FYI
Check out David Attenboroughs ASIA on BBC iplayer. Series 1, Episode 4, 40 mins in. A very good 5 minute feature on the Yellow-Legged Hornet (Asian Hornet) and what it can do to your bee colonies!
Waxed Fir Cone Firelighters.
So here is a simple Christmas Idea from Roger & Pam to use up some leftover wax.......
I must stress that the reference to wax here is from the leftovers of old candles and those gifts of candles that are so badly designed that they won't burn properly. The idea for this came from the preparation for items for the sales table at a church Christmas Fair and the dislike of throwing anything away, even old wax. Once the idea caught on there was no shortage of donations from friends.
Equipment required.
Old saucepan for gently melting the wax, tin can with a pouring lip created and suitable containers for holding the cones, such as ramekins. Warm oven to ensure that the cones are good and dry and as open as possible.
Method.
Pour a suitable amount of wax into the tin can then add a small amount of wax into each of the containers and place a fir cone into the wax and allow to set. Once cool pour in sufficient wax to cover half the cone allowing the wax to penetrate. Once cool remove from container and repeat.
Improvements
The cones can be improved for decorative display purposes by sprinkling glitter etc. whilst the final coloured wax coating is solidifying.
Some instructional Pics can be found below.
DIARY
JANUARY
Wednesday 22nd - 7.30pm on Zoom, Gino Jabar will talk to us about 'The Sacred Bee'
FEBRUARY
Wednesday 19th - 7.30pm on Zoom, Jack Sillberrad will give a talk entitled "99p or EFB"
MARCH
Wednesday 19th - 7.30pm Bron and David Wright will come to speak to us at St Clements Hall about 'Bees and Trees'.
APRIL
Wednesday16th - 7.30pm AGM and Quiz
Galleries Honey Delights 27/11/24
On any galleries of images on this website, click an image to enlarge it and then use the arrows to view them.
The "Latest news" column will be regularly updated with what's new for the Association.
We will continue to keep you up to date with emails. Feel free to use our Facebook page to communicate with your fellow members.
Recent events:
Wednesday 27th 7.30pm
Caroline MacKenzie gave an entertaining presentation entitled "Honey Delights". There were many flavoured honeys along with the many 'add ins' that can be used to suit your palate. Barbara Gray gave a short demo on honey butter.
After the presentations there were lots of tastings of the different honeys, butters and also some of the honey samples that members brought to add to the mix.
Jo Young did a short presentation on the candle moulds that the association have for members use.
Certificates were presented to a number of members who completed their Basic Bee Keeping Certificate.
Saturday 19th 2.00pm Candle Making with David Edes. David ran a candle making workshop for up to 8 members.
Thursday 10th October - Angie gave a talk to Primary 6/7 classes at Avoch Primary School.
Saturday 5th October - D&DBKA Honey Show - judge was Alan Riach, Education Officer, SBA. Held at Munro's Nurseries, Munlochy.
Wednesday 18th September - Arthur Hill gave a short talk on 'A Victor Meldrew vision of modern beekeeping' before introducing Clifford Smith, our friendly Environmental Health Officer who talked about safely processing our honey. Caroline Mackenzie will then give a chat about preparation and tips for the Honey Show.
Saturday 7th September - Feil Maree - a community event in Dingwall. Photos available in Gallery.
Saturday 24th August - Black Isle Food and Drink Festival - a well-attended demonstration of honey-associated products conducted by Caroline Mackenzie and Barbara Gray. Photos available in Gallery.
Friday 9th August - Barbara Gray hosted a meeting on the subject of assessing varroa levels and treatment options. Photographs, courtesy of Angie and David, are available here and in the Gallery.
Monday 5th August - Angie gave a talk to the Fortrose Guides. Photograph in Gallery.
Saturday 27th July- Arthur Hill's apiary at Scatwell. Refreshments were made available at the Community Centre for a donation to the community. It was great to be able to enjoy the conditions and get to socialise on this, the first outdoor session of the year - remarkable!
Saturday 29th June- Kay Liston Apiary visit - Loch Carron. Again another indoor chat due to poor conditions.
Wednesday 19th June - Jo and Stuart Young Apiary visit, Aigas. Poor conditions so an indoor chat.
Friday 31st May- Barbara Gray held a 2nd session for Beginners at her Culbokie Apiary.
Wednesday/Thursday 29th/30th MayThe Association was invited by RHET to provide educational sessions for some S1 children on at the Black Isle Showground for Primary 5-7 on the Importance of Pollinators to Food Production.
Friday 17th May - Barbara Gray hosted a session for Beginners at her Culbokie Apiary.
Tuesday 14th May The Association was invited by RHET to provide educational sessions for some S1 children at Fortrose Academy on 14th May on Food.
Saturday 27th April AGM of SBA - Spectrum Centre, Inverness. Our Association and Inverness-shire co-hosted the event at the Spectrum Centre in Inverness. The SBA AGM business will take place in the morning and there was 3 talks in the afternoon with something to interest all beekeepers.
Saturday 20th April 10am-4pm at Culloden Baptist Church, Wellside, Balloch IV2 7GS. Andrew Card of Loch Ness Honey organised a visit from Abelo with their Equipment Trade Show. We were delighted with our reception at the Show, meeting members and prospective new members and spending more money than intended! Thanks, Andrew Card.
Memberships are renewed as from the April AGM. A link to the membership/ renewal form can be found on the "Joining the Association" page. A new password will be forwarded to you by the Membership Secretary.