Sutherland Beekeepers' 40th anniversary dinner goes with a buzz
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It was an occasion which certainly had plenty of buzz about it.
Sutherland Beekeepers’ Association marked its 40th anniversary last Saturday when members made a beeline to a celebratory dinner at the Church of Scotland hall in Brora.
Association president Diana Royce welcomed members and made particular mention of Colin Ridley and Alex MacLaren, who attended the dinner as representatives of the Easter Ross Beekeepers’ Association. Links between the two associations date back to 1983.
In an opening address, Ms Royce looked back through the years since the group was inaugurated on July 14, 1982.
She recalled: “It came about through the efforts of my mother, Aymee Thorne, the persistence of a local stalwart called Charlie Bell, who introduced my father to beekeeping, and the encouragement of Bernard Möbus, a notable German beekeeper who operated the Beekeeping Unit at the North of Scotland College of Agriculture in Aberdeen.”
Ms Royce paid tribute to stalwarts of the association who have given and continue to give sterling service to keep it going.
“If there was a ‘Golden Puffer’ award, it would go to Douglas Sutherland,” she said. “He was a committee member at inauguration, a year later he became vice-president and in 1988 he became president and continued in that role for some time.
“There, I am afraid, our meticulous minutes run out, but at some stage he took on the role of our treasurer, which he has been for the last 20 years.
“A big thank-you, Douglas, for all you have done for us over 40 years.”
She continued: “Other names appearing in those early minutes are Michael Baird, who joined the association in 1987 and is now our vice-president.
“A John McMorran appears on the scene in 1989 as a relative beginner and by 1990 he was our vice-president.
“A Mrs S Steven appears in the record of 1993. Sue has been our secretary for as long as I can remember and if there were any further awards they would go to her. She has kept us all going and gathering each year, while holding down a job, a huge polytunnel, a troop of hens and ducks and an extensive squad of grandchildren.
“She is simply a wonder and I thank her sincerely for all she does for us.”
Ms Royce also paid tribute to members who had passsed away in recent times including John Melville of Golspie, Father Ben Seed and Irene Joyce, who attended association meetings well into her late eighties and served as secretary for many years.
She spoke about the importance of ‘”friendship”, saying: “If there is one thing I have learnt over my long years of involvement with what is in essence this very informal club, it is that friendship is as important as our shared interest and one of the main reasons that we are here tonight celebrating 40 years of adventures in beekeeping.”
Sutherland Beekeepers’ Association would welcome new members.
The group meets monthly at different locations from April to September. For further information, email: diana@ballinreach.co.uk
