Category Archives: Uncategorized

Thoughts on beekeeping and mental health

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Emily Scott

“You are all mad!”, one of our apiary visitors declared, shaking his head in wonder. He had just listened to John and Andy talking about how to painstakingly prepare honey entries for the National Honey Show, including the best ways to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 37 Comments

Looking back on 2014, a fantastic year of beekeeping

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Emily Scott

I first started beekeeping in the summer of 2008, having taken the Ealing Association’s excellent annual beekeeping course for beginners in spring 2008. Since then, beekeeping has taken me on a journey I could never have anticipated – to exams, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 14 Comments

On the cusp of the solstice

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Emily Scott

Tomorrow – the 21st December – is a special day for me. It comes every year and always promises a new start, a return to life. It’s the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. A longer day must … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 22 Comments

A musical interlude…

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Emily Scott

A guest post by musician Joe Holiday, who contacted me via Twitter to ask if I could spread the word about his bee music. He says: “Hello Bee People! I have composed eight Bee songs and have recently recorded two … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Cats on guard

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Emily Scott

Inspired by bee guard-dog Lucky, Ealing Chairman Clare Vernon has kindly sent me photos of her cats Simba and LeoRex for our next Ealing newsletter and has also let me put them up here. She says “Fame for the Boys!! … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Please help find Arnis Zalkalns

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Emily Scott

EDIT: on Saturday 4th October a body thought to be that of suspect Arnis Zalkalns was found in Boston Manor Park. I am going to keep this post up in memory of Alice. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. This is not beekeeping related, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Time to smite some mites

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Emily Scott

This weekend it was time to replace our first lot of Apiguard treatment and put the second round of trays on. Can you guess which of our colonies had cleaned every last inch of their Apiguard tray empty and shining after two … Continue reading →

Posted in Disease prevention, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

All about the hunny

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Emily Scott

Long-time readers may remember my post back in 2011, ‘Bringing home the hunny‘. This was the last time we had a significant honey harvest. Back then we found our honey wouldn’t spin out in Emma’s fancy electric centrifugal extractor. By this summer the … Continue reading →

Posted in Honey, Uncategorized | 42 Comments

Starting a new year with the bees

Posted on August 23, 2014 by Emily Scott

It is time to start a new bee year. The last few months have been intense, involving weekly inspections and plenty of queen cell discovery, all leading up to the great honey harvest. Beekeepers at the apiary are asking “How much … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 26 Comments

We eat cookies and meet a new monarch

Posted on August 17, 2014 by Emily Scott

Yesterday I made these cookies before leaving for beekeeping. They’re apricot & pistachio cookies from a book called ‘TrEATs: Delicious food gifts to make at home‘ by April Carter. I bought the book from April after taking a cupcake decorating course … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments