Education and Training

COVID-19 update

Following the latest advice from the Government on 16th March we are sorry to say that all WNKLBA training and events are cancelled for the foreseeable future.

We will monitor the situation and if possible, reinstate events should Government guidelines suggest it is safe to do so.  Apologies for any inconvenience.  

Information regarding members sales to follow in due course.

BEEKEEPING COURSES 

PLEASE NOTE - BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL

The following Sessions and Courses are normally run by the Association. These are in response to demand and may vary according to that and our own limited resources. If you are interested, please e-mail or talk to the relevant contact person as shown against each course to get further details and register your intention. 

1. TASTER SESSIONS

To book a taster session or for more information please email [email protected]

2. INTRODUCTION TO BEEKEEPING.

This course is run over the winter when the Theory aspects of keeping bees are taught and then followed by practical sessions in the following Spring and early Summer at the Association Apiary. The aim is to bring newcomers to the basic standard necessary to have their first hive(s). The cost is from £100 per person and this includes the training material.

Contact Lee Chapman on email at [email protected] 

3. IMPROVERS COURSE
This is open to Association members only who have done the Beginners course and is designed to take members to the point where they can gain their BBKA Basic Certificate in Beekeeping. There is no charge for this course.

Contact Venetia Rist on e-mail at [email protected]

WNKLBA Training Calendar 2020

GETTING STARTED

In summary you will need .... some knowledge, some equipment, an inquisitive mind and a few hours a week during the season (late March to September). As with many animals if you leave them alone they will die but if you look after them they will reward you with lots of honey and a wonderful sense of satisfaction too. Probably the best way to get started is to attend one of our Taster Sessions  If you join our association, which we hope you will, you will get insurance (public and product liability), a year book with lots of useful articles and a list of beekeepers in your area, and a newsletter which provides useful contacts, equipment and bees for sale and details of meetings.

Here is your first year in beekeeping

DURING THE WINTER:

› Go to lectures and meetings of your local branch. 
› Attend any courses you can find. 
› Read, using the library of your association and your local library. We suggest two of the books to read are "Guide to Bees and Honey" by Ted Hooper and "Beekeeping a Seasonal Guide" by Ron Brown. 
› Take a beekeeping journal 
› Find a site for keeping your bees, your garden may not be suitable. 

IN THE SPRING and SUMMER

› Buy, from a Beekeeper in your association if you can, a 4 frame nucleus with a young queen. Ask for bees that are quiet and easy to handle. With your nucleus you will gain, experience, confidence and manual skills. You are unlikely to have swarming problems. Your bees will be on 10 or 11 frames by July. 
› Feed your bees ready for winter. 

NEXT WINTER:

› Make or buy two more hives. 


IN THE FOLLOWING SPRING:

› Increase your bees to two stocks by making an Artificial Swarm. 
› Collect a Swarm. 

By the end of the season you will have three good stocks, experience and a crop of honey.

With Acknowledgment to RON BROWN of Devon

Beecraft Guide to BBKA Examination Structure. (PDF Download)

The BBKA Exam Structure.

The National Diploma in Beekeeping