The Newbattle Approach to Education: Part 2 by Neil Rutherford.

Introduction.

Last week Neil gave us a detailed account of setting up a local beekeeping association and developing an education and training strategy. This week he tells us how things developed during the pandemic. Where other assocations may have suffered and buckled under covid restrictions, Newbattle embraced the challenges and found new and perhaps better ways of improving education opportunities.

The Pandemic.

In February 2020 the Newbattle Beekeeping Association (NBA) membership attended a special meeting for members to adopt a revised constitution as the NBA moved to charitable status. Little did we know then that this would be the last thing we did as a group for some time.

Our plans, like those of most individuals and organisations, were about to be forced to change as a result of the emergence of the Covid-19 virus. The start of the virus and the restrictions placed on us by Scottish Government required the following responses:

• Suspend the practical part of the current beginner course
• Introduce a system of “Bee Minding” where experienced beekeepers paired up on a rota following strict protocols to look after all NBA colonies
• Closing of the Bee Academy
• Move all meetings online via Zoom.

It also led the resignation of Education Subcommittee Chair because Maurice Gallagher was required to spend more time adjusting to the situation at the University. I was asked to become the new Chair and was delighted to continue the great work.

We already had our Education Sub-group of eleven members from across an extremely wide spectrum. Some were very experienced beekeepers and some were beginners including FPs (foster parents). All members were absolutely aligned to our key objective. We started using Zoom platform meetings to create our new action plan which was formulated with some of the agreed priorities. Our Action Plan was split into four main areas:

• The FP’s/ Mentors and the beginner’s course
• Modular exams and certificates
• Schools and further education
• Outreach

Each area was allocated a leader to focus on the agreed actions and ensure their timely completion. Meetings by Zoom were held approximately every six weeks and they were short and structured. The focus and effort made by this group was outstanding and allowed us to continue to move forward despite the restrictions enforced by the pandemic. Some of the action included:

• To continue to support the FPs learning, we developed a monthly forum by Zoom. Following the well-known document “My Beekeeping Year” by Ian Craig, each month an experienced beekeeper led a session covering those activities using presentations, discussions and break- out rooms. Crucially, there was ample time for questions.
• Planning ahead in the expectations that the current FPs would not be able to complete the examinations in 2020, while also considering the next intake of FPS in August 2020 who had already invested in the cost of their training.
• Moving the Module Study Group onto Zoom and starting a second study group for module 1 so that there were always two groups going all times.
• Supporting Dalkeith High School in the setting up of their apiary and ensuring that they were still able to start the Nat 5 programme on time.
• Linking with other SBA affiliated associations to share Zoom presentations/resources.

As the restrictions continued, the action plan provided us with the ability to actively engage with our members and proceed with our education commitment. We managed to bring in our next set of FPs in August 2020 as intended, and, as a result of magnificent contributions from our membership, we eventually got 21 FPs (from 2 years of intakes) to take examinations. All candidates passed with distinction while 2 deferred their exam till 2022 due to personal circumstances, including the arrival of a new baby.

Current NBA Approach to Education.

The NBA Beginner Beekeeper Course remains the focus of our educational offering but we continue to develop our educational options. In 2021, we recognised that we had produced and enabled 21 new beekeepers bringing membership up to over one hundred. While we were providing ad hoc opportunities for our beekeepers to get involved with wax making, queen rearing and other activities, we were in danger of letting these members drift away because there was nothing regularly on offer for them.

Our solution was to introduce a new activity group which we call the Beekeeping Improvement Group/BIG. It is open to all qualified beekeepers and is a structured programme of activities going deeper and further into beekeeping skills and knowledge. BIG is led by Ewan Mealyou who is one of our experienced beekeepers and is assisted brilliantly by other experienced beekeepers. BIG immediately attracted 27 members who also signed up to be involved. This pathway leads beekeepers towards the SBA Intermediate practical exam, but only if they wish to do this.

With the retirement of the Newbattle Abbey College Vice Principal in 2017, Helen Nelson took over the running of the college six- week night class courses which she runs twice a year in spring and autumn. As a result of increasing demand, Helen is now running two sets of these courses twice a year thus doubling the availability.

School Beekeeping.

The initiative with Dalkeith High School (DHS) and their teacher Mr McGlade continues to excel. In the first year 6 pupils passed their Nat 5 exams. This year, there are more than 30 pupils currently looking forward to being assessed. DHS also have an after-school club for a younger group with an interest in bees. We have now agreed to replicate the assistance provided to DHS with arrangements being put in place to start Musselburgh Grammar School off on their similar journey. This is particularly pleasing because we all know that the younger the age when we introduce beekeeping to a population, the more successes we are likely to have.

In support of this, and, in conjunction with DHS, the NBA have started a Junior Bee Club which runs weekly in the warmer months and biweekly/monthly over the colder times. We have attracted a steady number of seven youngsters aged 12/13 years who are becoming more engaged with beekeeping. Following their induction, they have now handled a number of colonies, built frames, made wax products, and extracted and bottled honey. You can see our workshop facilities in the photos below showing senior members at play.

Junior Bee Club.

They were also very fortunate that Ann Chilcott was visiting the Bee Academy last autumn on a day they were meeting. Using two photographs of our bees taken that afternoon foraging on ivy, Ann gave an impromptu tutorial sharing her vast experience and knowledge with a small but interested group. By the end of the session, they were following Ann around like puppies, hanging on her every word. It was a joy to watch.

Of course, the Junior Bee Club also needs a lot of support to run but when I asked our membership for volunteers, I received so many offers I haven’t managed to involve everyone yet. I believe that this the reason why education at NBA continues to go from strength to strength.

Summary.

We may be a young association; but, in a short time, and through their own commitment to learning with NBA support, several NBA members have now gained multiple SBA modular exam certificates. Passing 5 modules leads to the Intermediate Certificate, while passing all 8 leads to the Advanced Certificate. In addition, there are the Intermediate Practical and Advanced Certificates, and the SBA Beekeeper Trainer Certificate.

Despite our young age, we have a growing number of committed and skilled members who are full of enthusiasm. They are ever hungry to learn and improve their expertise and enjoy the results of their efforts as they achieve SBA certification and go on to support both young and mature beginners alike; just like our blessed little bees.