Beekeeping Courses

INTRODUCTION TO BEEKEEPING

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April 2020 - CANCELLED


If you have you ever thought about becoming a beekeeper then this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to start your journey!

The course fee is £120.00 per person and includes: 

  • One place on the two day course (including light lunch and refreshments) 
  • The use of beekeeping suits and veils
  • Follow on practical training at our branch apiary in Hesketh Park
  • Membership of our branch and the BBKA for one year
  • BBKA News magazine (12 issues per year)
  • BBKA insurance and Bee Disease insurance

The training will include:

Day 1 - Theory: Saturday 9am – 3pm at the Fleetwood Hesketh, Fylde Road, Southport PR9 9XH

  • Basic biology and natural history of the honey bee
  • Equipment needed and siting of an apiary
  • Swarm control
  • Pests and diseases
  • Honey and other products of the hive
  • The beekeeping year

Day 2 - Practical: Sunday 10am – 4pm at the Branch Apiary, Hesketh Park, Southport

  • Making a frame/assembling a flat-pack hive
  • Hive opening, handling honey bees (weather permitting)
  • Experienced beekeepers will be on hand to answer any questions
  • Beehives and beekeeping equipment will be on display

In addition there will be follow on practical training sessions at our branch apiary in Hesketh Park. Each practical session is held in a friendly and informal fashion and is supervised by an experienced beekeeper.  New beekeepers are encouraged to ask any questions that they might have during or after the session.

For more information or to reserve a place on one of our courses please email [email protected] 



BEEKEEPING TASTER SESSIONS

Dates for 2020 to be confirmed

Taster sessions are an introduction to the fascinating world of bees and beekeeping.  Experienced beekeepers will provide participants with a taste of what is involved in being a beekeeper. The session will start with a talk that covers many of the different aspects of beekeeping, including:

  • Choosing and setting up an apiary site
  • The beekeeping year
  • Equipment needed and costs
This is followed by a practical session in the apiary where you will get to see inside a beehive and hands-on involvement in:
  • Getting suited correctly (beekeeping suits will be provided)
  • Lighting smokers
  • Seeing equipment needed for regular manipulations and how various components of a hive work
  • Seeing Brood in all stages, stores and capped honey
The fee is £10.00 per person (paid in advance), booking is essential as places are limited.
 

BBKA Training

The BBKA supports two training styles. For the practical approach there’s the Basic Certificate and the General Husbandry assessment. And for study/exams there are the Modules 1-8 which covers the following topics;

Module 1 - Management
Module 2 - Products & Forage
Module 3 - Pests, Diseases & Poisoning 

Module 5 - Biology
Module 6 - Behaviour
Module 7 - Selection & Breeding
Module 8 - Management, Health & History

The Basic Certificate - the syllabus covers the knowledge that really is the basis for any beekeeper to be successful. It can be a very rewarding experience to confirm your knowledge by passing the Basic. Attending a Basic Preparation Course provides an ideal refresher of your key knowledge, which is helpful at the start of the season.

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