Apiary Refreshments ~ Volunteers Needed

Dear Members,

As our Saturday morning meetings at Shugborough are now taking place we are looking for volunteers to oversee the refreshments on a rota basis. Nothing complicated, just ensuring tea, coffee, juice and biscuits are ready to serve after inspections have finished and everything is washed up and put away afterwards.

There is a rota up in the members marquee, we will need a couple of names per meeting, so if you could add your name against a convenient date it would be most appreciated.

As always, any members who would like to bring along a sample of their home baking for us to taste would be most welcome.

Regards

Alan & Chris Brewin

Apiary Coordinators

Your Invitation to the Grand Opening on Saturday 23rd April

Dear Members,

We are planning to erect our new marquee on Saturday 23rd April followed by the official grand opening of our relocated apiary at The Kennels Paddock on the Shugborough Estate.

Please come and join us from 10am onwards to help and celebrate with your beekeeping friends. Hot dogs, beverages and cakes will be provided for your enjoyment.

We look forward to seeing you.

Regards

Alan & Chris Brewin

(Apiary Coordinators)

Another Event Success

Dear Members,

Many thanks to everyone who managed to join us last Saturday for our successful frame making and box building event at Hilton Green.

It was rather warm working in the polytunnel but we managed to overcome the heat and complete the task in hand to the sound of some extremely loud hammering which was only temporarily interrupted to partake in refreshments and delicious cakes and scones home baked by our members.

Once again, huge thanks.

Regards

Chris Shaw & Team at Hilton Green

Just a few days to go……..

Dear Members,

Just a few days to go before our next event, frame making and box building at our Hilton Green Apiary.

Don’t forget to bring your pin hammer, pliers and a mug for your beverage.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday 19th March from 10:00am.

Regards

Chris Shaw & Team at Hilton Green

Caroline Beacall – our friend and contact at Shugborough

“I moved to Shugborough five years ago from Hanbury Hall where I joined the National Trust in 2004 first as an apprentice, then as a Gardener and a Senior Gardener.”

Caroline busy mowing for us in the apiary

In 2019 I became Shugborough’s first female Head Gardener. I lead a fantastic team and we care for, and manage the Walled Garden and Pleasure Grounds – consisting of Arboretum and formal garden.

Over the next few years Shugborough is going to see lots of changes that will help us conserve the estate whilst opening long dormant areas for our visitors.

I echo Hayley’s comment that this is complex and very varied project (see p2 – January 2022 Newsletter).

Everything at Shugborough is being considered. Saying that, it’s also incredibly exciting, especially with the developments in the Walled Garden where there are already several projects underway.

We’re also working closely with yourselves, SS&DBKA, to ensure that your future apiary is set up with everything you need, and in the interim, providing meeting room spaces, along with facilities at The Kennels apiary (water, electric and toilet facilities) and I will be joining you at your AGM in March with Hayley Mival, our General Manager.

Finally, I’d like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped move the apiary from the Walled Garden to the paddock at The Kennels last year. It is amazing what was achieved.

Best wishes

Caroline