Beginners’ Course 2020
Dates, 19th April, 26th April, 3rd May, 17th May,
31st May, and an Apiary Day on 7th June .
Time : 2.00 – 4.00pm
Venue: Cellan Millennium Hall SA48 8HZ
Cost: £85.00pp
The Beginners’ Course
This comprehensive course consists of five theory classes held from 2.00 – 4.00 on Sunday afternoons from late April onwards each year. After the theory classes finish, all beginners are welcome to attend the open sessions held at the Association’s apiary on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer to observe and assist our Apiary Management Team.
The costs for the full course is £ 85.00 per person or £160.00 per couple payable in advance or on the day of the first theory class. Your first year’s membership of our association is included in this fee. See the Join Us pages for information on the benefits of Membership.
This year’s programme
Week 1: 19th April 2020
Life in the beehive
Understanding the life of the colony
Queen, workers and Drones
Life Cycles and Colony development
The annual cycle of the colony
Communication and control in the beehive
Week 2: 26th April 2020
The Beekeeper’s Year
Seasonal Management and Activities
The five Questions
Siting Apiaries
Records
Handling Techniques
Week 3: 3rd May 2020
Getting down to Basics
Equipment
History of hives, bees and mankind
What it looks like, what you need and what you don’t
Buying bees and Equipment
Making frames
Week 4: 17th May 2020
Swarming
Planning for Swarms
Simple Biology
Collecting Swarms
Week 5: 31st May 2020
Things that can go wrong
Diseases
Other problems, stings and first aid.
Week 6: 7th June 2020
Apiary Session
Mentoring
Week 7: Date to be advised
Honey extraction
Plus
Practical Sessions at the Apiary from the end of June to Sept.
