277 October 2017 - Gryffe Advertizer

october 2017
33
Kilbarchan Beekeepers
Ivy is the last of the honeybees main
source of pollen for the year, and the
colonies are now full of the bees that
will see the hive through the late Autumn
and Winter months into spring. It is really
key that we don’t tidy our gardens too
much at this time of year and cut back
essential pollen sources such as Ivy, this
job should be left to late winter / early
spring where possible. Beehives are
now being prepared for overwintering, with some being loaded with Sugar
Syrup, especially if they have had their honey taken away for extraction by
the beekeeper.
At this time of year the beekeeper
is less hands on in the hives and
attention is turned to storing the
dry honey Super frames for winter,
clearing out old and damaged comb
and sterilizing equipment ready
for its use again in Spring. Also
honey extraction, wax and propolis
harvesting is underway and the
products from the hive turned into
jars of honey for consumption, honey
for making mead, wax for making
candles or cosmetic use (which
propolis is also used for). Propolis
is one of the lesser known products of the hive, it is a substance that is
from the resin collected from tree buds and sap and mixed with the bees
saliva and sometime wax, which the bees use for sealing gaps or unwanted
spaces in the hive, and sticking things together
to stop them moving. Propolis is said to have
antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
properties, and there is a market for this usually
in creams and tinctures for wound healing.
Shown are some pictures of beeswax and propolis
being used in Lip balms and moisturisers by
some of our Association members at the recent
Scottish Beekeepers Convention in Ayr.
KBA hold evening meetings during Autumn & Winter months in The Steeple
Halls, Kilbarchan between 7.30–10.00pm. You can come along and find
out more about Honey bee husbandry and topics, drop in to find out more
at one of the meetings below.
9th January
Evening Programme 2017/18
10th October
Frame & Box Building - Peter
Stromberg
14th November
Honey Show - Judge: Alan Riach
12th December
AGM ALL
Beekeeping DVD’s Peter
Stromberg
13th February
Products of the Hive Christine
Matthews
13th March
Microscopy Ian Craig & Peter
Stromberg
Woodlands
Fall is upon us. Our woodland trees are starting to turn into beautiful autumn
colours of browns, red and yellows such as the Birch, Maples and Lime.
Garden
Transition for summer into autumn now for example the Cornus Kousa
Chinensis in the walled garden with its berries now turning deep red.
The leaves are turning a beautiful yellow on the Cercidiphyllum japonicum,
The Katsura Tree which gives off a burnt sugar or toffee apple smell.
The shrubs Hydrangia potentilla and Clematis ‘Bill Mackenzie’ are still in
bloom.
The Herbaceous plants Phlox and Japanese anemone in Knot Garden are
turning. The apples and pears and picking is already underway and the
Nerine flowers in the walled garden are starting to appear.
Café
The Café is open weekends and over the October School Break from
Monday 16th to Friday 20th.
Events
Here is a list of our events in October.
Sunday 8th Identify Trees 1-3pm
Ranger led walk to identify trees – the tricky ones have no leaves.
Sunday 15th Conker Championship 1-2pm
Who will be victorious in the Finlaystone Conker Championship. Prize
for the winner.
Tuesday 17th Den Building 1-3pm
Join the Rangers and see who is a budding Bear Grylls.
Thursday 19th Autumn Woodland Art 1-3pm
Join our Rangers and gather woodland materials to make your artistic
Creation.
Sunday 22nd Spooky Scarecrows 1-3pm
Bring your old clothes and design your own
scarecrow (best ones will be displayed on our
Halloween walk).
Saturday 28th Finlaystone Halloween Party 6pm
till Late
Our Scariest Halloween Yet. Shudder at the Horrible
Histories and Fearsome Follies of the Frightful
Finlaystone Estate! Booking is essential.
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