This course is intended for people who have decided they do want to start beekeeping. A prerequisite is that you should have attended an introductory course on what beekeeping is about, or have read much about bee keeping and already had some hands-on experience with inspecting honey bee colonies.

The course will be held at the Swindon Beekeepers Apiary, at TWIGS (Therapeutic Work in Gardening, Swindon), Manor Garden Centre, Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, SN2 2QJ.

The aim of the course is to provide attendees with enough knowledge and experience to start keeping honey bees with confidence and success. The course will consist of four sessions:

• Lifecycle of the honey bee, rules of colony inspection and kit for inspecting colonies,

• Hives, frames, bee-space and swarm management,

• Identification and management of diseases and pests,

• Choosing your apiary site, health & safety issues, and other guidance for starting bee keeping.

Each session will include hands-on experience with inspecting colonies and handling bees (subject to weather conditions).

Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions at all times.

Participation in each course will be limited to 7 attendees.

The first course in 2010 will be on:
Sun 11th & Sun 18th April and Sun 2nd & Sun 16th May

The second course will be on:
Sun 27 June & Sun 4th, 11th and 18 July

Each session will last from 9.30am to about 12.30pm.

Attendees should bring notebook and pens (plus reading glasses if needed to be able to see honey bee eggs), and for the hive inspection session bring a pair of marigold gloves, wellies and wear light-coloured trousers with no bare midriff please.

The organisers will provide bee tops to wear for the hive inspections. Attendees will be provided with a copy of useful information helpful for starting beekeeping. Attendees who attend all four sessions in the course will be given a certificate of attendance.

The course leader will be Ross Gregory, Training Officer, Swindon BKA.

The charge for the course last year was £44 (including Associate Membership of Swindon BKA to October)
A reduced charge of £35 will apply to those who have paid for Associate Membership of Swindon BKA.

To book a place on one of these courses or for more information please contact:

Ross Gregory, email: rossg@dsl.pipex.com, or phone: 01793-762355