TRAINING COURSES
Our Introduction to Beekeeping course covers the basic theory and practical elements of beekeeping.
Our theory sessions for 2026 will be held at North and South Wheatley Village Hall, Sturton Rd, South Wheatley, Retford DN22 9DH over 4 Wednesday evenings 7-9pm
Our Practical session will be delivered over a designated half day at an association mentors apiary (as long as the weather and restrictions allow.) There will also be "hands on" learning opportunities at our summer apiary visits. Where possible a mentor will guide trainees over a year of beekeeping.
The course costs includes membership to Doncaster Beekeeping Association, Yorkshire BKA and British BKA. Junior rates apply to under 18 year olds. Adult fee £120 ( this includes membership to DBKA, YBKA and BBKA)
For further information or to book a place please contact:
trainingofficer@doncasterbka.org.uk
These exams and courses are for beekeepers who have been keeping bees for at least a year.
Further information can be found on the BBKA website. See links below.
BBKA Examinations and Assessments
https://www.bbka.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=ab918019-1bf6-4fdb-a7f9-ec2bc12f016a
ABRIDGED PROSPECTUS OF EXAMINATIONS
https://www.bbka.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=73389546-2553-43bc-bfdd-f7c983c2ed92
Exams & Assessment Dates & Fees
https://www.bbka.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=afe6acb3-2054-4fbb-8876-9dbbc62764f7
Reading Book List
https://www.bbka.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=bbad3d60-d1b2-41dc-beff-6bf6467ddaa1
Additional Support
https://www.bbka.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=c93fba52-a39a-4e9f-9c56-800ac93bd99c
Exam Techniques
https://www.bbka.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=6d077a82-1b8a-4797-8bf5-042965a7713f
BASIC HIVE SETUP
In the UK the most common type of hive used is the British Standard National Hive, or BSN for short. However, the hive most non-beekeepers will think of will be whats called a WBC, which is named after its inventor William Broughton Carr.
HOW IS A HIVE SET UP?
The adjacent image is a basic illustration of a BSN Hive.(Scroll over image for part names).
Most Hives constructed today will have a mesh floor which is used to help control Varroa, a parasitic mite that attacks and feeds on Honey Bees. Most floors will have an adjustable entrance.
On top of the floor will be a brood box, this box holds your frames and where the Queen lays her eggs. A Queen excluder is next which is used to stop the queen from laying eggs in the next box, the Honey Super.
WHAT IS A HONEY SUPER?
A Honey Super is where excess honey is stored by the bees. During a nectar flow several supers can be used to make sure the bees have enough room to store the honey. The bees store nectar for winter feed, any excess can be harvested by the beekeeper. On top of the supers goes a Crown board, this helps prevent the roof from being attached to the frames by the bees and so making it difficult to open the hive. When starting off a new colony no honey super is used as the hive has to build up its number of bees first in the brood chamber. Once the brood chamber is almost full, a super is added as an aid to prevent the bees from swarming.
Further Information on hive set up is covered on our beginner's course
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN HIVE TYPES?
Basically very little. The inner boxes are broadly similar to each other and operate in the same manner. The majority of UK bee-keepers will have British Standard National (BSN) hive so our example is based on this hive type. There are also Poly hives as well as those made from wood.
HIVE PARTS
Roof
Crown Board
Shallow Honey Super
Queen Excluder
Deep Brood Chamber
Floor
Hive Stand
Floor
WHAT TO DO IN THE APIARY THIS MONTH
These articles are just guidelines for what to do during a particular time of year.
A big factor in what and when to do things is of course the weather, so timings for each year can easily alter from those in the article. The articles are the views of a member and the methods used by them.
Please feel free to comment and contact us here with any suggestions or additions that you would like to see.