Well our 2nd Monday meeting of November started in the car park of The George in Brailes! The pub, it transpired, is now closed on Monday’s and a subsequent exchange of emails revealed they thought our 2nd Monday meeting was the previous Monday.
George Heighton however immediately came to the rescue as he has access to the Free School building* in Brailes, a short walk…..through the church graveyard. A couple of us waited outside the pub for stragglers whilst everyone else made their way over to the Free School building. Douglas meanwhile managed to rustle up some wine, biscuits, mince pies and, of course, mead.
(* Douglas later told me that Shipston AGM’s and 2nd Monday meetings used to be held in the Free School, so perhaps for one night we were returning to our roots!)
Fed and watered, 21 of us settled down to hear Douglas take us through the beekeeping year and all the things we could, or should, consider. The idea was not to provide a definitive list but rather to stimulate ideas and help each of us consider what we might do differently, or additionally, in our beekeeping in 2023.
After a short break David Blower MB, our Training officer, handed out certificates to members who had passed their Basic Assessment in the summer and also to the three members who passed the Bee Health Certificate.
The evening finished with the 100 Club draw. Thus despite the unconventional start a good 2nd Monday meeting was had by all