APRIL 2025
A fascinating talk by local Haslemere Museum Beekeeper, Guy Thompson, who shared his insights on the vital role of honey bees in our local landscape.
Key takeaways:
Varroa mite & bee resilience
🐝 Initially, Varroa mite caused massive colony losses. Beekeepers used chemical treatments but 30 years later, wild colonies are thriving, suggesting bees have adapted, and chemical treatments may no longer be necessary.
🐝 Initially, Varroa mite caused massive colony losses. Beekeepers used chemical treatments but 30 years later, wild colonies are thriving, suggesting bees have adapted, and chemical treatments may no longer be necessary.
Propolis – nature’s hive protector
🐝 A sticky resin bees collect from trees and mix with wax to seal and protect their hives.
🐝 Has antimicrobial properties and is used in human products like tinctures, creams, and sprays.
🐝 A sticky resin bees collect from trees and mix with wax to seal and protect their hives.
🐝 Has antimicrobial properties and is used in human products like tinctures, creams, and sprays.
Bees & plants – surprising sources
🐝 85% of plants found in honey come from trees, not wildflowers!
(Willow 29%, Hawthorn/Crab Apple 19%, Cherry 12%, Gorse 9%, Maple 8%, Holly 4%, Oak 4%)
🐝 85% of plants found in honey come from trees, not wildflowers!
(Willow 29%, Hawthorn/Crab Apple 19%, Cherry 12%, Gorse 9%, Maple 8%, Holly 4%, Oak 4%)
Social & solitary bees, moths and butterflies rely more on low-level nectar sources like wildflowers.
Did you know?
Some beekeepers feed their bees sugar, making the honey little better than golden syrup. Bees primarily forage for nectar, and feeding them sugar syrup could alter their natural foraging behaviors, leading to a disconnection from the environment they typically rely on.
Some beekeepers feed their bees sugar, making the honey little better than golden syrup. Bees primarily forage for nectar, and feeding them sugar syrup could alter their natural foraging behaviors, leading to a disconnection from the environment they typically rely on.
Very interesting indeed - I learned
so much about honey bees and many
misconceptions were dispelled!
— Judi
so much about honey bees and many
misconceptions were dispelled!
— Judi
Beekeeper at Haslemere Museum, Guy Thompson
Showing the parasitic mite Varroa
Did you know? Some beekeepers feed their bees sugar, making the honey little better than golden syrup!
Our native bee is much darker and better suited to the climate here – they don’t die as quickly as imported bees, so over time dominate in the wild.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
🐝 Beekeeper at Haslemere Museum, Guy Thompson
🐝 Showing the parasitic mite Varroa
🐝 Our native bee is much darker and better suited to the climate here – they don’t die as quickly as imported bees, so over time dominate in the wild
🐝 Some beekeepers feed their bees sugar, making the honey little better than golden syrup!
🐝 Showing the parasitic mite Varroa
🐝 Our native bee is much darker and better suited to the climate here – they don’t die as quickly as imported bees, so over time dominate in the wild
🐝 Some beekeepers feed their bees sugar, making the honey little better than golden syrup!
March 2025
It was a full house last night as we listened to local author Maggie McCune sharing the remarkable story of her fearless and adventurous daughter, Emma. Emma’s journey led her to Sudan, where she fell in love with and married a rebel fighter. Maggie wove her own experiences into Emma’s story, keeping us captivated as she recounted a life lived with courage and passion.
Warlord's Wife, an 8-minute documentary about Emma, is available to view on YouTube here.
Warlord's Wife, an 8-minute documentary about Emma, is available to view on YouTube here.
Thank you, Maggie, for your bravery in sharing your deeply personal story.
Our youngest volunteer!
The lovely Maggie McCune
Full house
FEBRUARY 2025
A huge thank you to Sasha from Sassy Does It for an inspiring and insightful talk about her journey as a female electrician in our community. From changing light bulbs to rewiring entire houses – including work on the Pirrie Hall electrics – Sasha’s expertise and stories gave us a fascinating glimpse into the world of an electrician.
We learned some valuable tips on keeping our homes safe:
1️⃣ Avoid overloading sockets
2️⃣ Choose safe, compatible chargers
3️⃣ Upgrade your lighting safely
4️⃣ Always hire a qualified electrician
5️⃣ House sales require proper certification
6️⃣ Keep water away from electricity
7️⃣ Fully unravel extension cables
8️⃣ Watch out for chewed cables
9️⃣ Use a socket checker for faults
3️⃣ Upgrade your lighting safely
4️⃣ Always hire a qualified electrician
5️⃣ House sales require proper certification
6️⃣ Keep water away from electricity
7️⃣ Fully unravel extension cables
8️⃣ Watch out for chewed cables
9️⃣ Use a socket checker for faults
A message from one of our members:
Thank you all for your warm welcome.
Sasha was amazing. She turned a rather ‘
dry’ subject into a party atmosphere!
— Maggie
Thank you all for your warm welcome.
Sasha was amazing. She turned a rather ‘
dry’ subject into a party atmosphere!
— Maggie
JANUARY 2025
A resolution is a call for change on a current issue in society. Once a WI resolution has been adopted, it turns into a campaign. Through national and local campaigning, members play a key role in achieving change on important issues.
The WI shortlisted resolutions are:
1. Let’s talk about incontinence
2. Bystanders can be lifesavers
3. Join the repair revolution
4. Eliminate landfill of medication packaging
1. Let’s talk about incontinence
2. Bystanders can be lifesavers
3. Join the repair revolution
4. Eliminate landfill of medication packaging
Every member has the opportunity to cast their individual vote on the resolution they support the most, the deadline is 9 February 2025. In our January meeting, members had the chance to discuss and learn more about each resolution. Each topic was fascinating and thought-provoking, sparking meaningful debates and discussions. The evening concluded with members casting their individual votes.
If you weren't able to attend and would still like to vote, please message Paula Burton with your choice.
DECEMBER 2024
We enjoyed a truly delightful and festive evening creating door and fireside swags using freshly foraged winter foliage. Bustling with creativity and colour, berries and bows, it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...
Aren't these beautiful?
November 2024
What a fantastic, festive evening we had at our Christmas Wine & Food Tasting which welcomed our members and their male guests. A huge thank you to Richard from Haslemere Cellar for introducing us to exquisite wines – sparkling, white, red, dessert wine and port – along with a most delicious selection of British and European cheeses, salamis, smoked salmon and Serrano ham. Last on the menu was Christmas pudding made by Crosbie's Cakes in Wormley.
Our Christmas miracle was the swift transformation of the Pirrie Hall from a nursery school into a fine dining experience. Thank you for all your support with this sold-out event and for your help in closing down at the end, we couldn't have done it without you.
The washing up fairies
October 2024
Thank you so much to Abi from Mane Chance Sanctuary for the beautiful presentation, there was not a dry eye in the house. Mane Chance rescues abused and neglected horses and ponies, providing them with care and rehabilitation. In turn, these animals become part of community programs that offer respite, educational and mental health support for individuals facing life’s challenges.
September 2024
We had an amazing launch event on 3 September 2024. We learnt about our rich local WI history, our new WI ethos and our programme of events for the next 18 months. We can't wait to watch WIBS grow from strength to strength.
