WANTED

WANTED

So you wanna keep bees

URGENT APPEAL

Do you have an old piece of clean carpet 8ft x 3ft?

If so, please could you give the Secretary or Chair a ring or drop us an email at

Essexsmallholders@gmail.com

REMINDER: PHOTO COMPETITION

Show Prep Day 27 May

How to socialise baby chickens

Really good article:

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-socialize-baby-chickens

EAST ESSEX SMALLHOLDERS GROUP FUNDRAISING QUIZ

SATURDAY 16TH JUNE 2012

ULTING AND LANGFORD VILLAGE HALL
Maldon Road, Langford, CM9 4SS

7PM FOR 7.30PM START

PROFESSIONAL QUIZ MASTER
TICKETS £5 PER PERSON – MAX 6 PER TEAM

“COME ALONG AND ENJOY A FUN NIGHT OUT”


RAFFLE IN AID OF RARE BREEDS SURVIVAL TRUST


BRING YOU OWN DRINKS AND NIBBLES
TEA AND COFFEE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO BUY

Contact Helen for tickets & info:
Helen@eastessexsmallholders.org.uk
Or call 07793363035

www.eastessexsmallholders.org.uk

Photo competition

Don't forget to send us your snaps for the Calendar photo competition.

Competition@eastessexsmallholders.org.uk

Di Supplies supports East Essex Smallholders at Blackwater Country Show

For sale - ACT NOW

Pre Show Polo shirt offer

Only £12.50 if ordered by 1 June in time for the Blackwater Show, Southminster Flower Show and the Bell Meadow Show.

Be part of it ..........

Contact danni@eastessexsmallholders.org.uk

Ulting Honey - now available

FIRST AID TRAINED

Are you first aid trained???

If so, would you be prepared to be our nominated First Aider at our Shows we are attending.

Call / email Carlie or Danni
Danni@eastessexsmallholders.org.uk

For Sale - Lambs, alpacas, Dexter steer

Meat Chickens for Sale - ACT NOW

Meat chicks - Ready NOW!

Maldon Rotary Annual Plant Sale

Maldon Rotary Annual Plant Sale
12 May 2012 - 08:00
All Saints Church, Maldon, CM9 4QE.


Maldon Rotary will host their annual plant sale on Saturday 12th May 2012 at All Saints Church in Maldon between 8am and 1pm.

There will be a large variety of plants available including tomatoes, runner beans, French beans, marrow, cucumber, courgettes, geranium, fuchsia, a variety of shrubs and bedding plants.

Proceeds will go to local charities.

National Honey Week - 7-13 May 2012

Celebrate National Honey Week – get this natural food source from your local beekeeper who you can find here. Honey is a natural food source and is the only one humans eat provided by an insect - the Honey bee. It is sweeter than sugar, but has less calories and is broken down quickly by our bodies. Whether struck down by a cold, sore throat or have a minor burn honey can help soothe the problem. Use it in your cooking, spread it on your body as a mix of salt scrub or on your toast it really is the natures golden elixir.



Interesting honey facts:

Honey bees must gather nectar from two million flowers to make one pound of honey.

One bee would therefore have to fly around 90,000 miles - three times around the globe - to make one pound of honey.

The average honey bee will actually make only one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.

A honey bee can fly as fast as 15 miles per hour.

It takes one ounce of honey to fuel a bee's flight around the world.

A honey bee visits 50 to 100 flowers during a collection trip.

Worker bees are all female.

Flowers have bright markings and strong smells to attract bees and other insects so that they will pollinate flowers. Some also have dark lines called 'honey guides' which scientists believe help insects find their way into the flowers.

A colony of bees consists of tens of thousands of worker bees, one queen and sometimes drones (male bees).

The honey bee is the only insect that produces food eaten by man.

Honey has always been highly regarded as a medicine. It is thought to help everything from sore throats and digestive disorders to skin problems and hay fever.

Honey has antiseptic properties and historically was often used as a dressing for wounds and a first aid treatment for burns and cuts.

Honey lasts for ever - or nearly. An explorer who found a 2000 year old jar of honey in an Egyptian tomb said it tasted delicious!

