By Meatloaf

Re: Beekeeping
07 May 2008 10:39

Replies

By Meatloaf

Re: Beekeeping
07 May 2008 10:39

I am retiring at the end of the year and after reading an article in a Sunday magazine I am considering keeping bees for a hobby. I will be doing a course early next year. Is there anyone out there who already keeps bees? If so, how easy/difficult is it? How much time is needed? Any other useful information would be more than welcome.

By Siobhan

Re: Beekeeping
07 May 2008 13:15

My OH is a beekeeper. I doesn't require a lot of work except at certain times of the year (mainly summer). He tries to go and have a peep at them every day during spring and summer. You really need a course to get started. Feel free to ask any question you might have! It's a great hobby!

By vivaciousviv

Re: Beekeeping
07 May 2008 14:42

Ooooh good for you Meatloaf and I hope I can ask you OH questions too Siobahn. My hive was fumigated and prepared a coule of weeks ago and my neighbour has been mentoring me and we hope to collect a swarm in the very near future. Read books and definitely go on a course if you can. No courses in this neck of the woods but fab neighbour who already keeps bees has been a great help. Let us know how you get on. Viv xx

By Meatloaf

Re: Beekeeping
07 May 2008 21:01

Cheers Siobhan I will ask you many questions I'm sure.

Viv you will be an old hand by the sound of it soon, I'll be asking you questions also....

Xx

By Biggles

Re: Beekeeping
09 May 2008 09:14

Hi Meatloaf, I have done a couple of courses at Assington Mill near Sudbury. www.assingtonmill.??? The bee man was superb, not a fantastic lecturer perhaps, but was really hands on and knowledgeable. I helped with the bees over 40 years ago at school and found the 1 day course really helpful. Hive hygene is important and my only real concern is in providing the correct amount of winter nourishment, when I get some hives going, that is :0) The other 'problem' is extracting the honey, I need somewhere to keep the equipment and we are still sorting ourselves out :o(
Wishing you a long and happy retirement. Biggs

By Meatloaf

Re: Beekeeping
09 May 2008 10:44

Biggs,

Thanks for that. The Mill is running a one day course on the 1st June. I have sent them an e-mail enquiring about possibly attending it. Good luck with your own plans....Cheers

Xx

By Biggles

Re: Beekeeping
09 May 2008 10:57

Hi Meatloaf, It's a lovely place, have you been before? Anne always provides a superb lunch and other refreshments. They were running 2 courses, the introduction and a real 'hands on' day with the bees and hives. I wasn't able to do the 2nd day as the numbers are restricted to a handful - don't want to upset the bees :0). Cheers. Biggs

By Meatloaf

Re: Beekeeping
09 May 2008 12:01

Biggs, I've never been before. They still run the 2 courses as you have said and alot of other courses that look very interesting. I will probably avail myself of one or two of the other ones when I have retired. I like the look of the ' Dowsing and archealogy' course especially.

Your'e a star, never would have found the place otherwise.

Xx