The aim of the course is to allow those with no previous knowledge or experience to start keeping bees. This is a very short course so, if you take it and wish to keep bees successfully, you can’t afford to miss a single session. To underpin the instruction, within reasonable limits, we offer advice and assistance afterwards.

Since most of the course will take place before bee colonies can safely be opened, it is important that you
make arrangements to look into a colony of honey bees in the season before the course starts; if it isn’t already too late when you read this, we can help; please ask. I cannot emphasise too strongly that there is no substitute for opening an active colony with an experienced beekeeper. You might try being stung too!
This year the course will run on five consecutive Monday evenings from 27th February between 7.30 and 9.30pm. This is the classroom, theoretical, part and will be held mostly in the Dallinghoo Jubilee Hall IP13 0JX. The dates and brief details are listed in the course calendar which should accompany this.

Sessions include an afternoon handling lovely quiet bees on 15th or 16th April – you choose which – and a grand finale all-day session from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday 23rd April.

The fee for our Course is £60.00. For a second person at the same address, we offer the course at half price, but you get only one set of notes. If you want to take the course but can’t afford the fee, please ask – reductions and waivers are available

Programme

• Monday 27th February, 7.30pm – General overview of bees and bee behaviour. Mostly about Honey Bees – a scene setter – for understanding
• Monday 6th March, 7.30pm – Beekeeping equipment – what to buy and what not. In the end, you have to make up your own mind. We will be giving you a heap of suppliers’ catalogues. If you want advice, please ask.
• Monday 13th March, 7.30pm– The beekeeping year – centred, naturally, on flowering plants. What happens and what you need to do.
• Monday 20st March, 7.30pm – An overview: forage, honey, wax & stings. Bringing things together.
• Monday 27th March, 7.30pm – Pests and diseases. Sources of information. Problems. How to get started.
• Either Saturday 15th April OR Sunday 16th April – Handling bees