Hi From Somerset

[Samurai]

Hi, just a quick intro. I'm a new member currently doing a Beginners Course with the Somerton Beekeeper's Association and thoroughly enjoying it. I've wanted to keep bees since I was a kid, many moons ago. My wife and I always wanted a smallholding like my Mum and Dad but kids and life has passed that opportunity by.

However, despite the fact that we have a relatively small garden, we are fortunate enough to live in a village and have a number of farmer friends who are happy for me to keep bees on their land which is ideal. So beekeeping is the closest I'll be able to get to smallholding, unless I win the Lottery. It's a sad fact of modern life that you have to be rich to live like a peasant these days .

I'm looking to go into next winter with two colonies, as I understand that this is a good insurance against the likelihood of losing one for a variety of reasons. I've not purchased any equipment yet as there is a local Beekeepers auction run by a local Association at the beginning of April where we've been advised that we might be able to get some good deals. My only concern is will that be leaving things a bit late in the season for getting a Nuc, leaving me just the option of a potential swarm?

Many thanks for any advice.

 

[Erichalfbee]

It's a sad fact of modern life that you have to be rich to live like a peasant these days

Absolutely not. Depends where you want to live.

 

[The Poot]

Hi, just a quick intro. I'm a new member currently doing a Beginners Course with the Somerton Beekeeper's Association and thoroughly enjoying it. I've wanted to keep bees since I was a kid, many moons ago. My wife and I always wanted a smallholding like my Mum and Dad but kids and life has passed that opportunity by.

However, despite the fact that we have a relatively small garden, we are fortunate enough to live in a village and have a number of farmer friends who are happy for me to keep bees on their land which is ideal. So beekeeping is the closest I'll be able to get to smallholding, unless I win the Lottery. It's a sad fact of modern life that you have to be rich to live like a peasant these days .

I'm looking to go into next winter with two colonies, as I understand that this is a good insurance against the likelihood of losing one for a variety of reasons. I've not purchased any equipment yet as there is a local Beekeepers auction run by a local Association at the beginning of April where we've been advised that we might be able to get some good deals. My only concern is will that be leaving things a bit late in the season for getting a Nuc, leaving me just the option of a potential swarm?

Many thanks for any advice.

Welcome to the forum
I wish you well and keep me informed if you have difficulty getting bees. I might be in a position to help if all mine come through Winter….

 

[Samurai]

Absolutely not. Depends where you want to live.

Very true but anywhere in the West Country less than £500k for anywhere half with an acre or two of land that doesn't involve living in a caravan or renovation project, forget it. I'm afraid that at fast approaching 60, I really don't have the drive, desire or more importantly money to do that.

 

[Samurai]

Welcome to the forum
I wish you well and keep me informed if you have difficulty getting bees. I might be in a position to help if all mine come through Winter….

That's most kind of you and thanks for your encouragement and offer, it's much appreciated

 

[enrico]

If you need any help I am just down the road at Stoke St Gregory but Somerton is a good society so they will give you loads of help. Best of luck and Welcome

 

[Samurai]

If you need any help I am just down the road at Stoke St Gregory but Somerton is a good society so they will give you loads of help. Best of luck and Welcome

Thanks Enrico, it's good to know there's help on hand, I'm sure I'm going to need all the help and advice I can get!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Very true but anywhere in the West Country less than £500k for anywhere half with an acre or two of land that doesn't involve living in a caravan or renovation project, forget it. I'm afraid that at fast approaching 60, I really don't have the drive, desire or more importantly money to do that.

I was 61 when husband and I moved to 3.5 acres in Ceredigion. It's a wonderful place

 

[wilvaughan18]

Keeping on the farm is a good idea, I tried at home until I had a day when mine went a bit mad. Somerset is a good county club. The second hand sale is good, obviously it varies year on year, I go most years, last year was a bit sparse, 3 years ago it was amazing.

 

[judy12]

Welcome to a brilliant hobby. I feel so lucky that I followed Sherlock Holmes' example and took on a hive when I retired. From now on you'll never be lost for a topic of conversation. Among their many virtues Beekeepers are champions at talking bees.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I feel so lucky that I followed Sherlock Holmes' example and took on a hive when I retired

I hope you didn't take up his heroin habit.

 

[pargyle]

Very true but anywhere in the West Country less than £500k for anywhere half with an acre or two of land that doesn't involve living in a caravan or renovation project, forget it. I'm afraid that at fast approaching 60, I really don't have the drive, desire or more importantly money to do that.

We are trying to find somewhere with a bit of space around it in the vicinity of Frome, where our daughter and family live ... I feel your pain .. the 'DFL's' since Covid and the celebrity status of some of the villages in the area have a lot to answer for !

 

[enrico]

We are trying to find somewhere with a bit of space around it in the vicinity of Frome, where our daughter and family live ... I feel your pain .. the 'DFL's' since Covid and the celebrity status of some of the villages in the area have a lot to answer for !

There is a barn just come up for residential renovation at Athelney . Going for auction, Cooper and Tanner if I remember right. Not much land with it but in the middle of farmland. Bit damp there though

 

[pargyle]

There is a barn just come up for residential renovation at Athelney . Going for auction, Cooper and Tanner if I remember right. Not much land with it but in the middle of farmland. Bit damp there though

Yes ... we;ve looked at a few that look good value only to discover they are bang in the middle of a flood zone ...

 

[The Poot]

Yes ... we;ve looked at a few that look good value only to discover they are bang in the middle of a flood zone ...

That’s Somerset for you

 

[The Poot]

Yes ... we;ve looked at a few that look good value only to discover they are bang in the middle of a flood zone ...

For Frome, the proximity to Bath and Bristol is the issue. Don’t even think about Shepton Mallet (I won’t say what the locals call it!)
We used to live outside Yeovil (much better than inside!) but moved back to Dorset. My daughter is about to move from Dorset to Somerset (must be something I said) and looking at properties with her has been an eye opener. Prices have risen enormously there and my old cottage represents a much higher value now, than when we sold. That’s the way the mop flops I suppose. Gillingham doesn’t seem too bad but there’s a lot of development going on there. I wish you the best of luck.

How about this one - in a nice area and surrounded by farmland and close to an excellent farm shop that I frequent!
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/156617795#/map?channel=RES_BUY

 

[enrico]

Yes ... we;ve looked at a few that look good value only to discover they are bang in the middle of a flood zone ...

This actually hasn't flooded as the flood plains are on the other side of the river but that will be what keeps the price down.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Shepton Mallet

I was at a pop concert there, June 1970
Led Zeppelin Pink Floyd Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention The Byrds Canned Heat Johnny Winter Jefferson Airplane Santana Dr John

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I'd just finished potty training

 

[The Poot]

I was at a pop concert there, June 1970
Led Zeppelin Pink Floyd Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention The Byrds Canned Heat Johnny Winter Jefferson Airplane Santana Dr John

That’s quite a line up! At the Bath and West Showground?