Beekeeping Taster Course
Hosted by Stephen Brain
Type: Beekeeping Course - Beginner
Date: Sun 02 Sep 2012
Time: 14:00 - 17:00
Price: £30.00
Wheelchair Access: No
Dog Friendly: No
Child Friendly: Yes
Rating: - 11 reviews
About the course
A taster course for those interested in keeping bees.. Sessions available approximately every 6 weeks.
We will give an overview of the essentials of beekeeping and how you get started. The afternoon will cover a variety of topics so you can see what is involved in beekeeping:
- nature and structure of the colony
- equipment, hives, including Beehaus
- management throughout the year, including swarm control
- harvesting
- pests and diseases
- training, help and local organisations
- where to go from here
We will also look at one of Stephen's apiaries.
Homemade tea and cake provided! Why not give a course as a present? Book a course on behalf of someone and we can send a personalised invitation card!
We also run "Beekeeper for the Day" experience days. Contact us for details!
About Me
Stephen has kept bees for 23 years and is past President of Blagdon Branch of Avon Beekeepers. He is holder of the Briitish Beekeeping Association (BBKA) Advanced Theory Certificate with Credit, and also holds the BBKA Certificate in General Husbandry.
He is a key member of the Branch teaching programme. He teaches at the local beekeeping introduction classes, novice courses and practical apiary sessions for new members. He is also a BBKA correspondence course tutor and BBKA Assessor.
Stephen is a member of the branch swarm collection team and is currently instituting a bee breeding programme. He believes that new beekeepers should be given opportunities to receive first class training and mentoring so that they can develop into proficient beekeepers.
Stephen's long beekeeping career is a part of his smallholding here in North Somerset and the courses will be held on his own holding. Stephen believes in giving all potential beekeepers hands on experience with bees and not just theoretical knowledge. His Beekeeping for the Day courses will contain opportunities for you to meet his bees and gain experience in a practical environment. Stephen also offers other services such as personal mentoring, hive inspection and swarm collection, He can (subject to availability) provide colonies for sale. Stephen also helps runs a Bed and Breakfast so you could always combine attending a course with a stay at the award-winning Limes Bed and Breakfast ! (www.limesbb.co.uk)!
Contact Host
If you have a specific question about this course, you can contact the host by clicking the button below. If you have a general question about chicken, bees or rabbits, you can contact our experts here
Location
Latest Reviews For This Host
Good
- Juliet, 25 April 2012
Very informative Stephen did exactly want it said on the course!
Very friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable
- Christine, 07 March 2012
Useful course to give an idea of what's involved in Bee Keeping. Stephen was enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
A good overall introduction to beekeeping
- Gemma, 08 September 2011
The course gave me a good overall introduction into beekeeping... from getting in touch with my local Branch to the cost of equipment. Stephen's knowledge is vast & he had the answers for all our questions. The group was small (3 including me) & we all came from different backgrounds which was interesting. By the end of it my mind was buzzing with bee facts and I was a little confused as there was so much to take in but overall it was very informative.
Excellent
- Joe, 11 August 2011
I had a wonderful afternoon learning about Bee keeping. Stephen and his wife Heather were excellent hosts. Stephen's knowledge was unquestionable I learnt much more than if i read a book. Stephen was more than happy to answer my many questions. We also enjoyed looking at the solar panel farm after the taster session. Thank you to Stephen and also Heather who made a fantastic cup of tea. This course has filled me with excitement about Bee Keeping and i can't wait to get my hands own a hive of my own in the future Thank you Joe
Excellent introduction to Beekeeping
- Charles, 20 March 2011
This was a well structured and presented course which ensured that a new understanding of the nuances of beekeeping were fully understood. Initial reception and introduction by Stephen set the scene for the remainder of the day and we left with a new focus towards our wish to keep bees.
Fab
- Juliette, 13 February 2011
Really enjoyed the course.
Excellent
- Charles, 08 April 2010
I had my day's course on 6.4.10 and after an initial briefing I was provided with a bee suit and accompanied Steven to the first of several sites for opening and inspection of his hives. We went through the arrangements of the sections of his hives, and sections were removed and the broods examined. Various procedures were carried out and Steven fully explained what he was doing. I had several opportunitied to handle sections from hives with the bees on them. I thought that this was very confidence building, and gave the novice faith that the suits did in fact give protection. Steven is supremely knowlegable about beekeeping and is able to put that knowledge across. Both he and heather were very welcoming and I had a great day and visited some very interesting locations.
Beekeeping Taster Course
- Jane, 06 April 2010
Very enjoyable afternoon, just right for a taster course, Nice relaxed pace with time for plenty of questions. Interesting to see the Beehaus which was empty so able to open it and have a good look. Stephen is very approachable and a good host. Thanks to Heather for cups of tea and scrumptious cake!
Fantastic courses
- Beverley, 15 March 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed both the 'Beekeeping Taster Course' and the 'Getting Started' course...Plenty of useful information, discussions, frame-making, and of course the opportunity to ask questions, all hosted from Stephen's lovely home. Great presentations, great information...I can't recommend Stephen's courses highly enough!
Beekeeping
- An Omleteer, 07 February 2010
Very informative. Covered a lot of ground in the 2 hour course. A good background for doing a more in depth course.
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Average Rating:
4.5 Out of 5 Stars (Based on 11 reviews)
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