Beekeeping for Beginners (Basic Certificate)

 This course is for those who want to start keeping bees, or are already a beekeeper and would like to work towards gaining the BBKA (British Beekeepers Association) Basic Beekeeping Certificate.  Please note that this course does not include an assessment; to gain the BBKA certificate, you will need to arrange this with the local beekeeping association on completion of the course. The course covers a variety of topics which include how to get started, equipment needed to keep bees, colony management, apiary requirements, swarm control, pests, diseases and control, honey production, and the beekeeping year.

Practical experience will be gained in the College apiary (weather dependant). 

The course will cover the following:

• General introduction to the honeybee, equipment and local and national support available
• The colony - the queen, workers and drones, the division of labour within the hive and individual lifecycles
• The hive
• History - the origins of bees and different species.
• The beekeeping year - Managing spring and carrying out inspections, the build up to summer and harvesting, and preparation for the winter.
• Swarms - the reasons for swarms, and how to control a swarm.
• Queen bees - rearing, mating, marking and clipping
• Pests and diseases
• Bees, plants and hive products - nectar and honey, local forage crops, wax, propolis, pollen, and selling honey.
• Getting started - local association and BBKA membership, sources of equipment and specialist clothing, setting up an apiary, and getting your bees.

 Those who complete the course and wish to take their examination will need to contact their local beekeeping association's examination secretary.

We have some protective equipment which can be borrowed for the apiary visit, but it would be beneficial if you were to supply your own veil and gloves. Rubber gloves can be used if you do not want to purchase specialist gloves just yet.  Veils can be purchased from Thornes (Beehives) Ltd in Wragby.

You will need to complete a medical form before attending the course, so that our instructors can identify anyone who may be anaphylactic. It will be the instructor's decision whether anyone with anaphylaxis visits the hives.

The instructor cannot provide a guarantee that you will not be stung.  Being stung is part of being a beekeeper, and you should be aware of this.  The British Beekeepers Association produce a range of advisory leaflets, including one on bee stings.

The BBKA Basic Certificate in Beekeeping is a pre-requisite for the BBKA Intermediate Certificate in Beekeeping, and the BBKA Standard Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry.

Accommodation is not available on campus but a list of hotels can be provided on request.

Please note that we reserve the right to charge full fees if you cancel your place on a course within two weeks prior to the course start date.

01522 895390
shortcourses@lincoln.ac.uk

Riseholme College Enquiries and information:

shortcourses@lincoln.ac.uk

01522 895390

Riseholme College website