DESPITE the terrible weather, 27 of the Okehampton Beekeepers made it through the wind and rain to their third winter meeting on December 8.

The group received a visit from Lee Taylor from Devon Trading Standards, who gave a talk on the legal requirements controlling the sale of honey and other hive products.

Lee brought with him a supply of handouts, covering food advice, cosmetics and beeswax candles.

His talk gave advice on the requirements for marketing honey, and the differences between various marketed types of honey, labelling, weight and measures.

He also discussed the packaging requirements for other products including beeswax candles, and cosmetics made using beeswax.

Lee concluded his talk on propolis, a product consisting mainly of gums extracted by bees from plants and trees, used mainly in medications.

At the end of the meeting, everyone enjoyed a mince pie and mulled wine before braving the weather once more to make the journey home.

The next of the branch's winter meetings takes place on January 12 when Jack Mummery will visit the group to give a talk on exhibiting at the Devon County Show.