Course 1 - Thinking of becoming a bee keeper?

2024

Saturday; April 13th, 2024
At our Northop College Apiary 1.30pm

Session will be a brief introduction to what it takes to become a beekeeper with a visit into the Association hives.

Cost £10 per person, over 14 years only.

The next session will be September 2024, if you do not get a place on this session.

Please contact the Secretary to book your place.

Sunday; September 29th, 2024

At our Northop College Apiary 1.00pm

Session will be a brief introduction to what it takes to become a beekeeper with a visit into the Association hives.

Cost £10 per person, over 14 years only.

Please contact the Secretary to book your place.

Course 2 - Practical Beginners Course April 2024

This course, in 2024, is now FULL

Courses will run again in 2025, but be aware they are in high demand (so please sign up early)

This course is a mix of theory online and practical at one of the associations apiaries. As part of signing up to the course, you can be added to our list of those that will require bees (if required). The bees will be from a local Flintshire Beekeeper, will have a current year 'marked' queen (unless otherwise advised) and you will have the opportunity to meet and obtain guidance and advice from the Beekeeper who raised your colony.

The Flint & District Beekeeper Association advocates acquiring bees local and from within Flintshire to best succeed with newly hived bees.

Begins April 2024

Venue : Northop Apiary except first meeting

Session 1

In April @ 7.30pm: Date and venue to be issued
Making a hive and hive parts. Practical session to show how to make up frames, brood box, supers. To explain the parts of a hive. We will be building a flat pack hive so it would be useful if participants brought along a small hammer.
Session 2 Online theory;

Session 3 At the Apiaries, 6.30pm
Handling the bees, lighting a smoker, protective gear and colony records. Full beesuits will be needed for this session as we go through the hive recording what we find. Bring along your smoker to have a go at lighting.

Session 4 Online theory;

Session 5 At the Apiaries, 6.30pm

The bee colony. Full beesuits will be needed for this session as we look at the different bees in the hive, find the Queen and possibly mark her.

Session 6 Online theory;

Session 7 At the Apiaries, 6.30pm

Controlled expansion. Full beesuits will be needed for this session as we look at a hive preparing to swarm and how to deal with this.

Session 8 Online theory;

Session 9 At the Apiaries, 6.30pm

Disease. Full beesuits will be needed for this session as we look through the hives to check for any sign of disease and discuss treatments.

Session 10 Honey Session ( May/August/September)
Taking the honey crop (and varoa treatment). This will be arranged when the crop is ready throughout the season.
 

Please Note :

1 Beesuits, Wellingtons and Gloves

There are a limited number of association beesuits available to borrow. So although not essential it is advisable to provide your own. You must provide your own wellingtons and washing up gloves

2 Course Numbers

Course numbers are restricted, the cost is £60 payable in advance.

3 Obtaining bees after the course

Course participants will be able to put their name on a list for a nuc. We can not guarantee when they will become available.

4 Changes may happen due to the pandemic

Due to the current global crisis these details may change with some online meetings as well as practical hive handling. You will be allocated a tutor who will confirm where you are to meet on the practical sessions. Each session will have a theory online meeting on the Wednesday evening at 8pm for approximately an hour.

5 Booking the course
The cost is £60 payable in advance.

Please contact the Secretary to book your place.