This is an opportunity to learn about natural beekeeping in top bar hives: a simple, practical way to have healthy and happy bees in your garden, with the possibility of your own honey harvest, but without the cost and complications associated with conventional beekeeping.

This beginners' course is intended for people with no previous knowledge of bees or beekeeping, and will provide you with all the information you need to decide if, when and how you will become a beekeeper.

We will discuss:

If possible - weather permitting - we will spend some time with bees in a top bar hive, so please bring suitable clothing; at least a hat and veil, or a beekeeping suit if you prefer.

2012 venues:

• Radford Mill Farm, Timsbury, Somerset, March 9-11 Call Richard Fox 07908 088369 for last minute bookings
• Welcombe North Devon, March 23-25
• Embercombe, South Devon, April 20-22
• One-day workshop with Zoe Hawes, North Somerset, May 1st details
• Embercombe, South Devon, May 4-6
• Embercombe, South Devon, May 18-20
• Brinscall Hall nr. Chorley, Lancs. June 8-10
• Welcombe North Devon, June 15-17
• Carraig Dúlra organic farm Co. Wicklow, Eire, July 7-8
• Welcombe North Devon, September 7-9

Please refer to the host site for this event for further information and booking procedures.

This weekend course is an opportunity to learn the basics about 'natural beekeeping' in top bar hives. This is a simple, practical way to have healthy and happy bees in your garden, with the possibility of your own honey harvest, but without the cost and complications associated with conventional beekeeping.

This 'improvers/converters' course is intended for people with some experience of beekeeping in any type of hive and basic knowledge of bee anatomy and behaviour is assumed. We will spend less time on the basics and more on the practical aspects of working with bees in a more natural way. You are encouraged to contribute your own experiences to our discussions, which are likely to include:

If possible - weather permitting - we will spend some time with bees in a top bar hive, so please bring suitable clothing; at least a hat and veil, or a beekeeping suit if you prefer.

2012 venues:

• Embercombe, South Devon, April 6-8 2012
• Welcombe North Devon, July 13-15 2012
• Embercombe, South Devon, June 29 - July 1 2012
• Brinscall Hall nr. Chorley, Lancs. September 21-23

Please refer to the host site for this event for further information and booking procedures.