It is easy to make candles with your surplus wax. I'm not talking about fancy show candles, but just small standard candles for yourself and family, from which the honeyed aroma will remind you of your hives in summer.

For moulds you need some small cylindrical containers. The plastic pill pots that contain things like vitamin tablets are ideal (you may have to cut the narrow neck off some), or any plastic tube cut to the required length and the bottom end closed with plasticine drawn 2" up the sides of the tube to prevent leaks.

It is best to use the correct wick, which comes in different sizes according to the diameter of the candle. If bought at a craft shop allow for beeswax candles requiring nearly double the size of wick compared with paraffin wax, or wick can be purchased from a Thorne's agent, such as Scotts, who will post it to you (0121 777 6044).

The wax has to be melted in a suitable container by standing it in hot water. Never melt the wax in a saucepan directly over the heat as it can catch fire. The melted wax should be filtered before use (nappy liners are ideal for this) so that the candles won't spit when lit.

It is best to pre-wax the wick so that it is stiff and straight, and remains in the centre of the candle when the wax is poured round it. Hang the wick from a long matchstick or similar resting centrally across the top of the 'mould'. There is no need to use any releasing agent. When the wax has set put the container in the fridge to release the candle.

If you want to be really adventurous, Thorne also sell coloured dyes and scents which can be mixed with the liquid wax. Only very small amounts of these are needed.

An even easier method of obtaining wax candles is to roll unwired foundation, although this is not as satisfactory as using your own wax, and it may not have such a pleasant aroma, but it is still much nicer than a paraffin wax candle. To give a pointed top to the candle cut a sloping piece off one edge of the sheet. Lay a pre-waxed wick along the longer edge and press the edge over the wick before rolling it up. For a British Standard sheet, as for a National hive, a 1" wick is used if placed along its short side. The wax needs to be softened to prevent cracking, by means of a hairdryer say, and the final edge needs extra warming to ensure that the candle will stay closed.

Obviously, bigger candles can be made using more than one sheet, or other sizes of foundation.

Peter Edwards, our Internet observer, has come across a working document regarding additions to a European Council Directive regarding animal and public health requirements governing trade and imports. A summary of the paragraphs concerning honey that catch one's eye is that firstly, honey should come from apiaries which are checked at regular interval by the competent authority (?) and from beehives which have not been recently treated with substances dangerous to human health. The honey should not contain residues of various veterinary drugs and contaminants, and must come from establishments complying with certain conditions and 'approved and registered by the competent authority'. Also 'a room must be provided for storing and packaging materials' and 'packaging must take place in a room or in a place intended for that purpose'. I suppose we should be thankful that this only a draft proposal, and from the rest of the document, it appears to be chiefly aimed at honey being imported into Europe.

A recent article in the Times on alternative health included a section on the benefits of honey. American research now indicates that it helps recuperation after workouts and acts as an excellent energy snack before exercise. Honey contains a number of anti-oxidants and a wide range of vitamins plus essential minerals. In addition, there are several different kinds of amino acids (proteins) in trace amounts only, but nevertheless useful for a balanced diet. In other words, it's good for you! The article also stated that latest research in New Zealand indicates that honey has extremely high microbial capabilities and can thus be used on burns and scrapes to promote healing by stimulating the growth of new tissue. Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling and increases circulation. These healing properties of honey have in fact been common knowledge for some considerable time, the healing action being due to a special bactericidal substance called thermolabile. A tablet written in Sumerian in about 2000 BC, and found in Iraq, gives recipes for drugs and ointments, one of which contains honey. This is one of the earliest written references to honey so far found anywhere.

Like most beekeepers I am a nature lover and hesitate to kill any insect, but I draw the line at wasps because of the problems I get from them raiding my hives. This is a good time of the year to carefully lift off each hive roof and look inside. I can guarantee that you will find queen wasps hibernating there. There were 4 in one of my hives and along with the others found they were summarily executed. In summer, when wasps start to become a real nuisance, I hang jam jars in the nearby trees three-quarters filled with jam and water mix. Put a thick paper cover with a hole about the size of a 10p piece in it over the jar or use the screw top with a hole in it. For some reason the bees don't seem to be attracted to the jars, but they certainly help to keep the wasps under control and away from the fruit on any trees you may have.

To give 3-4 servings, this makes an appetising change from turkey. I can definitely recommend it!

1 pork tenderloin

6-8 oz. dried apricots

2 tsp. chopped fresh mint

2-3 tbsp. honey

1 onion (red for more colour)

3 tbsp. concentrated orange juice

1 chicken stock cube, dissolved in a cup of hot water

Oil or butter to sauté

Cut the tenderloin into 1/2" thick slices

Chop apricots and slice the onion into rings

Lightly brown the tenderloin slices to seal and remove to ovenproof dish

Sauté onions adding the apricots, mint and honey

Add dissolved stock cube and orange juice

Pour the above over the tenderloin and cook for 1/2 hr. in a moderate oven

As a change, try this recipe using duck breasts instead of pork.

Included with this newsletter is your subscription receipt and copy of the new format BDI certificate of insurance, which also includes the terms and conditions of scheme A - for members with up to 39 colonies.

Please check your details carefully, especially the number of colonies that you are insuring. The maximum number of colonies that you will have during the season must be insured or no cover will apply. The basic membership of £14 includes insurance for 2 hives. If you have any queries please get in touch with the treasurer. If you have not had a receipt, please send your subscription to the treasurer as soon as possible.

You should have received a note pointing out that the clue for 7 down should have read: 'A tropical plant with edible green pods', 4 letters, with a black square between figs. 12 and 13. There is still time to get your answer to Denis before the 12th January deadline.

Please note that Sue and I have now taken over this job from Phil so if you have any queries please ring us.

I have also made some changes to the database used for producing membership lists and mailing labels, so please check the label on your envelope and advise me of any errors.

Peter Edwards

Friday 12 January. Mike Osborne's, 7.30pm.

Committee Meeting.

Thursday 25 January. Stratford College Restaurant, 7.15pm. for 7.30pm.

Annual Dinner. An opportunity to chat with other members of the Association over the excellent 5 course meal. Please contact Terry to reserve your places. Cost £18.00 each.

Friday 2 March. Stratford College, 7.30pm.

Talk by Transrural Trust on their work, in particular their help in the re-establishment of beekeeping in Kosova. This should be a most interesting talk, which will help to widen our horizons and appreciate how small our own beekeeping problems are.

Friday 30 March. Stratford College, 7.30pm.

Talk by Michael Badger, BBKA President. This will be your chance to hear what the BBKA does for us as beekeepers.