The natural fruit sugars in honey - fructose and glucose - are very quickly digested by the body. This is why sportsmen and athletes use honey to give them a natural energy boost.

The Romans used honey instead of gold to pay their taxes.

Honey bees have been producing honey in the same way for 150 million years.

The bees' buzz is the sound made by their wings which beat 11,400 times per minute.

Bees feed their larvae on pollen or 'cakes' made from pollen and saliva, using honey as a source of food during winter months. As they make more than they need, we humans can share the fruit of their labours.

The term 'beeline' comes from the 'bee line' these clever insects make to the flower of their choice, using the shortest route possible.

When a bee finds a good source of nectar it flies back to the hive and shows its friends where the nectar source is by doing a sort of dance positioning the flower in relation to the sun and the hive. This is known as the 'waggle dance.'

In Ancient Egypt honey had a role in births, deaths and marriages; it provided the energy and inspiration to create a child, was used to make special honey cakes as an offering to placate the gods and was an ingredient in embalming fluids.

Nearly one million tonnes of honey is produced worldwide every year.

Honey's ability to attract and retain moisture means that it has long been used as a beauty treatment. It was part of Cleopatra's daily beauty ritual.

In India , Krishna, as an avatar of Vishnu, has a blue bee in the middle of his forehead. Soma, the moon, is called a bee.

The Greek Great Mother was known as the Queen Bee, and her priestesses were called Mellisae, the Bees.

In Celtic myths, bees possess a secret wisdom garnered from the other world.

In Australia and Africa bees are found as tribal totems.

|

Weaners For Sale NOW

Newsletters

Message to all members


You will only receive East Essex Smallholders Newsletters if you are a registered member.  


May 2012 Newsletter has just been emailed to all members.  If you have not received yours, please contact the Secretary immediately atessexsmallholders@gmail.com 

Receipt of the Week - Potted Rabbit - from Mo and Charlie

Recipe for Potted Rabbit

We brought some potted rabbit to the bring and share at the April meeting.  There were many favourable comments on the night and so we thought we’d offer the recipe for this month’s newsletter. The rabbit went very well with the granary bread made by Phil Cass (the recipe for which can be found in the April blog), and recommend that you consider this as an accompaniment. Traditionally, potting was a common method of using left over meat, although nowadays we tend to cook meat specifically to pot, rather than as a use for left overs. 

1 x Rabbit

2 x Packs of unsalted butter

6 Prunes (Chopped)

Dry white wine (Just under half a pint)

Brandy or Calvados (Approximately 1 tablespoon)

Chicken stock (Approximately half a pint)

Sage (Chopped, approximately 1 teaspoon)

Parsley (Chopped, approximately 1 teaspoon)

Mace (Overall 1 teaspoon)

A bay leaf

Joint the rabbit and brown it in a little olive oil.  Add the chicken stock, white wine, chopped  herbs, prunes, the bay leaf and one quarter of a teaspoon of Mace. 

Simmer gently until the rabbit is thoroughly cooked, remove from heat and allow to cool.

When cold, pick the meat from the bones, and transfer to a food processor. In addition, remove the pieces of prune from the stock and include them with the meat. Add a splash of brandy or calvados, and one quarter of a pack of butter and process the mixture. Keep adding butter in small amounts until you have a smooth spreadable paste (there is no exact amount of butter to be added, we usually judge it by eye, and the consistency of the pate is down to personal preference). 

When you are happy with the consistency of your paste, press the mixture into small ramekins, smoothing down to no more than 1cm from the top of the pot. Top the paste with melted butter (ensure the paste is completely covered), add a sprinkling of Mace and leave to set.

Charlie & Mo Saville

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Message to all members


You will only receive East Essex Smallholders Newsletters if you are a registered member.  


May 2012 Newsletter has just been emailed to all members.  If you have not received yours, please contact the Secretary immediately at essexsmallholders@gmail.com 

Electronic Movements - here's what to do!

