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About the course

Our course uses the British Beekeepers Association’s (BBKA) ‘Introduction to Beekeeping’ teaching materials. The courses objectives will allow people to:

Be able to understand the workings of a beehive

Understand the life cycle of a honeybee

Understand what is involved in keeping bees

Undertake some initial practical beekeeping

We run one course per year, over one weekend, with a maximum of 40 places available. The course fee for 2010 is £75.00 to include:

Membership of Ormskirk & Croston Beekeepers

Full membership of the BBKA

Six copies of the BBKA news per year

BBKA public & product liability insurance

In addition the two day course the fee includes attendance on a series of beekeeping sessions (Wed or Sun) to learn practical beekeeping skills from experienced beekeepers. Finally it also includes preferential on the waiting list to purchase live bees. Each student will need to bring their own protective footwear (Wellington boots) and a pair of marigold washing up gloves or disposable gloves for the 2nd day. Protective bee suits & veils will be loaned to students. Hive tools & beekeepers smokers will be available.

Programme

DAY ONE

(Lectures at Edge Hill University)

9.00am Registration Tea/coffee

9.45am Refresher on bees and hives

10.45am Break

11.00am Swarm control

12.00pm Lunch

1.00pm Pests & Diseases

2.00pm Break

2.15pm Beekeeping Year

3.15pm Finish

DAY TWO

(Practical Day at our out apiary)

9.45am Making a frame/ assembling a flat pack hive

10.45am Break

11.00am Honey & other products of the hive

12.00pm Lunch

1.00pm Apiary location

2.00pm Break

2.15pm Hive opening

3.15pm Summary session

3.30pm Close

(During day two the attendees will be split into two groups and will rotate the morning and afternoon sessions)

LIVE BEES

As noted during Sunday there will be opportunity to open ahive. Should the weather be totally unsuitable an alternative date will be arranged for this element.