Education And Training

Every year the SBKA run an 8 week introductory course on Beekeeping. The course syllabus is below, and will give a sound introduction to the basics. Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of colony management, and remove some of the myths about bees.

Class of '26 was well received by the students, they were all given a pack of goodies including a book, all the students were pleased with very positive feedback on the final week, all now have their own bees, which is fantastic.

Course dates for 2027 will be announced her when they are available

If you are interested, please complete the contact form, and a member of the association will be in touch.

Week 1 - Introduction to Beekeeping

Introduction
Tea, coffee and cake!
Run through books and folders
Build both brood and super frames
Try on Bee Suits
Advice on where to buy equipment

Week 2 - The life of the honeybee queen, worker and drone

Development of the Queen, worker and drone
Identify brood in all stages and honey, nectar and pollen in the comb
Periods spent as egg, larva pupa and adult summer and winter bees life span
Collection and use of pollen, nectar, water and propolis
How the honeybee passes the winter

Week 3 - Equipment

Personal equipment needed to open a hive of honeybees

and importance of cleanliness.

Able to name and explain the functions of the principle parts of the modern beehive. Different types of hives and their advantages and disadvantages
Use of hive tool, smoker and other tools; spray, queen cages, nucs, markers bucket for washing soda
Effects of stings and treatment