New guy in Cambridge

[petemcadam]

Hello. Thanks for adding me to the forum.

I'm from a village just outside Cambridge (Cambs) I have a small allotment with permission tp keep bees.
The idea has been growing on me since I discovered how fascinating beekeeping can be.
Im hoping to build a hive over the winter and get some bees in spring.
I will be on the hunt out for as much info and friendly advice as possible to help get me going.

Looking forward to meeting some of you experienced bee keepers in the months ahead.

Regards

Pete

 

[nantmoel]

Welcome to the forum, I hope you get the help you need here.

 

[Pete D]

Hi Pete, welcome to the forum and beekeeping. Enjoy both.

 

[bpmurray]

Welcome - they are indeed fascinating.

If you plan on building your own hives, read up on "bee space" - the late Dave Cushman's site has a load of information that'll help, once you decide on which hive type to go with.

 

[petemcadam]

That looks like a very good site. Thanks.

 

[pargyle]

Welcome to the forum ... I built my own first hive ... well, actually, I built it three times - got it wrong the first two (and the third actually - although it was used for 3 years in faulty state).

My advice ... decide what type of hive you want ... see what hives other people in your area use - join your local association - do the beekeeping course that they will undoubtedly offer - read everything you can about bees between now and spring and read the posts in this section daily and save every penny you can - you are going to need it - trust me - beekeeping is a whole lot more than just a box filled with bees.

Then - in spring - spend all the money you have saved up on two (yes - you WILL need two) off the shelf hives - preferably polystyrene ones. You will have enough to worry about without building hives yourself.

Good luck ...

 

[megadyptes]

If you haven't already done so, get in touch with Cambridge Beekeepers: http://www.cbka.org.uk/
Lots of knowledge and are a pretty friendly bunch. Beginners courses start early in the new year.

 

[Robbo8916]

Hello and

 

[mjt68]

Welcome! Give me a shout if you need anything!

 

[BrianO]

Welcome to the forum ... I built my own first hive ... well, actually, I built it three times - got it wrong the first two (and the third actually - although it was used for 3 years in faulty state).

My advice ... decide what type of hive you want ... see what hives other people in your area use - join your local association - do the beekeeping course that they will undoubtedly offer - read everything you can about bees between now and spring and read the posts in this section daily and save every penny you can - you are going to need it - trust me - beekeeping is a whole lot more than just a box filled with bees.

Then - in spring - spend all the money you have saved up on two (yes - you WILL need two) off the shelf hives - preferably polystyrene ones. You will have enough to worry about without building hives yourself.

Good luck ...

That about sums it up ! If you did as above you would be coming out of the blocks first with a head start. Ignore at your peril ! and Best of luck ! you will love it.

 

[jgreen]

Welcome to the forum.

I can also recommend Dave Cushmans site I have used it to help me with building my hives, however I did cheat by buying one then copying it. I build nationals and now have it down to a fine art and can turn a block of cedar into a super in about 2 hours. I get my cedar from http://www.southgatetimber.co.uk/ bit of a trek for you though. I buy railway sleeper size pieces and get a complete hive with 3 supers from one length with bits left over. If you are like me I enjoy the woodwork as much as the bee keeping.

Definitely read up on the subject - I like Ted Hoopers book, and definitely enroll on a bee keeping course - there is more to beekeeping than meets the eye! I've only been bee keeping for little over 1 year, but in that time I have had to deal with artificial swarm, robbing, varroa treatment, wasp and hornets, feeding... and honey - Its been great fun!

Julian

 

[pjb1972]

Welcome to the site

 

[Kuirephoebe]

Hi, did you watch Martha Kearney on bee keeping? It was on BBC 4 over the last couple of weeks. Absolutely fascinating - I think it can still be seen on iplayer or someone has saved copies on You Tube. We are also in Cambridgeshire and hoping to start bee keeping next year.

 

[beebot]

If you are going to go for National hive polys then they are still on sale at Pains. Not sure what other sales for poly hives exist.