​​A theory course of ten 45-minute lectures aimed at people who are considering taking up the craft of beekeeping, or who have only fairly recently obtained their own bees. The course will cover: the honey bee life cycle, hive design, equipment, colony management, swarming and hive products and will provide a firm base from which to increase knowledge of the craft. Anyone who attends the course becomes a full member of the Yeovil Branch of Somerset Beekeepers Association Charity, and we try to prioritise new members to receive swarms (if they want them!) so that they can start keeping bees in their first year.

Venue: Queen Camel Memorial Hall, High St, Queen Camel, BA22 7NF
Dates: Starting Jan 9th 2025 for 10 weeks (on Thursday evenings)
Time: 7.30pm.
Tutors: Bill Patterson & John Carnegie.
Fee: In advance: £75
Anyone signing up for the Course also becomes a full member of the BBKA, SBKA and Yeovil Division (which includes many benefits, including colony insurance, subscription to monthly BBKA News magazine, etc.)
​Topics:
  • Week 1. Introduction- General, What is a Honey bee, Importance of beekeeping, Local and National support.
  • Week 2. The Colony- Queen, workers and drones. Division of labour within the hive. Individual lifecycles.
  • Week 3. The Hive- The bees’ nest. Hive components. Supers. Practical frame making.
  • Week 4. History - Origins of Honeybees. Honey hunting. Skeps. Langstroth. W.B.C., Smith, National, Nucleus and other odd hives.
  • Week 5. Beekeeping Year- Preparation for winter. Spring management. Inspections. Summer build up. Harvesting.
  • Week 6. Queens . In depth understanding. Queen rearing. Mating of. Marking and Clipping.
  • Week 7. Swarms . Reasons for and types of. Swarm control, Swarm prevention, Swarm collection.
  • Week 8. Pests and Diseases. Pests, brood diseases, adult diseases, varroa. Statutory requirements.
  • Week 9. Bees, Plants and hive products- pollination, nectar and honey. Local forage crops, wax, propolis and pollen. Selling honey.
  • Week 10. Getting Started- Association Membership of Full and the implications. Sources of kit for beekeeping. Setting up and apiary. What happens next.
Followed by a practical course as close as possible to the last lesson.

Book a Place on the Course

To book a place on the course, please complete the form below, and send payment of £75 for the course as follows:
  • BACS (preferred): Name: Somerset Beekeepers Association, Yeovil Division", Sort-Code: 30-92-40, Account Number: 32009160, Reference: "Your Name Begin" (e.g. "Frank Hobbs Begin").
  • Cheque: payable to “Somerset Beekeepers’ Association, Yeovil Division” sent to Sharon Blake, Stratton Court, Over Stratton, TA13 5LQ by 2nd Jan 2025. Cheques will not be banked until the first day of the course.
Payment must be received at least 1 week before the start of the course to confirm your place. Your place is not confirmed until payment is received, and the course does usually sell out, so please send your payment in plenty of time. No refunds are possible less than 1 week before the course start date.
For any enquiries regarding the course please contact Bill Paterson at [email protected]