Electronic Movements - here's what to do!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1.
How do I register?
Go to the ‘Home Page’ on www.eaml2.org.uk and click on ‘Producer Registration’ on the left hand panel. After filling in the details a username and password will normally be emailed to you within 48 hours.
NB: You need to type in the password rather than ‘copy’ and ‘paste’ from the email. Copy and paste sometimes copies an additional space which will prevent you from logging in the first time.
You will also find additional information and user guides on the website. Alternatively contact the eAML2 Bureau Service helpline 0844 335 8400 or email: eaml2@bpex.org.uk
2.
What if I don’t have internet access or don’t want to use a computer?
There is a free-to-use eAML2 Bureau Service operated by MLCSL as well as other third party ‘Agents’, for example marketing groups or the British Pig Association. They will enter information onto the system and also provide copies of the movement document/haulier summary, prior to the movement taking place.
3.
How do I set up a movement?
Register first - see question 1. When you have logged in with your username and password, follow the simple steps below:
3.1 when using the system for the first time you need to confirm and complete your details in ‘Production Details’, then click on ‘Save’ at the bottom of the page. This is only required for the first time but you can make amendments in the future if needed.
3.2 Click on ‘set up a movement’; select your departure site from the drop down menu, tick the type of movement, then select your destination site from the drop down menu that will appear. Click on ‘new movement’.
3.3 Complete the questions that appear on a new page as applicable. There are ‘help’ notes to the right. When you come to the end, click on ’submit movement’.
3.4 You now have a new page with a link from which you can print off the Haulier Summary – the movement document that is legally required to go with the pigs. Double-click on the link to open the document and to print it.
If your destination is non-IT enabled you will need to print out an additional copy for their record keeping.
There are ‘help’ notes next to the questions and also quick start guides in the section ‘Help and User Guides’.
3.5 On the day your consignment is due you need to confirm the actual number of pigs loaded and the vehicle registration. This is equivalent to a signature and will confirm that your consignment has actually left the premises. You need to confirm the movement on the same day either online or by text message. – See also question 8.
4.
What is a Haulier Summary?
The Haulier Summary (HS) is a 1 page movement document that is legally required to travel with the pigs. If the haulier gets stopped on the way by an inspector the haulier summary needs to be presented.
NB: The Haulier Summary is only valid with an individual movement reference in the top right hand corner. This reference is automatically created by the system when you or the Bureau Service set up the movement.
The haulier needs to keep the HS for his records for 6 months.
5.
Why do I need to confirm my sent movement?
The eAML2 system works on a pre-notification principle. You are able to set up movements days/weeks/months in advance. Confirming the actual number of pigs loaded is an essential requirement of the system to ensure the correct information is recorded. The confirmation also serves as an electronic signature.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
6.
Where do I confirm movements?
You have 3 options to confirm your consignment:
Online: When you log onto your eAML2 account and click on ‘Producer Services’ you will automatically see the consignments listed that you need to confirm. Click on the blue link of the showing consignment(s) and you will come to a screen where you can enter the required information. Click on ‘submit’.
By text message: You can send a text message from your mobile phone. Register the mobile phone(s) against your site(s) beforehand.
NB: The text message must be in the specified format to go through.
By phoning the eAML2 Bureau: contact the Bureau with the individual movement reference and they will enter the information on your behalf.
7.
Can I register several mobile phones?
Yes, you can register several mobile phones for your account – when logged into your account go to ‘Register my mobile phone’ and enter the mobile number(s) in the required fields. You will then get a confirmation text with the mobile number to text to.
8.
How do I confirm a RECEIVED movement?
You can confirm receipt of a movement either online or by text message or through the Bureau.
Online: log on to your online account, click on ‘Producer Services’ where you will see the movement automatically listed.
By text message: after having registered your mobile phone for this service text the movement reference, the number of pigs received and any dead on arrivals.
NB: The text message must be in the specified format to go through.
By contacting the eAML2 Bureau: contact the Bureau with the individual movement reference and they will enter the information on your behalf.
9.
Not registered yet and received a consignment?
If you have received a consignment but are not registered yet for eAML2, simply click on ‘not registered & received a movement’ on the left hand panel of the eAML2 page. Enter the movement reference from the Haulier Summary in the box and follow the steps. This will register you and enable you to provide the required confirmation.
10.
What happens if I don’t provide the required confirmation on my sent and received movements?
The system requires you to confirm your SENT movement on the day of loading and you are legally required to confirm your RECEIVED movement within 3 days of arrival at the destination. Failure to do so will automatically be escalated as an enforcement issue for Local Authorities. Persistent occurrence of non-compliance may lead to being blocked from using the eAML2 system.
11.
How do I delete a movement?

