Beginners course 2025

Beginners will have 4 introductory sessions. Those who show aptitude and commitment will then be able to sign up for the whole course

• Introductory sessions. Cost £75
• Main course. Cost £175 including membership of the Association until September

All sessions are important. We do not run catch up sessions and a call to another course participant is never ever a substitute. Sessions can be changed if weather conditions prevent hive inspections. An alternative will usually be offered so please be flexible. You may be asked to travel out of area for one or two sessions.

Introductory sessions

Saturday 22nd February - Initial introduction (MW, HH)

How a hive works and protective equipment needed

Tuesday 4th March - via zoom 7:30pm (MW, PC)

The basics of bee biology. Mind blowing

Saturday 12th April - 11:30am-1pm - Swarm control (RG, KO, DP)

Navigating your way out of disaster. A theory session at the Horsted apiary in the hangar

Saturday 26th April - Introduction to the Bees (SB, PH, PL, M.Wilcox)

Opening a hive for real.

If continuing you should have ordered your flat packed hive for building on May 10th

Main Course

Saturday 10th May - (a whole day) - Swarm control for real (MW, M.Wilcox)

Horsted apiary 10am to 12pm (or longer if necessary)
1pm - 4pm Building your hive (MW, PC, RG, SB, M.Wilcox)

Saturday 28th June - 10am to 4pm - Bee Safari

To lead: SB, PE, KO, DP

Saturday 12th July - 11am to 1pm - Varroa control options - (MW, RG)

Horsted apiary

Saturday 2nd August - 10am to 3pm - Honey extraction (PC, PL)

Beginners and members
Horsted apiary

Saturday 13th September - Preparing hives for winter - 10am - 12pm (KO, RG)

Horsted apiary

Other sessions may be offered depending on course participants.

The sooner you get the bees the easier it will be to learn and progress. However if you have no experience you may need to wait and buy a nucleus of bees in June or July. No use shelling out loads of money to find you are highly allergic to bee stings.

The one requirement I make is that everyone should read my article on the website called Training overview. And their wives, husbands or partners should also read it. If you have any children, they should read it too. Discuss this with them before you sign up. If the whole family are not up for the challenge, it probably won’t work.

Malcolm Wilkie (training officer)