New to bee keeping, Ashwater in Devon

[Mr Jinx]

Hi

I am new to this and rightly or wrongly will be getting a hive of bees in a couple of weeks time.

I work away from home in the week so only here at weekends. I would like to do a course on bee keeping but all courses are run when I am out of the local area.

I have read a few books but would really like to find some one local that can assist me in my learning.

Any offers?

Peter

 

[oliver90owner]

'Goggle' your local BKA. They may likely have apiary meetings at weekends, too.

RAB

 

[RoseCottage]

Welcome Peter to the forum.
Rab is right your best, easiest bet is likely your local BKA, have a look in this list or Google your local area:

http://************************/local_associations_about_us.php


Enjoy your new hobby and remember the forum is here to help,

All the best,
Sam.

 

[drstitson]

why not look for courses or apiary meets where you are in the week? That's what i do.

 

[Mr Jinx]

Hi I have and they run at the weekends only so I am geographically out of synch

 

[DanBee]

Peter - you are more likely to get regular weekend apiary meetings now than a formal beginners course. These are still valuable and generally cater well for beginners. You appear to be between Holsworthy and Tavistock branches, and there may also be something over the border in Launceston. Bear in mind that if you join any branch in a county, you are entitled to turn up at meetings at any other branch in the county, so you can pick'n'mix if you wish.

My experience of what is running in the way of training and meetings is mainly of south and east Devon so I can't be too specific. I'd recommend you give Alison Howes a call at Tavistock branch, or Reg Godwin at Holsworthy, and see what is happening. Both their numbers are on the 'contacts' page of the Devon Beekeepers website - google for 'Devon Beekeepers' and it should be the first result.

 

[psafloyd]

Hi

I am new to this and rightly or wrongly will be getting a hive of bees in a couple of weeks time.

Wrongly I'd have said. How can you manage the bees if you haven't had any training, whether formal or informal?

I don't mean it cannot be done, but I am a kind of person who can take in information from texts, had read six books before I started my course, but would have been lost with a colony approaching it's **** in summer.

And, unfortunately, bees don't always do things neatly at the most convenient time. For us, that is.

Good luck and hopefully you will find a mentor who is prepared to be hands on sooner rather than later.