2025 BEEKEEPING BEGINNERS’ COURSE
Run by the Exmoor Branch of the Somerset Beekeepers Association and taught by experienced and / or qualified beekeepers.
- 3 fortnightly classroom sessions
- 4 Practical apiary sessions
1. Theory Classes at quaker meeting house, minehead
When?
Starting Saturday 1st March 2025, continuing fortnightly until 29th March 2025.
Where?
DATE |
TIME |
SUBJECT |
Saturday 1/3/25 |
10.00 10.30 11.15 11.30 12.45 13.45 15.00 15.15 16.15 |
Introduction History of bees and beekeeping Refreshments The honey bee colony Lunch Nests, hives and frames Refreshments Frame making practical End |
Saturday 15/3/25 |
10.00 11.15 11.30 13.00 14.00 15.00 15.15 16.15 |
The beekeeping year Refreshments Honey bee pests and diseases Lunch Queens Refreshments Swarms End |
Saturday 29/3/25 |
10.00 11.15 11.30 12.45 13.15 14.15 15.15 15.30 16.00 |
Forage for honey bee Refreshments Products of the hive Asian hornet briefing Lunch Getting started, health and safety Refrehments Quiz End |
2. Practical Classes
Practical classes take place at the Exmoor Branch apiary at Rowe Farm (between Dunster and Minehead). They are scheduled to take place on four successive Saturdays, weather permitting, starting at 2pm and ending roughly 2 hours later. The first likely date will be mid- to late April.
After the formal course ends, trainees may continue to visit throughout the season during weekly apiary management visits at Rowe, which are usually held on Fridays.
The purchase of honeybee nucleus colonies may sometimes be available on requests.
There is no need to buy any equipment before undertaking the course; indeed, we don’t recommend it. The course is your chance to decide if beekeeping is something you want to pursue.
For the practical sessions, we will lend you a full bee-suit. We will do our best to address many of the questions prospective beekeepers have throughout the course and recommend some good books.
After the formal course ends, trainees may continue to visit throughout the season during weekly apiary management visits at Rowe, which are usually held on Fridays.
The purchase of honeybee nucleus colonies may sometimes be available on requests.
There is no need to buy any equipment before undertaking the course; indeed, we don’t recommend it. The course is your chance to decide if beekeeping is something you want to pursue.
For the practical sessions, we will lend you a full bee-suit. We will do our best to address many of the questions prospective beekeepers have throughout the course and recommend some good books.
Additional Information
We will have a small library of beekeeping books available which you may borrow but if you want to buy a good beginner’s book prior to the course we would recommend 'Bees at the Bottom of the Garden’ by Alan Campion.
Handouts will be provided but please remember to bring a pen and paper for note taking.
We will have a small library of beekeeping books available which you may borrow but if you want to buy a good beginner’s book prior to the course we would recommend 'Bees at the Bottom of the Garden’ by Alan Campion.
Handouts will be provided but please remember to bring a pen and paper for note taking.
Cost£100. This includes Associate Membership of the Somerset Beekeepers' Association. |
More InfoFor further information, please contact Neil Wellum on 01278741663 or email: [email protected] |