As long as your movement is still showing in the pending section in your archive you can delete the movement yourself:

Go to your archive/pending movements/tick the box of the movement you want to delete/click on the small ‘bin’ symbol in the header of the pending section.
If you want to cancel a movement that has already been ‘sent’ you need to contact the eAML2 Bureau Service
12.
Who can I contact to sort out queries/problems?
MLCSL eAML2 helpline: 0844 335 8400 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, calls are charged 5p/minute from standard BT phone lines) or via email: eaml2@bpex.ahdb.org.uk
13.
Do I still need to fill in separate Food Chain Information (FCI)?
No. The eAML2 is covering both movement document and FCI.
14.
How can I change Food Chain Information (FCI) after the pigs have been loaded?
If you need to alter the FCI information after loading the animals do the following: amend the FCI info by hand on the Haulier Summary. Confirm the movement online where you can enter any new FCI details.
15.
What do I need to do when sending to a site without eAML2 access?
If you send to a non-IT enabled abattoir the eAML2 system will automatically prompt you to print two copies of the Haulier Summary: one for the haulier, one for the abattoir’s records.
The FSA vet/inspector at the abattoir will confirm receipt of the consignment electronically on behalf of the abattoir within three days.
If you send to a non IT-enabled farm you will need to print two copies of the Haulier Summary: one copy for the haulier and one for the destination farm records.
The non-IT enabled farm must confirm receipt of the movement via the Bureau Service (phone/fax/post) or text message within three days of arrival.
16.
What paper records must I keep?
For keepers with access to a computer, all movements will be stored electronically and securely for three years in their eAML2 account and be available to the keeper/inspectors as required by law.
Keepers without computer access will need to keep a paper copy of their movement document/ haulier summary.
Hauliers will retain the single page paper summary as required by law.
17.
Do I need to keep a paper holding register
If you have access to the eAML2 movements stored on your eAML2 account on the farm unit you don’t need to keep a paper version of your holding register as well.
If you have no access to the eAML2 movement records on the actual unit eg because it is miles from the corporate office then you will need to keep a paper register.
This change has also been made in the Red Tractor assurance scheme standard.
If a unit’s computer fails the Bureau Service can provide Trading Standards with all the movement details for the farm.
18.
What if I get an inspection from Trading Standards or the RPA?
All inspection bodies have been briefed on the new system. As with your existing paper records you should give them access to your electronic eAML2 records if you are inspected.
19.
What should I do if my internet is down?
If for some reason your internet connection is down or you temporarily have no access to your eAML2 records and want to set up a movement you can contact the Bureau Service.
The Bureau Service will set up the movement on your behalf and either fax or post the applicable number of Haulier Summaries to you. Alternatively you can note the individual movement reference given by the Bureau Service on your pre-populated haulier summaries.
NB: We strongly recommend that you print off some blank pre-populated Haulier summaries for these situations. To do that go to ‘Templates, alerts & DPP’ when logged on to your eAML2 account.
20.
Moves to/from Scotland
Scotland has its own movement system ‘ScotEID’. The eAML2 and ScotEID systems are integrated to transfer movement information seamlessly.
You can set up your movement to Scotland on eAML2 as any other move.
The consignment information is transmitted to the Scottish destination which will provide the feedback to ScotEID.
 Movements from Scotland to England and Wales:
The Scottish sender will set up the movement through ScotEID and the consignment information will be transmitted to your eAML2 account.
Note: Scottish slaughter movements will be accompanied by paper Food Chain Information (FCI).
21.
Who are BPEX and MLCSL?
BPEX is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). MLCSL (Meat and Livestock Commercial Services Ltd) is a wholly owned subsidiary of AHDB providing independent services to the meat and livestock Industry in the UK.
22.
Do I have to pay for this new service?
No. The new system has been paid for by Defra – no levy money is being used.


