Queen bees rule at honey show
LADIES took the honours at the Olrig and District Beekeepers Association annual honey show this year, winning all the trophies.
There was strong competition from across the county at the event in the Drill Hall in Castletown, and the number of entries was up on previous years.
Association president David Bertram said: “I am happy with the increased level of entries in the classes as well as the numbers of people turning out to support the show. There has certainly been an upsurge in interest in bees and beekeeping in recent years which is very encouraging.”
The club had also invited veteran local beekeeper and apiarist Bill Bruce along to present Scottish Beekeepers Association certificates for proficiency in practical beekeeping to David Bertram and Carol Gunn, both awarded with distinction.
The beekeepers have recently been awarded funding by the Stoupster wind farm community fund and the Caithness and North Sutherland Fund to buy specialist equipment. Microscopes purchased with the money were set up at the show and allowed close examination of insects as well as pollen from different sources.
Results:
Honey and wax section – Two jars light honey: 1 Sarah Armitage; 2 P and S Tomlinson; 3 Anne Bertram. Two jars medium honey: 1 P and S Tomlinson. Two jars granulated honey: A Bertram. Two jars soft-set honey: 1 Carol Gunn; 2 A Bertram. One frame light honey: 1, and best exhibit in show, A Bertram.
Two containers cut comb (not heather): 1 P and S Tomlinson. One cake beeswax: 1 P and S Tomlinson; 2 A Bertram; 3 C Gunn. Any other wax product: A. Bertram
Baking – Honey shortbread: 1 A. Bertram; 2 Jean Seddon. Honey pancakes: 1 A. Bertram; 2 Bethany Seddon. Honey and date cake: 1 C. Gunn; 2 A Bertram; 3 Maureen Miller. Honey lemon curd: 1 C Gunn; 2 J Seddon; 3 Suzanne Tomlinson. Honey and cranberry flapjacks: 1 A Bertram; 2 C Gunn; 3 S Tomlinson.
Junior section – Collage picture of hive and bees: B Seddon. Honey bee made from fondant icing: B Seddon.
Trophy winners – John Sinclair Cup for highest aggregate in honey section, Daniel Gunn Memorial Cup for best exhibit in honey section, Olrig and District Cup for highest aggregate in baking section: A Bertram.
R. Matthews Cup for second highest in honey section: P and S Tomlinson. George Custer Cup for highest aggregate in comb honey section: P and S Tomlinson and A Bertram (shared).
Olrig and District Perpetual Shield for highest aggregate in junior section: B Seddon.
The next meeting of the Olrig and District Beekeepers Association will focus on honey tasting and will take place on Saturday, November 16, at 2pm in the Drill Hall in Castletown.
As well as those wanting to taste different honeys, the meeting will provide an opportunity for anyone interested in bees and beekeeping to go along and meet local beekeepers.
