Introduction to Beekeeping Course

June 2025 - places available

If you would like to learn how to become a beekeeper, our Introduction to Beekeeping course is run by Diane Drinkwater over Six weekly sessions via Zoom and is for everyone starting out with bees, our new course also runs concurrently with Six weekly session at our Apiary in Southport. If you already have bees but are relatively new to beekeeping you'll find this course extremely useful and you're welcome to attend the sessions too. Our Introduction to Beekeeping Course is £75.00 including membership of L&NWBKA Southport & District Branch.

This price includes:

6 weekly Online Sessions - see below for schedule

6 weekly Apiary Practical Training Sessions will cover:

• • 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

Practical sessions are held in a friendly and informal fashion and are supervised by an experienced beekeeper. New beekeepers are encouraged to ask any questions that they might have during or after the session.

Membership of the branch

BBKA membership

BBKA News magazine (12 issues per year)

BBKA insurance and Bee Disease insurance

A copy of the BBKA Handbook or The Bee Manual: The Complete Step by Step Guide to Keeping Bees

Introduction Course Training schedule:

• • Monday 23rd June @ 7.30pm: Zoom Introduction week 1 - What are honey bees - an introduction

  • Monday 30th June @ 7.30pm: Zoom Introduction week 2 - The hive and the colony

  • Saturday 5th July @  10am Apiary Visit

  • Monday 7th July @ 7.30pm: Zoom Introduction week 3 - Inspections, swarming and stings!

  • Saturday 12th July @ 10am Apiary Visit

  • Monday 14th July @ 7.30pm: Zoom Introduction week 4 - Healthy hives

  • Saturday 19th July @ 10am Apiary Visit

  • Monday 21st July @ 7.30pm: Zoom Introduction week 5 - Your apiary

  • Saturday 26th July @ 10am Apiary Visit

  • Monday 28th July @ 7.30pm: Zoom Introduction week 6 - Honey

  • Saturday 2nd August @ 10am Apiary Visit

  • Saturday 9th August @ 10am Apiary Visit

Once you have signed up as a new member you are also welcome to join our Branch meetings which are held the second Thursday of the month in the Community Room at Southport Fire Station, starting at 7.30pm.  Attendance at the branch meetings is encouraged.

For more information and to start your membership please contact Vanessa Wakefield: vanessa.wakefield@southportbeekeepers.co.uk

Our Improvers course is intended for beekeeping members wishing to take the Basic Assessment this year.

Improvers Course Training schedule: Starts on Sunday 15th June for 4 weeks

• •  Zoom Improvers course week 1 - Manipulation and Equipment

  •  Zoom Improvers course week 2 - Swarming, Control and its Effects

  •  Zoom Improvers course week 3 - Natural History and Beekeeping

  •  Zoom Improvers course week 4 - Diseases and Pests