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Introduction to Beekeeping 2025 – Course 2

Aims of Course

This course is suitable for those who wish to:

  • Discover more about beekeeping and/or
  • Decide whether beekeeping is a suitable hobby and/or
  • Start beekeeping

 

Structure

The 9am to 4 pm per day course over one weekend (24th and 25th May 2025); both days consisting of mornings in the classroom and afternoons in the apiary:- 

  • 2 hours Theory 
  • Break
  • 2 hours Theory
  • Lunch
  • 2 hours Practical 

 

Meetings

Wiltshire Bee Centre, Old Yatesbury Airfield, near Calne SN11 8FA.

Teachers

Thanks to Fee and Terry Cooke who will teach the course. They are both Honorary members of Kennet Beekeepers and have been key officers at both Club and County level. They have taught Beekeeping for many years; Fee still is a key contributor to our standard Introduction course and Basic study groups. The Wiltshire Bee Centre is operated by Fee and Terry who are bee farmers with a strong interest in promoting education of the honey bee and her environment. 

See Education main page for course dates.

 The theory will  cover:

  • Life cycle of the honey bee; nature of the colony and the individual bee;
  • Forage: what and how bees locate forage; processing nectar into honey
  • Equipment : personal, hives and frames
  • Beekeeping Year: inspecting the bees throughout the seasons
  • Keeping the bees healthy: recognizing a healthy colony; managing pests and diseases.
  • Swarm management
  • Honey extraction; other products of the hive
  • Getting started: setting up an apiary; health and safety issues; purchasing bees and equipment

The practical will cover:

  • Bee handling
  • Colony inspection

However, under certain weather conditions, it will not be possible for the bee hives to be opened. In that case, the afternoon apiary sessions will be rescheduled for another day.

Course  Extension – the Club Apiary is open for  various weekend sessions  throughout the season  for course members to gain further experience handling bees.

Cost of Course

For existing KBKA members, the cost of this course is £50.

If you are not already a member, there are two main types of membership:

  • Full registered membership; for those who already have bees or are thinking of getting them before 30th September 2024. @ £43 plus a £5 new member fee (£98 total fee for the year, when you book on this course).
  • Associate membership for those without bees @ £16 plus a £5 new member fee (£71 total ,when you book on this course)

 

Application

Early application is advised as the course. It also enables applicants to gain some of the membership benefits before the Course starts. Priority will be given to local members who make early application.

Please contact Emma Morley, Education Secretary, for the full details and an application form.

Click this link or see Contacts page for contact details.

Completion of the Form with payment will confirm your place on the Course.