History of Meon Valley Beekeepers
The History of the Meon Valley Beekeepers
Association 1938 - 1988
Highlights taken from the publication of the
same name by J.H. Pugh.
The forward written by Sid Trenchard
Started in 1938 by Jack Tredwell with a few enthusiastic beekeepers in the
villages throughout
the meon valley.
Sid Trenchard joined the association in 1952 and remembers his early meetings in
the bottle and
jug bar at the Malt house in Meonstoke.
Through some difficult times the association survived and grew from strength to
strength. The
introduction of the very popular Christmas party and the reputation for good
speakers at their
meetings has resulted in support of the association from other local
associations.
Show trophies that can be won are listed as follows;
The Tredwell Cup - A Silver Cup - Given to the association by Jack Tredwell in
1939.
The Transenster Bowl - A large rose bowl.
The Colville Trophy - A Silver Cup with three Handles.
The Centenary Trophy - Made for the Meon Valley Beekeepers Association in the
shape of a
miniature WBC Hive.
The Applebee Trophy.
The prologue was written by Mrs F M Seaward and recollects
some happy memories of a time when
bees were kept in straw skeps in the 1890's and of the destruction of said bees
in order to
collect the honey.
A recipe for a pick me up given to her by Mr Snelling.
1 egg
1 large teaspoon English honey
1/2 a pint of fresh milk
1 small teaspoon of brandy (if liked)
Beat egg well and add with the rest of to warmed milk.
Miss Jenks who had two hives and remembered during the war when jars cost 3 old
pennies each
and honey was also sold in 7lb tins.
The Early Years.
1938 -1948
A meeting held to consider the formation of the association took place on the
19th October 1938
at Meonstoke School.
It was suggested that the association should be called the Meon Valley
Association.
1939 - saw the first recorded Committee Meeting. At this meeting the Meon Valley
Horticultural
show was discussed and the Honey classes debated.
It was also recorded that Capt E J Tredwell was to present a cup for the honey
show.
6th May 1939 witnessed the first out apiary meeting.
After July no more meetings were held due to the outbreak of war.
Between 1941 and the end of 1947 the entries are very brief but include the note
that it was
agreed that the association should become affiliated to Hants and IOW Beekeepers
association.
1948 - Records the Letter sent to them from the Ministry of Food concerning an
additional
quantity of sugar, not exceeding 5lb per colony, which must be applied for not
later than the
30th November. (Sugar rationing was still in force at this time)
Probably the first filmstrip shown to the MVBKA was entitled " The Diseases of
the Honey Bee"
and was shown on the 9th November.
1949 - 1959
Between 1949 and 1951 there are very brief records of few meetings. This seemed
to be a period
when the association almost cease to function. There is no record of AGM's at
this time or of
who the officers on the committee were. The highlight at this time is that there
is mention
that in 1952 Sid Trenchard joined the association and won the Tredwell Cup for
the next four
years in a row.
Again between 1953 and 1955 there is little recorded information.
In 1956 Sid Trenchard was elected as Chairman. One of the first things that Sid
Trenchard as
chairman presided over was the setting up of an Association Library.
1957 saw an increase in the associations activities - Meetings were held monthly
and Sid
usually took the chair, although the records of the meetings were very sketchy
but some details
suvived the recipe for furniture polish given by Mr Futcher of Portsmouth BKA:
Recipe
1 pint of turpentine
2oz beeswax
1/2 oz of toilet soap
Method: Heat the wax until melted and then dissolve in the turps. Dissolve soap
in 1/2 a pint
of boiling water. Add to the turps when nearly cold. Stir well and place in tins
or jars.
An alternative recipe was:
1/2 pint of turpentine
2oz beeswax
Method: Mix as before: but much more elbow grease was needed when using this
mix.
1958 and 1959 have much better records of the events and meetings of the times
which include a
demonstration of how to use your cigarette as a smoker, as shown by Capt
Tredwell. The Records
show that 1959 saw the start of the now regular April Cheese and wine party. The
annual events
were rounded off in true MVBKA fashion with the now traditional Christmas party.
