A good top bar hive book

[Russel]

Well ... I hope their bees (if they are still alive in Spring) conveniently swarm and occupy the empty hive that they have provided for them ... I will take some of mine down there so that they can train them for me if it happens ...

I'm sure all will be okay
"The initiative was welcomed by Coleg Gwent tutors who attended specialist training on sustainable bee keeping from ‘Bees for Development’ based in Monmouth before the bees arrived at the end of term."

"The traditional National hive is geared towards honey production, but the hives at Coleg Gwent just provide a home for the bees to increase pollination."
They're going to be in for a surprise!

 

[pargyle]

I'm sure all will be okay
"The initiative was welcomed by Coleg Gwent tutors who attended specialist training on sustainable bee keeping from ‘Bees for Development’ based in Monmouth before the bees arrived at the end of term."

"The traditional National hive is geared towards honey production, but the hives at Coleg Gwent just provide a home for the bees to increase pollination."
They're going to be in for a surprise!

Very appropriate training then ...

 

[itma]

... at the beginning of the year Coleg Gwent invited us and several other interested parties to a meeting on keeping bees on campus. Our cautionary advice as to type of hives, training, location, swarm and pest managment appear to have been ignored.
Last paragraph on this page says it all!
Coleg Gwent abuzz with bees

Judging by the photos, I'd guess that your advice on gloves was ignored as well ...

 

[itma]

... TBH require good basic beekeeping skills, and then the extra skills of a frameless hive. ...

Precisely my opinion based on experience and observation of others.

As I said before, frames make things easier for the beginner.

 

[Smorning]

I use both nationals and topbar hives and I know all beeping is local and personal but I much prefer the topbar hives. The issue of cross combining needs to be managed but once mastered there are many benefits providing honey harvest is not a major issue. The bees are a lot calmer in the top bar hive and provided you follow the basic design principles they can be very rewarding. I held an open apiary session and shared all bad and good and the conventional bee keepers were impressed with the top bar hive. If you consider with a open mind without prejudice this design of hive has many aspects of benefit but it's not plain sailing but yet again neither is a national hive.