EVENTS AND TRAINING

Beekeeping Course for Beginners


Beekeeping Course for Beginners Spring 2024

with Teifiside Beekeepers’ Association (TBKA)

Still thinking of a Christmas gift for a family member or friend? 

We will be running our popular Beginners’ Course again, starting in March 2024.

 

We begin with four theory sessions on Wednesday evenings in Coed y Bryn Village Hall on 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th March 2024, from 19:30-21:30. The theory sessions are followed by practical sessions at our club apiary on alternate Saturday/Sunday afternoons, 14:00-15:30, starting in late April (weather dependent). You will have the opportunity to link up with a Beekeeping Buddy to support you on your journey.

 

To register, please email Sara Rassner: education@tbka.org.uk Cost: £70 per individual, £115 for a couple living in the same household Limited Places Available – Book now to avoid disappointment!

The course fee is excellent value for money and includes TBKA annual membership for 2024. This also gives you access to our weekly club apiary sessions (alternate Saturdays/Sundays 14:00-16:00, April-Sep), which give you more hands-on experience with the bees and are a great way to continue developing your new found beekeeping skills and meeting more experienced beekeepers!

The theory sessions cover essential beekeeping topics, including Ancestry, Structure of Honeybee, Lifecycle of a Honeybee, Flying and Foraging, Communication, Setting Up an apiary, Equipment, Record Keeping, Bee Health and Swarming and Swarm Control. During the practical sessions, you will learn how to inspect a colony, manage a colony through the seasons, deal with common beekeeping tasks and problems, identify pests and diseases. You will also learn how to assemble frames and other equipment. We run a very friendly and supportive association and chatting with other beekeepers is a great way to learn more! Throughout the year, we offer workshops and talks for members. Popular past topics include Queen Rearing, Honey Extraction, Pests and Diseases, Wax Wrap Workshop, Polish and Lip Balms. As a member of the association, you will have access to these training sessions and workshops as well.

www.TBKA.org.uk



Beekeeping Course for Beginners Spring 2024 restricted for publication - Copy.pdf

Mead making workshop August 2023

We held a workshop to teach members how to make mead, our chairman (and very keen mead maker) Paul took the participants through the history of mead making and explained about the various types of mead it is possible to make. After sampling a variety of different meads we went on to make some for ourselves to take home and wait patiently for it to brew before the next stage of adding the flavourings (if so desired) or leaving the mead to finish maturing until it's ready to bottle. Have a look at the photos on our gallery page. 

2023 Beginners Course
The class of '23 have now completed their theory and have also been to practical sessions at the apiary, most now have their own bees. Good luck to you all
Here are some photos of the apiary sessions, learning how to light smokers, handling the frames, looking for brood, finding the queen, checking bee suits are properly fitted etc.

On Saturday 18th November we held a beeswax candle making workshop. We were taken through the whole process by Janet who explained everything from the time the wax is removed from the hives, rendering, cleaning and filtering. Who knew nappy liners could be so useful for filtering wax? Then once the wax is ready to use it can be coloured if needed.
We selected a mould from the extensive selection Janet brought with her, were guided through preparing the mould, putting in the wick and making everything leak proof. Once we had made one candle we were on a roll and began quite a production line!
Janet was assisted by Jean who made sure there was a good supply of melted wax for us to use.
After a break for lunch Irma brought her dipping tank to add to Janet's and we all made a pair of dipped candles. The selection of lovely candles we were able to take home made us all proud of what we had achieved.
Many thanks to Janet, Jean, Irma and not forgetting Janet's long suffering husband Colin for making this a wonderful day.