JUNE

14 January 2021
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BEES REQUIREMENT

Space for laying
Space for bees
Space for nectar flow

JOBS FOR THE BEEKEEPER

Inspect weekly for swarming
Colony health and colony expansion
Re-Queen if necessary
Add supers if 8-10 frames are covered

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A useful chart to help identify pollen. #pollen

A useful chart to help identify pollen. #pollen

St Valentine, the well-known Patron of Lovers –

St Valentine, the well-known Patron of Lovers – who celebrates his Feast Day on the 14th of February, has also been long recognised as a Saint Patron of Beekeepers since 496AD.

St Valentine, was a Roman priest who suffered martyrdom and was killed during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Claudius II Gothicus in the 3rd Century. While he has been removed from the General Roman Calendar in 1969, due to lack of reliable information, he continues to be recognised as a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church. One story about the priest recounts that, while preaching Christianity to the Roman nobility, he was jailed by Judge Asterius. While on house arrest, St Valentine was asked to prove his faith by curing the Judge’s daughter of blindness. By placing hands over the child’s eyes and praying, the Saint was able to restore her sight. The grateful father released the priest and became a convert to Christianity.

Unfortunately for St Valentine, he continued his mission of preaching and converting and was eventually arrested again. In trying to convert Claudius himself, the priest angered the Emperor who then sentenced him to death by beating with clubs and beheading, The situation was further complicated by the fact that St Valentine also became known for marrying Roman soldiers in secret–Claudius forbade young men to marry since he believed unmarried men made for better soldiers. After his execution, a letter addressed to the once-blind daughter of Judge Asterius was found in his cell – it was signed “Your Valentine…”
As a physician, St Valentine often used both beeswax and honey in his cures and was well connected with Honey Bees. And, since Bees have historically and culturally been associated with love (with honey being long believed to be an aphrodisiac. Yet another reason to buy our Multi Award winning Irish Honey!), it is easy to see how he became the Patron of Beekeepers – who also symbolise the protection of marriage and families. Calling upon his intercession, is also thought to ensure sweetness of the honey harvest and protection for those who protect the Bees. St Valentine is also a Patron of epilepsy, young people, and travellers.

A cross section of some stored flower pollen in so

A cross section of some stored flower pollen in some beeswax comb cells.

This will be used by the nurse bees to feed the baby bees. Also known as bee bread this carbohydrate is also a superfood.

Interested in learning more then bee sure to give us a follow.

#beepollen #pollen #bees #beekeepingtips #beeginners #pollen #irishbeekeeping flowerpollen #beefood🐝 #beebread #beeculture #beesuperfood

This was just one of the many beautiful capped Nat

This was just one of the many beautiful capped National super frames of our multi award winning Blossom Honey 🍯

Definitely a worthy contender in a honey show. #honey #rawhoney #irishhoney #blackwaterhoney #blackwaterhoneybeefarm #multiawardwinning #mostawardedirishhoney #cork #lovecork #tastecork #food #delicioustasting #localhoney #bees #nativeirishhoneybee #amm #apismelliferamellifera #darkhoneybee #chefideas #foodideas #breakfastideas

Section Comb Honey all packaged up. #combhoney #

Section Comb Honey all packaged up.

#combhoney #honeycomb #sectionofhoney #localhoney #multiawardwinning #irishhoney #blackwaterhoney #rawhoney #pureirishhoney #mostawardedirishhoney

Loving the small honey comb sections we did this s

Loving the small honey comb sections we did this summer.

These will be used for various taste award entries next year.

We couldn’t resist trying one ☝️ however.

Delicious 🤤 and as #rawhoney as you can get straight from the #hive and untouched.

#sectioncombhoney #irishhoney #mostawardedirishhoney #blackwaterhoney #honeycomb #localhoney #irishhoney #irishhoneybees #nativeirishhoneybees #bees #multiawardwinning #delicious #tasting #honey #delicioustasting #pureirishhoney

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Kind regards,

Andrew & John Shinnick (brothers)