Hi Tristan & Welcome.
It was my first year at keeping bees in 2008, one of the first things i did was go along to a local association to meet other Beekeepers, i read lots and lots of books over the winter 2007 into 2008. Looked on the Internet for further websites to read about bees.
I also looked into the equipment required, making sure i had all the basic components i would need, and had this set up and ready, once i found my first "Out Apiary. (Again the web searches were invaluable).
At this point i had not even asked for Bees, but after 2 or 3 meetings, i had offers of Bees from members of the local association, the hardest part of all this was the waiting, and i think my first lot arrived end of April.
Good Luck & Keep us posted on your progress.
Andy