Meetings

Chris Parks ran a skep making course for Saffron Walden members.

Chris geting a build back on track.

Seven members attended the skep making course and all had something to show for it by 4pm when we started clearing up.
The most challenging bit was the start of the skep but under excelent instruction from Chris we all managed to get something built. Then it was a case of progressing the build. A number of different shapes and styles emerged, I am sure none of them were ideal if inspected by and expert.
We were all totaly engrosed in our skep build and in the afternoon session Chris broke the silence by singing some folk songs which required us to reply to his call. Some lovely voices from the ladies, the men were lucky to have Chris on their side as he too had a good voice.

Thanks to Chris ( The Skeppist ) for the instruction and to Steph for organising and bringing cake. Also thanks to Robert who called in for the afternoon and ended up making the tea and clearing up.

GEM
21/10/22

Some of our efforts - A skep is not built in a day.

Some of the skep makers

Meetings

Saffron Walden Beekeepers Honey Show together with a Bring and Buy Stall, Bees Abroad stall and Afternoon tea

Jane and Richard judging the entries.

We have been trying to find a format for a SWBK Honey Show which works for us. Steph should be congratulated on how it went the year. We had a good number of entries and some from Beginners. There were cakes, candles, and honey. We started slowly with the entries being submitted at about 15h00 to give Jane and Richard time to judge the entries and we then had time for a chat and the first cup of tea.

At 16h00 we were called to order and Jane and Richard gave us comments and feed back on all the entries. It was a gentle experience and should encourage us all to have a go next year. Although competitions are not the same as marketing honey, there is a connection. A well prepared competition honey will look well to a purchaser and will give one confidence that one's honey is value for the customer. All the trophies were announced and they will be presented at the AGM.

There was a then a second tea with cakes prepared by Helen. She had come straight from work to do this for us; many thanks for another wonderful effort. Will the face paint look be a new trend?

David Jennings and Linda Y were amongst several SWBK winners at the County show. Linda had a First Third and Commended in the Mead classes which gave us the opportunity to have a light hearted Good, Better Best competition. I can confirm that after tasting three samples it is a pretty good aperitif.

David had great success in the Comb Honey classes in the County Show and talking to him it became apparent that he had some great ideas to produce honey on Ross frames as well as on wireless wax. His introduction to his (and Donald Sims) methodology was fascinating and will give us all something to think about. Copies of "60 years of bees" by Donald Sims can be bought on line. For those that missed David's chat there will be another chance at one of his out apiaries in a Garden Centre in May. Thanks, David, for an inspiring talk.

The Bring and Buy sale was less successful but still provided a focus for conversation.

Mead, cut comb and soap on show.