local community, local life ...............
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Kilbarchan & District Beekeepers Association August means honey in the hives and the honey flow should be in full swing at the start of the month. By the end of the month, it’s time to take off the main harvest and enjoy the results of our honeybees’ hard work during the summer. That means lifting the ‘supers’ containing frames of stored honey ready for extraction, filtering and then putting into jars. For beekeepers it is also the month that can be regarded as the beginning of the beekeeping year as much of the new brood being reared, provides the adult bees that will overwinter in the colony, ensuring it’s survival. So, if the necessary preparations are not carried out then the bees could be facing a more challenging winter. However, it’s also a time when we can start to relax a little as the swarming season draws to a close and the risk of losing bees diminishes. Our swarm collectors have been busy in recent weeks with calls to investigate and gather up swarms of bees that have settled themselves around the country. Making stopping off points in some unlikely places including a garden trampoline. Unfortunately, a lot of their time was taken up unnecessarily with requests to remove bumble bee nests, which we do not do. The bees are still busy collecting pollen and nectar and Himalayan balsam, although categorised as an invasive species, is a favourite at this time of the year along with bright pink rose bay willow herb and bramble flower too. Traditionally, some beekeepers move their hives up to the heather moors now to take advantage of the flower for delicious heather honey. Not so many undertake the journey back and forth with their bees these days. Nevertheless, heather honey gathered in late summer is very special and attracts a higher price as a result. If you are interested in beekeeping for yourself, please contact our secretary via helenajbee@gmail.com who will provide more details about our association and how to join. We have a Facebook page which is reserved for members and beekeeping friends, but you can follow us on or Twitter @KilbarchanBees and Instagram via kilbarchanbeekeepers
Bridge Of Weir Horticultural Society Describing Scotland as the “driest part of Britain” is not a familiar headline but after below-average rainfall in June and a dry July, this was indeed the description attributed to Scotland! Gardeners - and those out walking - would have noted low water levels in burns and reservoirs and flagging plants in dry borders. In July, garden sprinklers were in use but there were warning salvos from SEPA and the Met Office about dry conditions continuing from late-July to mid-August and to water sparingly. NatureScot predicts that droughts will now happen every 3 years rather than 20 years, as before. In addition to keeping our plants and vegetables happy, we must top up bird baths and water bowls. It is obvious from the splashing and cavorting that birds love a bath and, from empty water dishes, hedgehogs are very, very thirsty. They desperately need access to water too during drought conditions. If gardeners thought they could hang up the hedge cutters for a while, hedges thrive in muggy conditions and require another trim. Technically we should not cut during the nesting season but gardeners soon spot nesting activity and can keep clear. The Committee met recently and after “housekeeping matters” had a productive exchange of ideas regarding the next few months, on the basis Covid restrictions will ease. Unsurprisingly, there will be no Flower Show. This opened a discussion on venues and the difficulties of finding a decent hall – with parking and access for participants as well as valued supporters. The lack of local facilities remains a problem for Bridge of Weir. Members then relaxed and chatted over home-baking and refreshments. This was courtesy of Members Gordon and Val who opened their garden for the meeting. Meanwhile, Members will have received Minutes and have been asked to consider the suggestions therein.
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