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bee keeping classes and training 2012

The Art and Craft of Natural Beekeeping

for novices/beginners

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:

  • The nature of honeybees and their relationship with flowering plants
  • The history of our relationship with bees
  • Principles of natural beekeeping
  • Planning and preparation
  • The top bar hive: construction and use
  • Keeping healthy bees
  • Your first beekeeping year

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:

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


The Art and Craft of Natural Beekeeping

for improvers/converters

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:

  • 'Natural' as compared to 'conventional' beekeeping
  • The top bar hive: construction and use
  • Hive design adaptations and improvements
  • Swarming and swarm management
  • Making splits and rearing queens
  • Pests and diseases

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:

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

Monthly meetings

Talks - Phil Chandler

  • London
  • Totnes April 17 (TBA)
  • Melksham, Monday April 30, Broughton Gifford Village Hall, Melksham, Wilts details
  • Trill Farm, nr. Axminster, Dorset, Friday May 11 Supper and Bee Conversations Talk by Phil Chandler, food by Daphne Lambert
  • Denver, Colorado (TBA)

Natural Beekeeping Workshops in Oxfordshire

Gareth John holds natural beekeeping workshops for beginners and intermediates in West Oxfordshire. These are put together to suit the needs of the participants. If you are interested in attending one, please email Gareth.

Natural Beekeeping for Gardeners

Phil Chandler

International Natural Beekeeping online interactive course

A four-week course in Natural Beekeeping from the #1 online gardening school, with audio-visual teaching and marked assignments.

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© 2012 P Chandler  Friends of the Bees

bee keeping classes and training