeping Convention 

The Annual Convention will be held a Baldragon Academy in Dundee on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th September co-hosted by Baldragon Beekeepers' Association.

The theme this year is Healthy Bees. The speakers are Caishlan Sweeney, Kirsty Stainton and Lynda Davies.

There will be the usual trade area and raffle. Tickets are on sale now at £30 each or £15 for students and juniors

Buy Your Tickets Here

Tickets are on sale for the Bees For Development "Bee Garden Party" on 14 June, to be held in the private gardens of Marlborough House by kind permission of HM The King.

The party will be hosted by Martha Kearney, and Gyles Brandreth will be the auctioneer.

For Tickets and Information

Find out More Here

The Scottish Beekeepers Association  AGM was held today at the Loch Leven Campus, Muirs, Kinross. A small number of Newbattle Beekeepers Association members attended including Lorraine Aitken who received an award for her outstanding service to NBA over a number of years.

Lorraine with her award and below with the other award recipients including Matthew (standing far left)

Helen Nelson retired as General Secretary but was elected as a trustee as was Gino Jabbar. Our very good friend Matthew Richardson was elected President. We are looking forward to welcoming Matthew to Newbattle on 10 June when he will be part of the Scottish Beekeepers Association team of examiners for the Basic Beekeeper Examination. 

Synopsis : A few tips and tricks for first inspections; what to do (and what not to do) about brace comb, supering and queen reintroduction. Introduction The on again, off again, Spring this year has finally decided it wants to be here, rather than somewhere a lot further South. After an unseasonably warm February, March […] Read more of this post