Our learning programme is extensive:
  • Beginners Part 1 starting November 2021 7:30pm for 5 weeks. (Dates still to be confirmed)
    • Location: Brymore School, Cannington, TA5 2NB
    • Cost: Free to associate members
  • Beginners Part 2 course - 5 sessions in early Jan 2022, dates to be advised.
  • Practical course Spring / Summer 2022 - Seven (7) sessions in total throughout the season.
  • Rent-a-hive programme.
  • Beekeeping Microscopy (BBKA syllabus)
  • Brymore Academy Bee Club - with whom we have a special relationship. We teach the boys in their Bee Club, also teach subjects (such as pollination) in the Horticulture curriculum. In return we use their Science Laboratory on Winter evenings

To join any of the courses, please contact the secretary on 07738 271120 or email ruth@penelope-pitstop.co.uk
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New beekeepers

​For new beekeepers the programme is in 3 parts. Part 1 in the Autumn, Part 2 in the beginning of the year and Part 3 (the practical sessions) which are timed to match the beekeeping season. There is also the (usual) Rent-a-hive programme where new members can have a nucleus of bees at the Apiary and nurture the bees to become a full colony during the year. Mentors are always in attendance to help with the tricky bits. The programme of the meetings is negotiated with the rent-a-hive coordinator. Rent a Hive has proved to be extremely popular and spaces for 2022 have been limited to 10. So early registration is strongly advised.

Our intention is that new beekeepers can learn at their own pace timed to the beekeeping year. There is also a Mentorship programme running with dedicated mentors assigned to each Rent a Hiver. At the end of the summer season, knowledge, practice and experience will lead to ownership of a colony of bees.

Experienced beekeepers

For the more experienced beekeeper there are sessions on
  • Queen Raising. This follows on from the visit (in 2016) to Peter Little at Allerford to see his Queen raising facility. This also helps to provide the Queens that are needed for our learning programme.
  • Disease / Varroa Control/ Asian Hornet, making increase and swarm control.
  • Microscopy. A one year programme to prepare beekeepers for the BBKA Microscopy exam. Also sessions for the ‘non-microscopist’ about bringing your honey to the apiary and doing your own analysis of the pollen, or doing your own disease checks. It was popular last year.
Any members wishing to take the BBKA Basic Certificate or other BBKA modules and exams are welcome to join the study groups which will be organised according to need. Just get in touch with one of the officers.