Beekeeping for beginners ** COURSE FULL please call 01825 761 820 for alternatives ** (UC03L88E)
Course overview
Find out all you need to know about keeping bees from an expert beekeeper.
During this blended classroom and hands on course you will obtain all the necessary theoretical knowledge required to keep honey bees which will prepare you should you wish to become a beekeeper and you will experience handling live bees.
Where Uckfield College, Downsview Crescent, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3DJ.
When
| Day | Date | Time | Where |
|---|
| Wednesday | 17th April 2024 | 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Venue |
| Wednesday | 24th April 2024 | 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Venue |
| Wednesday | 1st May 2024 | 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Venue |
| Wednesday | 8th May 2024 | 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Venue |
| Saturday | 11th May 2024 | 10:00am - 1:00pm | Venue |
| Wednesday | 15th May 2024 | 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Venue |
| Saturday | 18th May 2024 | 10:00am - 1:00pm | Venue |
Cost
The full fee is £118.00.
The concessionary fee is £62.00.
What you already need to know
This course is suitable for complete beginners and those who would like to refresh their knowledge.
What you will learn
Beekeeping theory:
- The anatomy and lifecycle of a worker, drone and queen bee
- Understanding how the honey bee colony works
- The role of a beekeeper
- How to get started
- The hive and all its components
- The personal equipment required and how to use it
- Setting up an apiary
- Bee swarm prevention and control
- Capturing and hiving a swarm
- Bee and colony health, controlling diseases and pests
- Overwintering bees
- The beekeeping year and record keeping.
- Harvesting honey, collecting pollen and propolis
- Dealing with problems
- Observing health and safety when handling bees
- Arranging insurance in rural and urban areas
- Troubleshooting
Practical Beekeeping:
- Learn how to set up and maintain a hive
- Handle bees safely using suitable protective equipment
How you will learn it
The theoretical elements of this course will be taught on Wednesday evenings at Uckfield College and the practical Saturday sessions will be taught in the apiary at Uckfield College.
The Saturday sessions of this course are for practical handling of live bees.
If there is bad weather and a session needs to be postponed it will be held on 25th May.
Bring to the first session
Pen and Paper.
For the practical Saturday sessions you will need:
A full length boiler type bee keeping suit which includes a veil (approx. price £25) and wellington boots, plus bee keeping gloves that cover hands and forearms to the elbow (approx. price £10) as basic safety equipment.
Please avoid using strong perfumed products when attending the practical course.
Please do not purchase a beekeeping suit prior to the course as these can vary widely in price and efficiency. Steve will advise you on where to purchase the things you need.
Refreshments (The leisure centre is open on Saturdays for students to use the toilets and refreshments)
Extra study or practice
You will be given additional research to carry out at home if you wish to do so, but this will be optional.
How to enrol
You can enrol by phoning ACRES' House on
01825 761820 on Monday to Friday between 9:30 am and 4 pm. Alternatively, to register your interest in a course please email
adultlearning@acres.org.uk with the course title and your contact details and a member of the team will call you back to enrol you on your chosen course.
Previous students say
"Amazing course, I have learnt loads"
"Steve really knows his stuff"
"I am so excited to be finally getting my own bees. Steve has given me all the information I need and is on hand for advice along the way"
Additional Course Information
- Concessionary/reduced fees, are available to students in receipt of certain means-tested benefits on some courses.
- Fees and payment options: See the Financial Support page.
- Other course related information: See the Policies & Procedures page, or contact the ACRES office.
Next steps within this subject with ACRES
Future steps beyond ACRES
Find out about other courses with the
National Careers Service for opportunities to extend your skills and knowledge.
