It’s a very good idea to join an association before you get started with your own hives. You will get good advice and some practical experience in addition to picking up tips from more experienced beekeepers.

The best time to start beekeeping is in the period April to June, when bees are actively building their colonies. If you start with a nucleus of bees then, they will have enough time to build new comb and stock it sufficiently with stores for the following winter.

We meet weekly from April to September at our association apiary near Circencester and if you would like to come along  please get in contact. We also hold regular indoor meetings from September to March which prospective new members are welcome to attend. 

What training is needed?

Although there are thousands of beekeeping books and online videos available to help you learn the art of beekeeping we strongly advise you to take a course.  This will ensure you learn one set of information that works well together rather than being confused by the often contradictory opinions of beekeepers you'll find elsewhere.

This is an overview of the Beginners Training the the Club offers 

TasterDay

A chance to get close up and see for yourself what it’s like to handle bees. This is a great opportunity to see if beekeeping is for you.

Beginners Course

This is a program of 6 classroom lectures and  2 practical sessions to help new beekeepers start learn the basics 

HOT Bees

This is a practical program to help the student prepare for the BBKA Basic Assessment