Begin your beekeeping journey with training

How do I become a beekeeper?

Keeping bees healthy and productive requires knowledge and skill. Our Association runs Theory and Practical beekeeping courses for beginners, and both courses must be completed for the Association to register you as a fully trained beginner. It’s important you complete this basic level of training before getting bees. This not only safeguards the welfare of the bees, but is key to helping you learn the basics of the craft.

The theory course should be completed first, then the practical. Typically, theory courses take place in the autumn/winter months, when the bees are tucked up for winter, and practicals are run during the spring/summer months, when the bees are active.

When courses are oversubscribed we operate a wait list. If you have been offered a place, please pay the course fee within 7 days of receipt of the confirmation email to secure your place, otherwise it will be offered to someone else.

Finally, you will need to become a member of the Association to do the courses, so once your Theory course place has been confirmed, please make sure you apply for membership at the same time as paying your course fee.

Taster Day

New for 2023

We’re looking to host a taster day to help you understand whether beekeeping is for you.

The session will cover both theory and practical elements of beekeeping.

Dates are yet to be set for this but do complete the form at the bottom of this page to register your interest.

2023 / 2024 Beginner Courses

Now taking applications for 2023/2024 season.

*****

Now taking applications for 2023/2024 season. *****

Theory

This is a six-week course for beginners that covers bee biology and behaviour, bee husbandry, pests and diseases, swarming, hive types, the beekeeping season and beekeeping equipment and where to buy it.

Dates: Begins Wednesday, 28th February, from 7.30-9.30pm

Venue: Beedon Village Hall, Chieveley, Newbury, RG20 8SH. Refreshments included.

The theory course also includes an additional hive-building day in the spring to show you how to assemble hives and hive parts. Details will be confirmed following acceptance on the Theory course.

To reserve a place on a course, please complete the booking request form and our training manager will get in touch with you.

Cost: £135

Register your interest in the Theory & Practical courses

Courses usually fill up quickly so if you would like to reserve a place on a course, please complete the booking request form and our training manager will get in touch with you.

Practical

Please note: you need to have completed the Theory Course before taking the Practical.

This is a six-week practical course covering all the basics of bee husbandry. At the end of the course, you should be able to inspect a hive, handle the bees and carry out basic procedures - all the skills you will need to competently handle your own bees.

The course will cover inspecting hives, spotting and marking the queen, identifying eggs, larvae, sealed brood, brood patterns, wax issues, hive management, swarm control, splitting and uniting colonies, hive tool and frame handling, disease identification and management, removing honey, hive feeding, good beekeeping practices, apiary hygiene and discussing the bee season in general.

The course will start in late May/early June 2024. Attendees will be split into two teaching groups: one on Wednesday evenings, and the other on Saturday afternoons.

Dates and times will be confirmed in early 2024.

Venue: The Association’s teaching apiary in north Newbury. Address and directions will be provided nearer the time.

Cost: £135

Note: When registering your interest, please state your preference for either Wednesdays or Saturdays. We will do our best to accommodate your first choice but this may not always be possible. Places are allocated on a first-come first served basis.

Learn more

If you’re interested to learn more about what to expect on the practical course, kit required, what happens after the course finishes and advice on further training, please download this useful guide to the practical >

Intermediate Course

For this intermediate-level training, you should have your basic certificate or have been beekeeping for a few seasons. This course is based over three sessions and will help beekeepers refine and further their colony management and husbandry skills including:

Advanced swarm control using various methods and including Demaree, vertical splits and nuc making

Honeybee health, effective comb management, working with large colonies, effective supering, moving bees
Queen management and introduction, colony behaviours
Q & A’s and integrate accordingly, where possible.

Places will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis and dates will be by mutual agreement.