A Beekeeping Taster Day

A great day if you are thinking about keeping bees, we will discuss beekeeping today, the apiary set up, why bees and other pollinators are so important, look at different types of hives and take a look inside a working beehive.  You will take home a bee-related gift, and notes about keeping bees.

Course Programme: 
Saturday: 9.30am - 4.30pm

What To Expect:

1. Introduction to bees and other pollinators. Learn about pollination, its importance and the role of the honey bees and other pollinators.

2. The Honey Bee.  Find out about the fascinating biology and behaviour of the honey bee.

3. What is involved in keeping honey Bees Consider what equipment and space is needed to keep bees and the regular and seasonal activities involved.  

4. Products of the Honey Bee Hive. Hear how to harvest and process the bounty from the hive and sample different kinds of honey.

5. A look inside a hive. Take a look inside a working beehive, see the colony structure; nest and honey stores and see how to identify the queen bee, workers and drones.

6. Choosing your Beehives. Take a closer look at the most commonly used types of hive, seeing how they fit together and discuss the pros and cons of each before deciding to make any investments.

An informal day learning about the Honey Bees, and how you can help.

Try samples of honey and take home a bee-related gift and notes from the day.

Refreshments will be provided, including a honey-themed cake.  Please bring your own packed lunch.

Parking is available at the entrance to our farm and our training room is just a short walk down our track.

What To Bring:

Just bring yourself, confirmation of your booking, a notebook, and any questions you may have, along with gloves (washing-up type gloves are fine) and wellies/boots.

A bee-suit will be provided.

Where the bees and the weather allow, this day will include an inspection of a hive.

Please arrive at 9.15 for a prompt 9.30 start.

Course Tutor:

Jill Sales & Josh Dean

Jill has been teaching professionally for many years and helping new beekeepers enjoy this skill. She keeps several colonies of bees and is the training coordinator for Hastings and Rother Beekeeping Association.  Jills kind, engaging, and professional teaching style is perfect for beginners to gain a basic understanding of this complex subject.  Josh is our Apiary Manager here at Mantel Farm and has a wealth of knowledge on bees and beekeeping equipment.