Sweet on idea of bee-keeping

A new way of combatting the shortage of sugar for jam-making, caused by the war, was put forward 100 years ago this week.

The Stirlingshire Women’s County Committee, of which the Duchess of Atholl was convener, proposed increasing supplies of honey.

Committee members wrote to Miss Stanley Rogerson, registrar for the parish of Kilmadock, to find out what arrangements were being made there to encourage and revive bee-keeping.

It was explained that those who join the Scottish Beekeeping Association could purchase hives and equipment at wholesale prices, and it was recommended that branches of the association should be formed in every Perthshire parish.

For people in Doune, Beekeeping Association literature was available from Mr A Sinton, Main Street, while the point of contact in Deanston was Mr John McEwen.

Arrangements were underway for lectures on keeping bees.

Meanwhile, food shortages were encouraging people across Stirlingshire to look at more efficient ways of tilling the soil. In Ashfield 100 years ago, fascinated villagers lined up to watch a motor plough belonging to Mr Todd, farmer from Glassingall, turning over several acres of land belonging to Mr Pullar. Said the Observer:“The operation provided interest to people in the village who commented fairly on the good work done by the modern plough.