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CHALFONTS BEEKEEPERS’ SOCIETY
NEWSLETTER – September 2007
Guest editor: John Catton
The public face of beekeeping
The weather held fair when the Society presented itself to the local community at the Chalfont St. Giles
Country Show on Saturday 1st September. We held our annual honey show, organised by Derek Taylor
(assisted by David Linsey) and ably judged by our good friend Vivienne Brown. Sheila Borwick and Sister
Mary Christa spent all day answering questions about bees and beekeeping in our “Educational” tent. Eddy
Gadd (and grandson) gave a daylong skep-making demonstration next to David Linsey who, when he had
completed his honey show duties, was helping members of the public roll candles. Finally, everybody loves
local honey and Allen Mitchell and Nick Grey were satisfying their needs selling members’ honey, other
hive products and cosmetics.
A huge amount of effort (as it does take time to prepare exhibits) by our members made the Honey Show a
real success. There were 103 exhibits to be judged (up on last year) meaning we could apply to the BBKA
for, and present, the prestigious “Blue Ribbon”. This is an award for the best overall exhibit in a honey
show with over 101 entries. I honestly can’t remember the last time we presented it, so congratulations to
Bill Fisher who won it with his 3 identical beeswax candles (class 11). The other “best in show” award, the
Welford Cup, was awarded to Nick Grey for his wax exhibits. A full list of the winners is on page 2.
Our grateful thanks must go to Vivienne for judging the Show.
Tuesday 25th September
at 7.30 and 8.00pm
This is the date of the members’ first meeting of
the autumn. Please note the earlier start time. It
is an evening of two halves.
7.30pm: A Special General Meeting is being held for
members to vote on the proposal that “the Chalfonts
Beekeepers’ Society shall become a charity as
defined by law”. In August’s newsletter Richard
Simpson clearly set out the case for the change and,
in acco