Interested in the craft of beekeeping or just wondering what is involved before taking the plunge? This introductory day is for you! It starts with a workshop and presentation covering the Honey Bee life cycle, what Beekeepers can do to help keep healthy bees and the harvesting of honey and wax. After lunch we move to the Apiary located next to the Beeche Centre where participants will be guided by experienced local beekeepers to examine the hives and do the seasonal beekeeping tasks required.

Participants will be provided with a protective jacket and gloves and shown how to light and use a smoker, how to handle frames of bees and to identify the different bees in the hive, the brood stages and pollen and honey stores. All participants will have the opportunity to handle frames of bees.

Date: Saturday 11th May 2019

Time: 10:00 – 15:30

Cost: £30.00 (including lunch & teas and coffee)

Venue: The Beeche Centre, High Elms Country Park, Downe, BR6 7JH

To reserve a place please send your: name & address, email address, phone number and a cheque for £30.00 (payable to: Orpington Apiary Club) to:

Mr Jim Grierson Treasurer, Orpington Apiary Club 118 Cudham Lane North Cudham, Sevenoaks TN14 7QS.

For any queries on the course please email Richard Brook: purekenthoney [at] gmail [dot] com

NB: If the weather on the 11th May is too wet to allow us to open hives we will offer following Saturday afternoons to participants for the practical beekeeping experience.

A full refund by cheque will be made if there are insufficient bookings to make the course viable. Minimum number is 6 (maximum 12)