Note that our Beginners' Courses for 2019 have all now started and there will be no more beginners' courses in 2019, except for the Quantocks Division, whose course starts in November.
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 covers basic beekeeping in six 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 starts the following 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 course usually lasts right through the summer months, and is again organised at Divisional level.
