Hi Neil
I only began this year so the best advice I can give is to join the local association and book into their training for next year. The Wirral branch of Cheshire Beekeepers run a theory series early on followed by practical sessions once the weather improves at Ness Gardens.
I'm in Chester so a bit off the usual area for the Wirral group but their training fitted in with my work commitments.
Finding a mentor isn't easy but ask around and you'll find someone willing to lend a hand.
Advice from experienced beekeepers varies from - don't get bees until you know what you're doing - to - get some bees and learn as you go along. My experience was somewhere between the two. Do some training, then get bees as you continue training. Having your own bees to handle and figure out is a steep learning curve but there is loads of good advice on here.
It's coming towards the end of the training season so not much chance of starting from scratch now, but look on the website and see if there are some meetings you can come along to.
You need to find what works for you. I have a neighbour who started last year so we're both newbies, and we do things quite differently. So there's no single right way.
