Our beekeeping courses are suitable for the beginner through to the experienced beekeeper, and will help you discover the joys of beekeeping.
Beekeeping – Taster Session (1)
Are you fascinated by honey bees and would like to get close to them? BCA are offering an opportunity to experience the sound, smell and activity of bees. If you are considering enrolling for a Beekeeping course this informative taster session will give you a good insight into the world of bees and the range of programmes we offer. (*Weather permitting, an alternative date will be offered in the event of bad weather)
| Date | Saturday 10/09/11* |
| Duration | 1 morning |
| Time | 1000-1200 |
| Course Code | ADLT/M/PX12 |
| Date | Saturday 10/09/11* |
| Duration | 1 afternoon |
| Time | 1400-1600 |
| Course Code | ADLT/M/PX012 |
| Total Fee | £25 |
(*Weather permitting, an alternative date will be offered in the event of bad weather.)
Beekeeping – Beginners (2)
This introductory (theoretical) programme provides a basic knowledge about bees and
beekeeping, enabling students after some practical experience to keep bees.
| Date | Monday 09/01/12-06/02/12 |
| Duration | 5 weeks |
| Time | 1900-2100 |
| Course Code | ADLT/M/PX14 |
| Date | Monday 13/02/12 - 12/03/12 |
| Duration | 5 weeks |
| Time | 1900-2100 |
| Course Code | ADLT/M/PX14 FULLY BOOKED |
| Date | Monday 26/03/12 - 30/04/12 |
| Duration | 5 weeks |
| Time | 1900-2100 |
| Course Code | ADLT/M/PX181101-1A |
| Total Fee | £95 |
Beekeeping – Practical (3)
An ideal programme for those who want to develop confidence and experience at handling bees. Some of the topics you will cover include: how to handle and manage a colony of honey bees, finding and marking the queen, looking and interpreting what is going on inside the hive.
Some veils and protective clothing are available. Numbers are limited, with priority given to those completing Beekeeping for Beginners.
| Date | Monday 30/04/12-02/07/12 |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Time | 1830-2030 |
| Course Code | ADLT/M/PX15 |
| Date | Thursday 03/05/12-28/06/12 |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Time | 1400-1600 |
| Course Code | ADLT/M/PX15 |
| Total Fee | £152 |
Beekeeping – Preparing Bees for Winter (4)
Putting honey bees to bed for the winter, is a most important part of the beekeeping year if bees are to survive the winter. Come and see the College apiary’s preparations for winter. This will include ‘lifting’ the hive to check for sufficient stores, protection against woodpeckers and mice along with hive ventilation.
| Date | Saturday 24/09/11 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Time | 1100-1300 |
| Course Code | ADLT/M/PX13 |
| Total Fee | £25 |
Beekeeping – Top Up (5)
'Top Up' Beekeeping day for those at the end of their first season. Review your first season and decide how to proceed. The day will include:
- Swarm control
- Reading the colony
- Varoa control methods
- Overwintering bees
- Making increase next season
- How to get the best from your bees
You are invited to email questions up to two weeks in advance of the course along with other topics you would like covering.
| Date | Saturday 15/10/11 |
| Duration | 1 session |
| Time | 1000-1500 |
| Course Code | ADLT/M/PX16 |
| Total Fee | £50 |
Beekeeping – Advanced Top Up (6)
Advanced 'Top Up' for those who have kept bees for two or more seasons. This is designed to cover further
techniques and strategys with bees. It will include:
- Alternative swarm control methods
- Honey preparation
- Reading and understanding the colony
- Queen rearing
- Questions arising from your first few years of beekeeping
You are invited to email questions up to two weeks in advance of the course along with other topics you you
would like covering.
| Date | Saturday 17/03/12 |
| Duration | 1 session |
| Time | 1000-1500 |
| Course Code | ADLT/M/PX17 |
| Total Fee | £50 |
