If you are new to beekeeping and think you might like to keep bees we suggest you do one or more of the following rather than leaping in at the deep end. If you are more interested in making products from the honey, beeswax and other products from the hive then make contact. Members will be pleased to supply you with the raw materials and advice you need.
· Read books, there are many available, so try to see them in a library first – either
Ted Hooper - Guide to bees and honey - Pbk ISBN 1-899296-04-2 New ed. due shortly £12.99
Clive De Bruyn - Practical Beekeeping - Hdk ISBN 1861260490 £24.95 Amazon
Alan Campion - Bees at the bottom of the Garden - Pbk £12.99 Northern Bee Books
Teach Yourself Beekeeping - Pbk £9.99 Amazon
and if you like an illustrative approach
Jeremy Evans - The Complete Guide to Beekeeping - Hdk £17.98 Amazon
· Attend winter meetings and learn about bees and beekeeping.
· Attend an introductory bee course – the next one starts in Feb 2008 at Barham village hall off the A2 but is now full, however there may well be another one run later in the year. Request information for the next course giving your name and address
· In the summer attend apiary meetings – time is given to assist new beekeepers & spare hats and veils are available..
· Work with an experienced beekeeper to gain skills.
Clothing you need
In order to handle bees with confidence, sound protective garments are essential. A zip-fronted boiler suit will do, preferably white, or at least a light colour (because bees don't like dark colours). To protect the head and face, a hat and veil is required. There are several designs and prices available, again seek advice on which is best for you. Do not wear jersey materials particularly the trouser sort often worn by ladies, bees get caught in them. Thirdly a pair of gloves. Beekeeping gloves are often made from soft leather but most beekeepers use semi disposable plastic gloves such as washing up gloves. Footwear is usually a pair of wellies.
When you are ready you can buy or make a hive. You will have had advice about which hive type to use and have seen and handled different types. If you wish we will supply you with a nucleus (a small bee colony) to get you started. Most people start with one hive in the first year and then add a second in the following year. This is normally the minimum to ensure that you can keep a live colony if one should die out during the winter or you should loose a queen.