1960 - 1970
Between 1960 and 1969 normal events and talks and meetings took place but in
1970 it was
reported that the County Association was preparing to write a constitution and
that all the
local associations were expected to do the same. However it was agreed that
MVBKA had managed
very well without a constitution and would continue to do so until told
otherwise.
1971 - 1988
In 1971 D Mayo's name appeared in the records for the first time. He later went
on to replace
Sid Trenchard as Chairman in 1984.
It was normal at this time for there to be only two committee meetings each
year. However in
1972 three committee meetings were held. In 1973 a letter regarding the BBKA
Centenary Year was
discussed and it was agreed that a special cup should be purchased and engraved
and awarded for
a special class at the honey show. In 1974 at a special meeting it was agreed
that £30.00 could
be spent on the Centenary Trophy. It was to be awarded to the best exhibit by
members only of
three or four of the following Light; Medium; Dark; and Granulated Honey in 1lb
jars.
A scale model of a WBC Hive was made by a friend of Doug Mayo this was mounted
on a wooden base
by John Tims and a stainless steel plate engraved with the words 'MVBKA
Centenary Trophy 1874
-1974' fastened to it.
This year saw appalling weather conditions at the show the end result was that
the Marquee was
blown down and the show was abandoned.
In 1977 Capt Colville informed the Association that he was no longer able to
continue to keep
bees and that he intended to donate the equipment to the association to be sold
at auction for
the benefit of the MVBKA.
An Auction (the forerunner to the first MVBKA Auction of its kind) was held at
Lupin Farm.
In 1978 there were 41 paid up members of the association and at one of the
committee meetings
it was decided that the association should buy a wax press for the use of the
members.
1979 - 1981 saw the establishing of the Annual Action.
1982 - The EEC Grant made of 61p per hive, as a sugar subsidy to members!
The annual auction was cancelled and support given to Basingstoke and Fleet's
Auction instead.
1984 - Troubled times for the honey show, having made bad losses over the past
two years and
serious discussion was needed regarding the future of this event.
This year saw a change at the Christmas party, which instead of games decided to
have for the
first time a speaker.
1985 - Another bad loss at the honey show was recorded this year and the
treasurer had to
report at the AGM that expenditure had exceeded income.
1986 - The honey show this year had smaller tables and cost less to organise and
therefore the
year looked a whole lot brighter. A constitution was drawn up and presented to
the 1987 AGM for
its approval.
1988 - Records show that in 1947 the cost of hiring the hall was 3 shillings and
6 pence, in
1988 it was £7.50. The tale told in the closing pages of Jacks history of the
Meon Valley
Beekeepers Association reflects the good humour and camaraderie always found
among like-minded
people.
The plans to hold a Fiftieth Anniversary Dinner at the west Meon Hut were well
in hand, and it
was hoped that Capt Tredwell, Mrs Seaward, and Mrs Philips would be present
among the guests.
The cost of the dinner and wine would be about ten pounds.
Mr Stewart Scott with his usual dry sense of humour, notified members via the
news letter that
the dress would be lounge suits for the men and gown less evening straps for the
ladies.
Some members queried the dress code for the ladies, however one lady member
wrote to Mrs Scott,
enclosing two beautiful hand made lace frilly gown less evening straps. The
letter enclosed was
headed 'The Upham Court Dressmaker by appointment to the Queen' and read,
Dear Kate,
It has come to my notice that you are unable to purchase gown less evening
straps. Will you
please accept the enclosed gown less evening straps with my compliments. From an
overworked,
worn out, underpaid beekeepers wife.
She received the following reply, addressed to 'The Upham Court Dressmaker'
Dear Madam,
I greatly appreciate your gesture in sending me the gown less evening straps,
which are works
of art in keeping with a court dressmakers reputation. Sadly the occasion on
which they should
be worn is very formal and they may cause consternation among the other diners,
but I shall
hope to use them on a more suitable occasion. I very much hope that you will in
no way feel my
explanation in the non wearing of the straps is a reflection on your kindness,
thought and
labour.
From a fellow beekeepers wife.
P.S. Please do not hesitate to borrow them if you wish.