"In the UK, three serious diseases of bees are currently notifiable and subject to control under bee disease legislation...These are the two bacterial diseases of brood - European foul brood (EFB), American foul brood (AFB), and varroosis (Varroa). In addition the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) and Tropilaelaps spp are now notifiable throughout Europe..."

Central Science Library

What do beekeepers do? One way to find out is to visit an apiary! But bees will be bees...

Warwickshire has eight Branch Associations, each with a programme of activities throughout the year. Honey bees are only active during the spring and summer, so the summer programme focuses on the apiary and the practical aspects of managing honey bees through the season. During the winter months each branch arranges a programme of talks and demonstrations.

If you are thinking of keeping bees, it is a good idea to come to branch meetings and find out more about the hobby and experience handling bees before you finally decide that beekeeping is for you. Some branches also run short introductory courses, which are invaluable for the beginner because, with a bit of knowledge to your elbow, when you take your first look at a hive, you see more than just a lot of buzzing insects.

Beekeeping for Beginners Course

The course follows the British Beekeepers Introduction to Beekeeping Syllabus to introduce the craft of beekeeping and with the practical sessions will assist in preparing the student for taking the BBKA basic assessment in Beekeeping ( if they wish, no compulsion).

Tutor

Christine Clifton BSc, Chair of Sutton Coldfield Branch of Warwickshire Beekeepers Association, Holder of the BBKA Advanced Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry.

Course Fee £45

Dates and Location

Four classroom lead sessions at:-
Park Hall Community School
Park Hall Road
Walsall

Beekeeping for Beginners Course

The course follows the British Beekeepers Introduction to Beekeeping Syllabus to introduce the craft of beekeeping and with the practical sessions will assist in preparing the student for taking the BBKA basic assessment in Beekeeping ( if they wish, no compulsion).

Tutor

Christine Clifton BSc, Chair of Sutton Coldfield Branch of Warwickshire Beekeepers Association, Holder of the BBKA Advanced Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry.

Course Fee £45

Dates and Location

Four classroom lead sessions at:-
Park Hall Community School
Park Hall Road
Walsall

Beekeeping for Beginners Course

The course follows the British Beekeepers Introduction to Beekeeping Syllabus to introduce the craft of beekeeping and with the practical sessions will assist in preparing the student for taking the BBKA basic assessment in Beekeeping ( if they wish, no compulsion).

Tutor

Christine Clifton BSc, Chair of Sutton Coldfield Branch of Warwickshire Beekeepers Association, Holder of the BBKA Advanced Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry.

Course Fee £45

Dates and Location

Four classroom lead sessions at:-
Park Hall Community School
Park Hall Road
Walsall

Beekeeping for Beginners Course

The course follows the British Beekeepers Introduction to Beekeeping Syllabus to introduce the craft of beekeeping and with the practical sessions will assist in preparing the student for taking the BBKA basic assessment in Beekeeping ( if they wish, no compulsion).

Tutor

Christine Clifton BSc, Chair of Sutton Coldfield Branch of Warwickshire Beekeepers Association, Holder of the BBKA Advanced Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry.

Course Fee £45

Dates and Location

Four classroom lead sessions at:-
Park Hall Community School
Park Hall Road
Walsall

Beekeeping for Beginners Course

The course follows the British Beekeepers Introduction to Beekeeping Syllabus to introduce the craft of beekeeping and with the practical sessions will assist in preparing the student for taking the BBKA basic assessment in Beekeeping ( if they wish, no compulsion).

Tutor

Christine Clifton BSc, Chair of Sutton Coldfield Branch of Warwickshire Beekeepers Association, Holder of the BBKA Advanced Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry.

Course Fee £45

Dates and Location

Four classroom lead sessions at:-
Park Hall Community School
Park Hall Road
Walsall

Change of Lecturer

Graham Royle NDB

"If Heath Robinson had been a beekeeper"

(Hints and Tips, Widgets and Thingymabobs)

at the National Beekeeping Centre, Stoneleigh

Light refreshments available

Honey bees swarm from April to July. Swarming is the natural way a honey bee colony divides to produce two colonies. About half the number of bees in the colony leave with the queen honey bee and look for a new home. The remaining bees stay in the old hive with a brand new queen. The process secures the survival of the colony which gets a young queen in replacing her aging mother. Beekeepers try to prevent their colonies swarming for a variety of reasons. For one thing, swarming depletes their stock of bees and reduces the honey crop. A swam starts by consuming as much honey as it can for setting up the new home. Swarms can also settle where they are not wanted, such as in domestic buildings, and they can carry disease.