Caithness beekeepers put their honey to the test at local show
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There was a good turnout of entries for the Olrig and District Beekeepers Association's honey show despite it not being open to the public due to Covid restrictions.
The members of the association were delighted that the show was able to go ahead in November 2021.
Two new trophies were presented – the Bill Bruce Beeswax Trophy for highest aggregate in the wax section and the Olrig and District Cup for highest aggregate in the photography section. Both were won by Anne Bertram, who also picked up the John Sinclair Cup for highest aggregate in the honey section and the Daniel Gunn Memorial Cup for best exhibit in the honey classes.
Sarah Armitage won the R Mathews Cup for second highest in the honey section, while Bethany Seddon took home the Olrig and District Perpetual Challenge Shield for highest aggregate in the junior section.
Association president Dave Bertram said it was great to be able to hold the honey show in 2021, adding: "I was delighted by the number and quality of entries forwarded by members.
"This is the first time we’ve had a photography section which allows members who are maybe new to beekeeping or who don’t yet have bees to be able to participate in the show."
Entries in the wax section were significantly up on recent years and the association members were delighted to be able to present the Bill Bruce Beeswax Trophy for highest aggregate in the wax section for the first time.
For anyone looking to purchase Caithness Honey, it is available in many of the local butchers, fishmongers and delicatessens in the area.
Results
Honey Classes – Two jars light honey: 1 Phil Tomlinson; 2 Karen Hood; 3 Anne Bertram. Two jars medium honey and best two jars granulated honey: A Bertram. Two jars soft set honey: 1 Sarah Armitage; 2 K Hood; 3 A Bertram. Two jars heather honey: S Armitage.
Wax Section – One cake beeswax: 1 A Bertram; 2 K Hood. Six blocks beeswax: 1 A Bertram; 2 P Tomlinson; 3 K Hood. One pair dipped beeswax candles; a pair of moulded candles; one shallow frame foundation; one deep frame foundation and best beeswax model: A Bertram. Any other beeswax product: 1eq K Hood, Maureen Miller and A Bertram.
Baking Section – Honey shortbread: 1 A Bertram; 2 Heather Webb; 3 Issac Seddon. Honey pancakes: A Bertram. Honey and beer fruitcake: 1 Bethany Seddon; 2 Jean Seddon; 3 A Bertram. Honey and cranberry flapjacks: 1 Suzanne Tomlinson; 2 A Bertram; 3 B Seddon. Honey cake: 1 B Seddon; 2 J Seddon; 3 S Tomlinson. Honey and coconut biscuits: A Bertram. Honey lemon curd: 1 S Tomlinson; 2 A Bertram.
Photographic Section – Colour print, what bee keeping means to me: 1 K Hood; 2 A Bertram; 3 M Miller. Black and white print, what beekeeping means to me: A Bertram. Colour print, foraging bees: 1 M Miller; 2 A Bertram. Black and white print, foraging bees: A Bertram.
Junior Section – Honey buns: 1 I Seddon; 2 B Seddon. Iced and decorated cake, and best collage picture of hive and bees: B Seddon. Lego model of beehive: I Seddon.
Trophies –John Sinclair Cup for highest aggregate in Honey Section; Daniel Gunn Memorial Cup for best exhibit in Honey Section; Bill Bruce Beeswax Trophy for Highest Aggregate in Wax Section and the Olrig and District Cup for Highest Aggregate in Photography Section: Anne Bertram. R Mathews Cup for Second Highest in Honey Section: Sarah Armitage. Olrig and District Perpetual Challenge Shield for Highest Aggregate in Junior Section: Bethany Seddon.
