Author Archives: Emily Scott

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About Emily Scott

I am a UK beekeeper who has recently moved from London to windswept, wet Cornwall. I first started keeping bees in the Ealing Beekeepers Association’s local apiary in 2008, when I created this blog as a record for myself of my various beekeeping related disasters and - hopefully! - future successes.

Exams over – and the Bailey comb exchange begins…

After months of revising, I finally took the British Beekeeping Association’s Module 1 Honeybee Management exam on Saturday. It’s a relief to get it out of the way – I can finally start on the pile of non-beekeeping related books I haven’t … Continue reading

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9th Honeybee Management revision post: the value of honey, pollen, water and propolis

A 9th revision post for the British Beekeeping Association’s Module 1 exam, Honeybee Management, which I’m taking…on Saturday (arrrgh so not ready!). I’m at 1.15 on the syllabus: “The Candidate shall be able to give a detailed account of:- the value of honey, pollen, … Continue reading

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When it doesn’t rain, plant thistles…

Everyone has been talking recently about how dry it is down here in SE England. A hosepipe ban is due to start soon, London’s first for six years. Dry is and isn’t good for bees. Rain stops them flying (honey … Continue reading

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8th Honeybee Management revision post: honeybee feeding

8th revision post for the British Beekeeping Association’s Module 1 exam, Honeybee Management, which I’m taking very soon, on 24th March. I’m at 1.14 on the syllabus: “The Candidate shall be able to give a detailed account of:- the principles involved in feeding … Continue reading

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A Bath Bumblebee

I’ve missed beekeeping this weekend as we were away celebrating Drew’s 30th birthday in Bath. It was a beautiful day for the “Bath Half”, an annual half-marathon through the city centre, and whilst waiting for Drew’s mum to finish the … Continue reading

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The bees in March

After a chilly start, yesterday grew into a surprisingly warm and sunny day. The bees were going crazy. Today has been a definite umbrella day, wet and windy. That’s British weather for you. The pic below shows Rosemary’s bees zooming … Continue reading

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Bee Keepers’ Day part 3 – how the National Bee Unit protects our bees

A third post carrying on from my previous on last weekend’s Federation of Middlesex Beekeepers’ Associations annual ‘Bee Keepers’ Day‘. Our final speaker was Mike Brown from the government’s National Bee Unit. He had very kindly travelled all the way down … Continue reading

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Bee Keepers’ Day part 2 – Improve your bees and beekeeping-simply

A second post carrying on from my previous on this weekend’s Federation of Middlesex Beekeepers’ Associations annual ‘Bee Keepers’ Day‘. Our second speaker was Roger Patterson, advertised simply as a “Sussex beekeeper of great practical ability”. He will be well known … Continue reading

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Bee Keepers’ Day – The decline of insect pollinators

Yesterday I went to the Federation of Middlesex Beekeepers’ Associations annual ‘Bee Keepers’ Day‘. Each year the Middlesex associations (Ealing, Enfield, Harrow, North London, Pinner & Ruislip) take it in turn to host a day of beekeeping talks; this year … Continue reading

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7th Honey bee Management revision post: honeybee drifting

A 7th revision post for the British Beekeeping Association’s Module 1 exam, Honey bee Management, which I’m taking in March. Moving to 1.13 on the syllabus: “The Candidate shall be able to give a detailed account of:- the drifting of honeybees, the dangers … Continue reading

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