[Hatty]

Last year for my BH birthday I paid for him to do a 10 week bee keeping course, I am now part way through building him a Top bar Hive for his 40th at the end of April. this is all  ing done without him knowing. Its my 1st attempt at woodwork since I was a girl (school) and if I say so myself its not looking bad. I have found lots of Info. and instructions on  http://www.biobees.com/

My problem is as he doesn't know I can't ask him to look for bees he'll suspect something. does anyone know any bee keepers in the Yorkshire/Derbyshire/Lincolnshire area who sells bees?

The other thing is if they come on frames how do I transfer them to a Top bar hive?

[manian]

email derbyshire bee keepers association
they'll put you in touch with someone who has a swarm to sell soon
 

[oink]

heres a video of transferring frames to a top bar hive

Moving bees from frames to a top bar hive

Let me know how it goes, i'm planning on having a go later in the year

[ATF]

Let me know how it goes, i'm planning on having a go later in the year

me too - just as soon as get some wood to build the hive. Oh and find some where to put the hive I don't think they be welcome on the allotment.

[Plantoid]

Last year for my BH birthday I paid for him to do a 10 week bee keeping course, I am now part way through building him a Top bar Hive for his 40th at the end of April. this is all  ing done without him knowing. Its my 1st attempt at woodwork since I was a girl (school) and if I say so myself its not looking bad. I have found lots of Info. and instructions on  http://www.biobees.com/

My problem is as he doesn't know I can't ask him to look for bees he'll suspect something. does anyone know any bee keepers in the Yorkshire/Derbyshire/Lincolnshire area who sells bees?

The other thing is if they come on frames how do I transfer them to a Top bar hive?

Ceck on line to see if Thornes of wragby / Louth lincolnshire are still playing at selling  bees etc .  That way if they are you know you will be getting healthy bees to start up with .

 Transfering the bees is done by tipping the contents of the box into the hive when it is cooler and dusk or slightly  dark . tap the frame the bees are on over the open hive  to make sure the queen is not left out the hive.. try not to squash any bees when replacing the lid.
If it is raining or windy   do it as quick as possible and get then covered up.
 
The bees will crawl into the hive and cluster to keep the queen warm .. have some sugar syrup solution handy in a feeder  to feed them don't use diluted honey .. it may contain  harmful bacteria or fungi spores

[Darren]

this year I took 3 swarms and put them into top bar bait boxes to produce nucs using phils measurements then gave them to a friend (2 lots) and kept 1 lot next year I will make these available (any swarms I remove)once they have started comb building