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!

Morag Fraser
Chair

I joined the DSBA Board in November 2018 as New Beekeepers Representative, having discovered my interest in beekeeping the same year. My first career was as a secretary in the diplomatic service. I changed career path in my 30s and retrained as an osteopath (now retired). I am excited about my third career as an apiarist. I enjoy working with people and sharing my knowledge and bring my organisational experience to the Board.

Kenneth Holden
Vice-Chair

Married (to a very tolerant partner Elizabeth). Son of the Rock (Stirling born and bred). Semi-retired (will take the final step soon!) Officially started bee-keeping in 2015 (brought to the craft many years before helping a friend collect swarms and move colonies). Number of colonies varies from 2 to 6 (my preference is 4). Prefer Wooden Modified National (with one token WBC for the garden). Enjoy "working" in my shed (normally bee-related goods appearing). Little known fact: enjoy making walking sticks and crooks (again, in the shed) Need to work on: Time Management (where does time go?!). Getting better at: Being "crabbit" (so I have been told!)

Leila Scobie
Treasurer

I have been involved in beekeeping since the spring of 2017 after completing the DSBA New Beekeepers course. My partner and I had been keen to start beekeeping for several years and finally took the plunge when we moved back to Scotland where our location and garden size made it more feasible. As such we added to our mini zoo of 2 golden retrievers and 33 hens! I became Treasurer in November 2019 to which I apply my experience as an accountant.

Peter Hunt
Secretary

I started beekeeping in 1990, when varroa was appearing in south England, so I had about 15 years before it moved north. I belatedly joined the New Beekeepers course in 2001, when we could still be accommodated around Magnus’s kitchen table. I subsequently completed the Basic Beemaster and intermediate certificate, which is the first 4 modules. A couple of years later I became Membership Secretary and have watched the membership climb steadily from 40 to the current 200+. I’ve enjoyed mixed success as a beekeeper over the years supplying a number of colonies to members, and currently manage two colonies.

Paddy Sherrard
Member Secretary
Web and Newsletter Co-ordinator

I joined DSBA along with my wife Hayley and thoroughly enjoyed our new beekeepers' course and Association Apiary visits. Having decided to settle by Alva, our first two hives have now quadrupled and we take a small crop of honey each season, preferring to focus on the natural benefits for the environment and our bees. Every day is a learning day - whether with the bees, or working with the website!

Ian Woodburn
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.

Carol Kirkpatrick,
Events Coordinator

Graham Grant
Education Officer

Sheila Gordon
New Beekeepers Representative