If you fancy taking up beekeeping or might just be interested in seeing the inside of a hive and honey bees at work. My courses and taster days could be for you.

The 3 day ” Hands-on” course will give you the confidence to get your first colony. Within the course you will also get your first hive, I will teach you to build it from a Thornes National hive kit, so you don’t make an expensive mistake. At the end of course you take the hive and frames home with you to finish off the contruction.

The Taster days will enable you to see if beekeeping is something you wish to take up or for those who are just curious to see the workings of a beehive.

First Beekeeping Course 22nd April and the First Taster Day 27th April are now both full.

But there are still places available on other dates.

Full details click at top of page to go to main website.

Checked hives yesterday as a bit warmer. Bees out and about around entrance. Gave each hive some fondant, but dont think they need it as when hefted each hive still felt nailed down. Personally not into Oxalic Acid, never treated a hive with it. I find Apiguard treatment in autumn does trick plus shallow frame in spring to control varroa in drone brood is enough. If I find in early March a reasonable amount of mite drop I may give each hive another tray of apiguard for 2 weeks, before the queen re-starts her laying.

Fondant placed over bee cluster. Note an eke in place to enable crown board and roof to fit.

Never seen inside a beehive – come and have a look

My beekeeping courses in Spring 2013 are being booked up fast. 1st Course in April is now full.
Stll places on courses starting 8th May 22nd May and 10th June.

I am also doing 2 Beekeeping Taster days for those who might be considering taking up beekeeping as a hobby or for those who out of general interest would like to see inside a beehive and honey bees at work.

Taste Day Sessions 27th April and 11th May 2013 Cost £35 per person max. 10 people

Full details of courses and taster days are on the main website ( link above )

Hives all seem nicely tucked up for winter, though bees still flying when sun is on hives. Gave them all a heft and all hives still feel nailed down.

I apologies to those of you interested in beekeeping, who view this blog to see so many spam comments. I delete them regularly, but it seems there are plenty of morons who have nothing better to do than write stupid comments. The english in some of them is so appalling that if they have so much time on their hands to write stupid comments, why not take an english course !! My web designers are working on it to try to prevent these moronic comments.