Good Luck

Blackwater Country Show 2012

Come and see

East Essex Smallholders

at this year's 

Blackwater Country Show

Sunday 24 June 2012

Ascott - Bank Holiday offers

Bank Holiday Offers Bank Holiday Offers   Let’s hope the weather improves over the bank holiday! Here are two great offers from Ascotts to cheer up the bank holiday weekend! Covatutto Eco 24 Semi-Auto Turn This easy to clean 20 to 24 hen egg incubator comes complete with fan assisted heater and transparent cover. It has a variable temperature control and fitted thermometer. The eggs are turned by an external rod which slides the trays on which the eggs are rested. The movable egg separators can be adjusted to take any size egg.   Fibre Egg Boxes Pack of 300 Traditional fibre egg boxes, case of 300 half dozen boxes. Suitable for most sizes of eggs Offers available until 12pm Monday 7th May 2012. Follow us on Twitter Call us today 0845 130 6285 Email us sales@ascott.biz Ascott Smallholding Supplies Ltd | Units 21/22 | Whitewalls | Easton Grey | Malmesbury | Wiltshire | SN16 0RD Opening Times 9am-5pm Monday to Friday - Saturday opening times  9am until 1pm

Ascott - May offers

May Special Offers May is a great time on the smallholding or in the garden. During May the elder bushes in the hedgerows will start to flower and now is the traditional time to pick the elderflowers and make elderflower champagne. We have some great new bottles that are ideal for this and they are traditional flip top bottles. Lots of people will be planting or sowing early crops.  The earthway precision seeder is ideal for sowing rows of vegetables and flowers.  It can sow small seeds like radish, lettuce, carrots and larger seed like peas, bean and maize. As the weather starts to warm up everything begins to grow including the weeds, take the hard work out of spraying weeds with the ATV sprayer.  This can be mounted on any quad bike, ATV or Mule. There is always an abundance of eggs during May, why not try hatching some chicks with our Deluxe Complete Home Hatchery? This kit includes everything you need to hatch and rear chicks. Ascotts are out on the road again during May and will be at the following shows: North Somerset Show on Monday the 7th May at Wraxall, South of Bristol and Royal Welsh Smallholder & Garden festival on the 19th & 20th May Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Well, Powys Hope to see you there Mark & Kate Self Follow us on Twitter Trial Offer TRIAL OFFER Get 5 issues for just £5! Subscribe to Your Chickens or Country Smallholding magazine by Direct Debit and enjoy your first 5 issues for just £1 each! If you’re a smallholder with livestock, growing your own crops, and self-sufficient, or a city dweller dreaming of ‘the good life’, or simply interested in everything from home produced food and compost to alternative energy and keeping poultry, Country Smallholding magazine is for you. Country Smallholding is published 13 times a year. It comes with a free magazine called Poultry. Subscribe by Direct Debit and get your first 5 issues for just £5! – SAVING 73% Visit our website for more information: www.subscriptionsave.co.uk/CS/ASCO Alternatively, try out our sister title Your Chickens – the magazine dedicated to the back garden chicken keeper. Full of tips, advice and real life stories of people who have joined the chicken keeping boom. Your Chickens celebrates all that is good about chicken keeping. It is published 12 times a year. Subscribe by Direct Debit and get your first 5 issues for just £5! – SAVING 69% Visit our website for more information:www.subscriptionsave.co.uk/YC/ASCO UK Only offer. Details of the Direct Debit Guarantee are available on request. Subscriptions start with the next available issue. Please allow up to 28 days for delivery. Offer ends 30/06/2012. Call us today 0845 130 6285 Email us sales@ascott.biz Ascott Smallholding Supplies Ltd | Units 21/22 | Whitewalls | Easton Grey | Malmesbury | Wiltshire | SN16 0RD Opening Times 9am-5pm Monday to Friday - Saturday opening times  9am until 1pm