• History of the honey bee and beekeeping. Their evolution from earliest times to present day. Solitary bees and social bees.
  
• Description of the honey bee colony and nest. A guided tour of their home and the residents.
  
• Description of the honey bee individual. Their anatomy and life cycle.
  
• Behaviour of the honey bee individual. The division and organisation of labour.
  
• Behaviour of the honey bee colony. Its natural annual cycle. Colony reproduction.
  
• Start beekeeping. Choice of bee hives and equipment and what you need.
  
• Inspecting the colony. Opening hives, handling bees and assessing health.
  
• Swarming. Recognition and management. Queen rearing and replacement.
  
• Disease and disorder. Pests and predators. Their recognition and treatment.
  
• Honey and hive products. Harvesting and processing any surplus from the hive.
  
• The years work. Putting into practice everything learned.
  

You should also get some practical experience of handling bees.

BEEKEEPING EXPERIENCE DAYS
INTRODUCTION TO BEEKEEPING - THE PRACTICAL

Whether you are on holiday in Cornwall, looking for an original gift or practical beekeeping experience.

These are practical, hands on days out working with me and the bees.
Discover the complex world of the bee hive close up as colonies are inpected in a variety of bee hives.
This can be the perfect introduction to beekeeping, aquainting you with the equipment and the bees, you may even see the queen (bee).
It can also be a chance to further your beekeeping education with plenty of time for questions and to pick the brains of a professional beekeeper and bee breeder.
It can simply be a unique day out in the beautiful natural surroundings of wild Cornwall, the day is tailored to suit you.
You will not learn everything you need to know to keep your own bees on just one day so this is the perfect addition to the online beekeeping theory course.

I can send you a Gift Certificate if this is a gift for somebody else, just let me know.

Available during the active beekeeping season from May - August weather permitting, 10.00 am - 3.00 pm with an hour's break for lunch (but it's all flexible).

When you have paid or receive a Gift Certificate, keep an eye on the weather forecast. When there is a confident forecast of good weather for at least a few days (at least 17C, calm and dry) just 'phone and arrange a day out at mutual convenience, there are no set dates for the event.

Full beekeeper's protective clothing, bee suits and gloves are provided but you'll need to bring or wear wellies. You will also need to bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink. Be prepared to rough it a little as my bees are out in the Cornish bush.

This makes a unique gift for anyone interested in bees and the natural world.