Beekeeping for Beginners Course 2025
East Devon Branch of Devon Beekeepers’ Association
Full tuition, practical experience and mentor support to help you get started.
Participants will be taken through the beekeeping fundamentals at our ‘Bee Shed’ at Hunthay near Axminster prior to the active season, which begins in April. Practical tuition under expert guidance will follow, allowing you to apply the theory to live bees.
Local mentors and instruction in our club apiary will put you in the best position to develop your skills and knowledge.
The cost of the course for 2025 will be £100 per person with a reduction for partners of £50.
Course limited to 30 participants.
Course dates:
| Activity | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 – Start theory | Sat 8th February | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Week 2 | Sat 15th February | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Week 3 | Sat 22nd February | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Week 4 | Sat 1st March | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Week 5 | Sat 8th March | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Week 6 – End theory | Sat 15th March | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Practical. 1st Group, or, | Sat 22nd March | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Practical. 2nd Group | Sat 29th March | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Swarm prevention/control demo | Sat 5th April | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Regular apiary sessions | Sat 26th April and continuing | 2.30pm – 4.30pm |
Theory and practical sessions take place at ‘The Bee Shed’, Hunthay apiary, EX13 5RJ
Included in the fee are:
- Your subscription to Devon Beekeepers’ Association,
- Your subscription to the national organisation, British Beekeepers’ Association,
both of which produce regular colour magazines.
Further benefits include:
- insurance,
- use of club equipment and facilities,
- attendance at events, talks and advice sessions,
- access to equipment sales when available,
- the club library,
- local newsletters AND
- a copy of Haynes Beekeeping Manual for you to keep and refer to in the years to come.
If you would like to be emailed the syllabus (when available), plus a subscription form, please send your details to education@edbk.co.uk. Places are limited and will be reserved in order of date of application. Your place will then be confirmed upon receipt of your subscription.
Please note: When it comes to the theory part of our Beginners course held in the classroom, we ask that Junior members need to be a minimum of secondary school age in order to assimilate and understand the material presented.