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.
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
Have you ever wondered what it looks like inside a hive? Are you looking for something different to give a friend, or loved one who has an interest in bees and beekeeping as a gift? We provide a two hour ‘Taster Session’ that will give the participant an insight into the world of the honeybee and beekeeping. You will be able to look at a Hive, find out about the Honeybee Lifecycle and put on a Beekeeping suit to look into a Live Hive and watch the Honeybees at work.
To book a taster session or for more information please email [email protected]
WNKLBA Taster Sessions 2020 |
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Date |
Time |
Location |
Saturday 13th June |
12 - 2 PM |
Rougham Apiary |
Sunday 5th July |
12 - 2 PM |
Rougham Apiary |
Sunday 26th July |
12 - 2 PM |
Rougham Apiary |
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
WNKLBA Beginners’ Course 2020 |
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Date |
Time |
Location |
Content |
20 Mar |
7-9 PM |
Necton Community Centre |
Theory |
27 Mar |
7-9 PM |
Necton Community Centre |
Theory |
3 Apr |
7-9 PM |
Necton Community Centre |
Theory |
24 Apr |
7-9 PM |
Necton Community Centre |
Theory |
25 Apr |
1-3PM |
Rougham Apiary – PE32 2SJ |
Practical |
3 May |
12-2 PM |
109 Sutton Rd, Walpole Cross Keys. PE34 4HE |
Practical. Immediately following Beekeepers’ Car Boot Sale: 10:30AM – 12PM |
10 May |
10:30AM – 3PM |
Necton Community Centre |
Training Day – Improving Bee Health |
17 May |
1–3PM |
Rougham Apiary – PE32 2SJ |
Practical |
31 May |
1-3 PM |
Rougham Apiary – PE32 2SJ |
Practical |
Thouse attending the beginners' course are also encouraged to attend the following members' training days: |
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Date |
Time |
Event |
Location |
8 Aug |
2:30pm |
Demo - Treatment and Winter Preparation of Hives |
Rougham Apiary PE32 2SJ |
4 Oct |
12-3PM |
Practical - Preperation for the new season. |
Rougham Apiary PE32 2SJ |
12 Dec |
12-2:00 |
Demo - Winter Treatments |
Rougham Apiary PE32 2SJ |
|
WNKLBA Improvers’ Course 2020 |
|||
Date |
Time |
Location |
Content |
5 Mar |
7-9 PM |
Necton Community Centre |
Theory |
12 Mar |
7-9 PM |
Necton Community Centre |
Theory |
21 Mar |
2-4 PM |
Rougham Apiary |
Practical |
18 Apr |
2-4 PM |
Rougham Apiary |
Practical |
10 May |
10:30AM – 3PM |
Necton Community Centre |
Training Day – Improving Bee Health |
16 May |
2-4PM |
Rougham Apiary |
Practical |
20 Jun |
2-4 PM |
Rougham Apiary |
Practical |
18 Jul |
2-4 PM |
Rougham Apiary |
Practical |
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
Choosing equipment Things you should know before buying second hand equipment This is a link to an excellent site for beginners |
Books and Videos Recommended reading for the beginner and reference books too; Full Details. |