Hand's on learning for budding beekeepers
With over 25 years commercial beekeeping experience, and more than ten apiary sites throughout the Ceiriog Valley, there's no better way to learn the art and science of beekeeping than by a hand's on day with The British Bee Company.
Our training days are suitable for all abilities and expertise - from total novices, intermediate/hobby beekeepers to those wishing to experience the running of a well established, commercial beekeeping business.
Topics covered will be dictated by the season, so be sure to get in touch early if there is a particular area you would like to learn about.
Training days will include, but are not limited to the following areas:
April
Queen marking
Assessing the colonies
Studying colonies with AMM characteristics
Adding fresh foundation
Adding the first super
Encouraging drone production and the importance of drones in the colony
Apiary location
May
Dealing with colony expansion
Studying colonies with AMM characteristics
Adding fresh foundation
Adding supers
Looking at available forage
The spring nectar flow
Swarm control
Splitting & making up nuclei
June
Swarm control
Splitting and making up nuclei
The June gap
Building up nuclei
July
Looking for newly laying Queens
Assessing NLQs
Moving hives to forage sources
Expansion of nuclei
 img_1448 |  Queen marking |
|---|---|
 Hive inspection |  Honeybee on a flowering currant |
 Photobomb! |  Education in action |
 Queen cells |
If you would like to enquire about attending a training day, please get in touch via email
Prices from £75 for full day beekeeping course - please note that beekeeping is weather dependent. Flexibility may be required regarding the date and start time of our training.
Please bring your own quality bee suit and gloves - we find rubber gloves offer more dexterity than leather. Sturdy boots (walking boots or wellingtons) should be worn.
Come prepared for hand's on learning, with your own picnic lunch including something to drink. Be mindful that during summer, things can get hot in a bee suit!
Your own transport will be required to meet to begin the day.
Once we set off you are welcome to ride in the Landy with Kirsty, however we understand some people may prefer to follow in their own vehicle. If you are doing this, please be aware we will be travelling on rural roads which are often narrow.
If you would like to make a week or weekend of it, get in touch with us and we we will be happy to give recommendations for some lovely places to stay in the valley!
Disclaimer: all duty and care will be taken throughout the day, but we cannot be held responsible for accidents, or adverse reaction to bee stings. Attendees will need to sign a disclaimer to take part in activities of the day.
Beekeeper Training
"Each visit was an amazing experience. You can read as much as you can about bee keeping, nothing beats hands on experience from the expert. It gave me the confidence to go back to my new hives and put those new skills into practise."
— Rosemary Jones, Chirk
"I can wholeheartedly recommend training with The British Bee Company. I spent two days with Kirsty in the beautiful Ceiriog Valley, and learnt about splitting and uniting hives, and moving hives to overwintering sites. Kirsty is very knowledgeable and is happy to share her experiences of beekeeping. I am new to beekeeping and I left the experience feeling like I had learnt a lot, and made a new friend in the process!"
— Helena Appleton, Liverpool