In line with our 2nd Monday meeting policy of arranging talks over the winter months Ray Pearce gave us a fascinating ride through the history of beekeeping at our 11th November meeting. We also had some beekeeping discussions, certificates were awarded and the 100 Club draw achieved a 100% record of someone at the meeting being one of the winners!
Discussion
Once everyone had settled down, had their tea, coffee, biscuits (thank-you as always Julia and Paul Neal and helpers) we did start with a quick catch-up on our bees. The discussion was a mixture of surprise (or not) that bees were still flying and indeed seen bringing in pollen. There were questions around feeding including a discussion around when fondant should be replacing syrup – the answer is any time now.
Talk
Ray’s talk was a multimedia experience, with some PowerPoint slides, videos and some examples of early(ish) beekeeping equipment that we passed round. One of the videos was a BBKA video ‘A Beekeeper’s Notebook’ and in places verged on the surreal. Another video was of the BBKA at the Royal Show in 1965. This led, for me, to the highlight of the evening when Ray wondered if anyone in the audience might have been there and Mike Clarke, whose many Shipston roles includes Training Apiary groundsman, Beginners tutor and honey-show prize-winner, piped up to say he was at the show selling tractors!
Awards
After the talk David Blower MB handed out some well earned BBKA certificates. Lucy Stevenson and Paul Neal received their Basic certificates and Graham Franklin his General Husbandry certificate. Well done all.
After the awards Carolyn Kramer arranged the 100 Club draw and Graham was one of the winners.
Then it was time to put chairs and tables back and head home. Next month’s 2nd Monday meeting, on 09 December, is our Christmas Extravaganza. Well, mince pies and mead might be involved.