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Please note that most of the beekeeping resources pages have moved to the DBKA website
click here to read more

 

Teignbridge Scouts HQ

Our Beekeeping theory classes and other winter lectures take place at the Teignbridge District Scout Headquarters in Wolborough Street, Newton Abbot (unless otherwise directed).

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Education

We consider it of paramount importance that beekeepers have the correct knowledge and experience to look after their bees properly. There are important things to understand about how bees live and what we can do to ensure they are healthy and productive.

Many of our members continue their education in beekeeping past the Basic Course, finding that it opens many other avenues of interest and study.

Basic Beekeeping Course 2009/10
(Please note - this course is now fully booked)

Beginners' Class Handouts:

pdf Your first season of beekeeping
pdf Session 1, test 1 - What is a bee?
pdf Session 1, test 2 - The colony

pdf Session 2, test 1 - Basic tools
pdf Session 2, test 2 - The hive
pdf Session 2 - Hive parts, personal notes
pdf Session 2 - The 'J' tool

pdf Session 3, Hives
pdf Session 3, Mating Nucs
pdf Session 3, Apiaries

pdf Session 4, Swarms & swarm control part 1
pdf Session 4, Swarms & swarm control part 2
    Link to Swarm Control Plan

pdf Session 5, Winter care of bees
pdf Session 5, Syrup
pdf Session 5, test - Winter care

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pdf Session 6, Adult bee diseases
pdf Session 6, Brood diseases

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pdf Session 8, test - Bee behaviour
pdf Session 8, Beekeeping Calendar

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pdf Session 9, test - Legs and Pollen
pdf Session 9, test - Swarm control

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The Clay Lane apiary is open to all members on Saturday from 2.00pm during the summer. This is particularly useful to those who have just attended the beginners' course. During the autumn and winter months we have a program of lectures and discussions about beekeeping.

Further Learning

Beginners are prepared for the Basic Assessment, (download syllabus from BBKA) which they are encouraged to take in their second year of beekeeping. Please read the series of 3 articles which appeared in the BBKA News about taking the Basic Assessment:

Taking the Basic Assessment - part 1
Taking the Basic Assessment - part 2
Taking the Basic Assessment - part 3

Those beekeepers who are interested in further study are guided in their preparations for the various British BKA Examination Board modules ranging from management, biology, behaviour, diseases, breeding to anatomy, history and microscopy.
See the BBKA website for full details
See BBKA assessments page

 

Basic Beekeeping Course Programme

Download the current Basic Beekeeping Course programme

 

Recommended reading:

Guide to Bees and Honey by Ted Hooper

Guide to Bees & Honey
by Ted Hooper
Publisher: Northern Bee Books (2008)
ISBN-10: 1904846246

Teach Yourself Beekeeping by Adrian and Claire Waring

Teach Yourself Beekeeping
by Adrian and Claire Waring
Publisher: Teach Yourself (2006)
ISBN-10: 0340925639

Practical Beekeeping by clive de Bruyn

Practical Beekeeping
by Clive de Bruyn
Publisher: The Crowood Press Ltd (1997)
ISBN-10: 1861260490

 
             
 
© Newton Abbot Branch of the Devon Beekeepers Association 2010 - Registered Charity Number 270675

 

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