dedicated to beekeeping

The Board Of Trustees

We have a committed and enthusiastic Board of Trustees who bring a variety of skills and a wealth of experience to the table, and make bold decisions to take the Association forward in a new and exciting direction. The one feature common to all is that they keep bees!

David McCrae
Chair

I am a relatively new hobby beekeeper with a couple of hives. The DSBA has been a great support and I have taken advantage of almost everything it has to offer - the new beekeepers course, the mentoring service, supplies, association meetings, social events and the great educational courses run by Ilona. I think the only thing I haven't used (yet) is swarm collection. Having used all these services I thought I would try and give a little back by volunteering - and have now been volunteered to be Chair. I hope I can do half as good a job as Paddy.

[email protected]

Ian Woodburn
Vice-Chair and Supplies

I volunteered to become a Trustee in December 2022. While the Christmas spirit may have had something to do with it, I was motivated mainly by wanting to become more involved in a fascinating hobby and to help support an organisation that does great work in promoting beekeeping and supporting beekeepers. My beekeeping experience of 3 years is heavily outweighed by my 35 years administrative experience in local government so I think my contribution is likely to favour the administrative and organisational rather than the technical where I still have much to learn. I have also previously “done time” on Golf Club and Scout Group Committees so, hopefully, have an understanding of the challenges of running voluntary/charitable groups.

[email protected]

supplies@dunblanebeekeepers.com

Andrew Kindness
Treasurer

I moved to Scotland over 20 years ago and as I approached middle age I felt it was time to either buy a classic sports car or take up a hobby. Having always had an interest in bees and beekeeping, when I found out there was a course run by an association local to me I put my name down for it. I took the course, realised there was far more to it than my naïve mind had thought and now some years later I’ve still not got a clue what the bees are doing most of the time. Also didn’t realise just how much this “hobby” would cost, in retrospect a classic sports car would have been cheaper. Having worked in accounts for over 30 years, due to a lack of other volunteers I was voluntold (as Paddy would say) into the Treasurer role when it became vacant (if anyone is wishing to take on the role however, please get in touch…).

[email protected]

Sheila Gordon
Secretary

After living for many years in the Middle East we retired to the middle of nowhere in the Trossachs and one of the hobbies I’ve thoroughly enjoyed taking up has been keeping bees. I did the 2022 New Beekeepers’ course and, against all the usual advice, took on two hives that summer and I’ve been learning on the job ever since. When weather permits I spend ages with a cuppa watching antics at the hive entrance or sitting reading under a tree buzzing with bees and have been over the moon to share a wee bit of honey from the bees each year. I’ve had a varied career in all manner of admin sectors and dabbling in natural therapies, including using Apis homeopathic medication, so I hope I’m putting those skills to good use within the brilliant DSBA.

secretary@dunblanebeekeepers.com

Scott Thomson
New Beekeeper Representative

I have been interested in beekeeping for many years and eventually joined the association a few years back. It was soon obvious to me that the association and all of the volunteers do a fantastic job of promoting the world of bees, but as a novice, I appreciate that things can seem a little daunting at first….and one learns quickly that everyone in the ‘bee world’ has their own opinion regarding what is the best thing to do and when! As beekeeping is complex, this makes everyday a learning a day when talking about bees…but having been a teacher for 27 years, that’s ok with me! Having recently completed the New Beekeepers beginners’ course along with my wife, I am happy to support all new beekeepers as their representative within the association, so please feel free to contact me and I will try to support in any way that I can.

[email protected]

Ellen Hall
Website and Social Media

We welcome Ellen to the Board of Trustees, joining to look after the Associations website and social media output.

Vacant role
Events

Having done a wonderful job at organising the Association events over the last three years, Carol has stepped down and we are looking for someone to step in

events@dunblanebeekeepers.com

Craig Webb

Trustee I’m a mechanical engineer and the owner of a sales and consultancy company providing process control solutions to a variety of sectors. I started beekeeping last year, taking delivery of 2 Nucs in June, after completing the DSBA beginners’ course in 2022. My wife Aleksandra and I joined the association in the same year. We enjoy taking our 2 golden retrievers, Sasha and Lola, out hill walking. They now have a few Munros under their collars! We are also keen gardeners and are currently trying to transform a field into a garden, which is where we have our apiary.

Morag Fraser
Apiary

My beekeeping journey began in 2018 with the DSBA New Beekeepers Course. What started out as a retirement hobby has grown into a full-time pastime. I have been involved with DSBA throughout, and have already served on the Board of Trustees. I thoroughly enjoy my contribution to beekeeping as manager of the Association apiary, working alongside a fantastic team of volunteers who look after the bees and deliver the practical training sessions. I am excited to return to support the Board as Apiary Representative.

[email protected]