Our Beginners' Courses are organised at Divisional level, and are aimed at newcomers to beekeeping, and those in their first year. The courses are programmed to provide a firm basis from which the beginner can progress in his or her own time, and cover basic beekeeping in weekly sessions.
They usually takes place during the winter months, and are held in a village hall or classroom environment in the evening. They endeavour to answer fundamental questions, which are in most people’s minds when first considering taking up the craft. “How much time will it take? What will it cost? Will I get stung?” They then go on to introduce the honeybee, dealing with elementary biology and life cycle. The courses cover hives, tools and personal equipment, and deal with swarming, and setting up an apiary. The principles of bee handling are covered, and honey production and harvesting, together with over-wintering, feeding and husbandry. Honeybee maladies are dealt with, as well as pests and predators, and plenty of time is allowed for questions.
They usually takes place during the winter months, and are held in a village hall or classroom environment in the evening. They endeavour to answer fundamental questions, which are in most people’s minds when first considering taking up the craft. “How much time will it take? What will it cost? Will I get stung?” They then go on to introduce the honeybee, dealing with elementary biology and life cycle. The courses cover hives, tools and personal equipment, and deal with swarming, and setting up an apiary. The principles of bee handling are covered, and honey production and harvesting, together with over-wintering, feeding and husbandry. Honeybee maladies are dealt with, as well as pests and predators, and plenty of time is allowed for questions.
This winter course then, usually, leads on to a Practical Course, which in the spring. This again deals with basic beekeeping, but allows the opportunity to open up hives, and handle bees. It covers the use of the smoker and other tools, swarming, queen marking, what to look for in the hive, honey extraction and preparation for winter. The courses usually last right through the summer months, and are again organised at Divisional level.
NEW LEAF AWARD
In association with the considerable & generous contribution from New Leaf Life design, Somerset Beekeepers' Association is able to assist somebody or a project to start keeping bees, which might otherwise prove difficult to do, for financial or other reasons. If you know somebody, or a project, that fits that description, or would like to claim it for yourself, then let Maggie Norris - the county secretary know all about the circumstances. Maggie can be contacted at secretary@somersetbeekeepers.org.uk. Nominations which should be factual and as comprehensive as possible, should be received no later January 19th, but may be submitted at any time. The sooner we can make a decision, the sooner the successful applicant can start to learn about beekeeping and get their own bees and hive.
The successful nominee will receive a colony of bees, a new hive, a new bee-suit, a smoker and a hive tool, as well as being mentored for the first season. The successful nominee must also attend an introductory course run by one of the divisions of Somerset Beekeepers' Association. The course fee may (but not necessarily) be included in the award. The total value of the award is in the region of £700.
NEW LEAF AWARD
In association with the considerable & generous contribution from New Leaf Life design, Somerset Beekeepers' Association is able to assist somebody or a project to start keeping bees, which might otherwise prove difficult to do, for financial or other reasons. If you know somebody, or a project, that fits that description, or would like to claim it for yourself, then let Maggie Norris - the county secretary know all about the circumstances. Maggie can be contacted at secretary@somersetbeekeepers.org.uk. Nominations which should be factual and as comprehensive as possible, should be received no later January 19th, but may be submitted at any time. The sooner we can make a decision, the sooner the successful applicant can start to learn about beekeeping and get their own bees and hive.
The successful nominee will receive a colony of bees, a new hive, a new bee-suit, a smoker and a hive tool, as well as being mentored for the first season. The successful nominee must also attend an introductory course run by one of the divisions of Somerset Beekeepers' Association. The course fee may (but not necessarily) be included in the award. The total value of the award is in the region of £700.
