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Harvest Thanksgiving 2009
Milk and Honey.
The communion table in Randalstown (OC) Presbyterian Church was decorated with milk and honey and the main entrance porch had a lavish display of products of the beehive.  The rest of this beautiful old Church was decorated with fruit and flowers in a more traditional Harvest style.  The occasion was the Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Service of the Ulster Beekeepers’ Association.  This Service, which is unique in Britain and Ireland, is held in different churches throughout Northern Ireland.  This year’s service, on Sunday evening 18th October, was hosted by Randalstown & District Beekeepers’ Association and beekeepers from all over Northern Ireland attended.
The special guests were Michael Gleeson, from Enfield, County Meath, the secretary of the Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations and his wife Rosemary and Dennis Ryan, from Clonmel, County Tipperary, the President of The Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations and his wife Carmel.  Dennis read the first lesson and Rev. Margaret Johnston, the immediate past President of the Ulster Beekeepers’ Association read the second.  The Very Rev. Dr. Donald Patton, minister of the congregation, conducted the service and preached a sermon most appropriate to the occasion. The offering was divided between “Bees for Development,” an International Charity which helps groups in third world countries develop the production and marketing of honey and beeswax and a beekeeping project in Zomba, Malawi.
After the Service a huge crowd of both beekeepers and members of the congregation moved to the Church hall where they received a wonderful supper provided by the Randalstown Beekeepers and the ladies of the congregation, who also served it.

Photos: left to right.

Dennis Ryan, from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, President of the Federation of Irish Beekeepers' Associations who read the first lesson.  Also Rev Margaret Johnston, from Killinchy, the immediate Past President of the Ulster Beekeepers' Association, who read the second lesson.

Milk & honey beside a model bee hive on the Communion table in front of the choir.

The display of beehive products in the front porch to the Church.

Urban Beekeeping in Northern Ireland

Honeybees are under serious pressure from new emerging diseases and perhaps use of pesticides. Recent news about the world decline of honeybees is not myth, but a reality experienced by many Northern Ireland beekeepers, which has enouraged many nature lovers to take the plight of the honey bee under their wing. It is great that so many people are now expressing an interest in beekeeping and there are already many beekeepers keeping one or two hives in Belfast back gardens. However, beekeeping is not something that one can dive into without first gaining some background knowledge. It is strongly advised that one takes a beekeeping course such as that offered by CAFRE. The location of a hive is also something that requires a lot of care or else you might find yourself falling out with your neighbours. Your local beekeeping association will only be too glad to teach and guide new beekeepers both at a lecture and practical level. If you are considering beekeeping then it would be in your best interest to join your local club and experience practical beekeeping before investing in equipment and bees.

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Updated 23-Oct-2009
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