The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Bees & Beekeeping => Topic started by: Marches Farmer on January 13, 2013, 05:34:01 pm

Title: Any Recommendations for a Bee Course?
Post by: Marches Farmer on January 13, 2013, 05:34:01 pm
Wanted to go on the Beginner's course run by the Herefordshire Bee Keeper's Association but it's on during lambing.  Anyone know of a good day or two-day course somewhere in the Welsh Marches?  Can't go too far as the farm will be full of young stock over Spring and Summer.
Title: Re: Any Recommendations for a Bee Course?
Post by: Bionic on January 14, 2013, 09:43:24 am
Most if not all of the beekeepers associations have courses. Have you tried any other associations?
Title: Re: Any Recommendations for a Bee Course?
Post by: Ina on January 14, 2013, 10:03:06 am
I had the same problem up here in Aberdeen. The course went over several weeks - I was ok for the theoretical, but the practical always fell into lambing time.
Title: Re: Any Recommendations for a Bee Course?
Post by: Bionic on January 14, 2013, 01:09:06 pm
The problem is that most courses are held when the bee season is inactive so that bee keepers have more time but then this coincides with lambing.
 
Marches Farmer, have you though about explaining the situation to your local Bee Keepers assoc. They may be able to do something just for you.
Title: Re: Any Recommendations for a Bee Course?
Post by: Marches Farmer on January 14, 2013, 05:42:15 pm
Yup, tried that.  Unfortunately the hall is already booked.
Title: Re: Any Recommendations for a Bee Course?
Post by: anderso on January 14, 2013, 06:06:30 pm
where about are you in the marches we are down on the Glos/wilts boarder and run a number of bee related sessions could give you thorey sessions and a live session when it suits you.
 
have you got bees or waiting to get them .
Title: Re: Any Recommendations for a Bee Course?
Post by: Marches Farmer on January 15, 2013, 10:52:17 am
We're in NE Herefordshire so a bit of a way from you.  We have a hive kit (I will get round to putting it together) and will put ourselves on the waitlist for a local swarm.
Title: Re: Any Recommendations for a Bee Course?
Post by: Plantoid on January 15, 2013, 12:24:57 pm
Have you got a be suit marigold gloves and a spare veil etc.
 Perhaps one of us retired bee keepers could come and park up a caravan etc for a couple of days at your place if it is a proper farm and not waist deep in mud etc.
Title: Re: Any Recommendations for a Bee Course?
Post by: Marches Farmer on January 16, 2013, 11:22:07 am
Yes, I have, and a ffarm holiday cottage!  This sounds like a stroke of genius!  PM me if you're a bee expert who'd like a couple of nights on a working rare breeds farm, etc., etc.!