Beekeeping for Beginners (Taster Course)

The session will include classroom teaching exploring honeybees and how beekeepers care for their bees. Weather permitting, the session will also include and outdoor, practical element, where we will open a beehive to observe the bees.

We will provide you with a bee suit for the hive inspection. You will need to bring wellies or boots that cover your ankles and a clean pair of light coloured rubber washing up gloves (Marigold or similar).

This one-day course lasts 4.5 hours taking place between 10:30am – 3:30pm in September. There will be a reserve date later in the month to look inside the hive if the weather is unsuitable on the day.

Find out if beekeeping is the hobby for you and how to avoid some of the common pitfalls.

The taster course will cover information such as:

- The beekeeper’s year – when would you be busiest and what happens over winter?
- Queens, workers and drones - what goes on inside the hive?
- What sort of hives are available and what would you need to get started?
- Why do bees swarm and what can I do about it?
- How easy is it to harvest honey and how much might I get?
- How much does it cost to become a beekeeper and what challenges might I face?
- How long does it take to learn beekeeping and how do I go about it?
-What can we see in a hive? Will see eggs, larvae and the queen?