2023 COURSE FULLY BOOKED
Our INTRODUCTION TO BEEKEEPING COURSE starts
14th MARCH 2023
For 2023 course information, schedule and available options, please see below.
To enquire about or book your place for our 2024 course, please contact our membership secretary at
membershipsecretary.SDBKA@gmail.com
The Southend & District Beekeepers, a Division of the Essex Beekeepers’ Association (EBKA) aims to provide training and support to our newer members and those interested in learning more of beekeeping. The first step takes the form of an initial training course which covers all the relevant and necessary subject matter to fully consider what the beekeeping demands are, in a classroom setting complemented by practical handling, if required. This allows those who wish to start their beekeeping journey, or those who have acquired bees in the late summer/autumn, to discuss their ideas and hopes with others at the same stage and with experienced practiced beekeepers in an environment which is non-judgmental. The course will cover equipment needed, skills required, basic understanding and knowledge of bee management, anatomy and life cycle of the honey bee plus the time and costs involved in keeping your own bees.
Please see the available course options below and the 2023 course schedule at the bottom of the page.
There are many books currently available on the market. Below are some of which we would recommend as an addition to your Honey Bee library.
- ‘Bees at the Bottom of the Garden’ by Alan Campion
- ‘Haynes – The Bee Manual’ by C & A Waring
- ‘Beginner’s Bee Book’ by Ted Hooper
- ‘A Guide to Bees & Honey’ by Ted Hooper
- ‘The BBKA Guide to Beekeeping’ by Ivor Davis & Roger Cullum-Kenyon
Important: Even the basic beekeeping equipment can be expensive. We recommend not buying any equipment until you’ve completed the course and had the chance to discuss options with local experienced beekeepers (although we realise some people do get hives as presents or obtain equipment ad-hoc). Please do NOT buy in bees from elsewhere in the UK or, more importantly, from abroad, as this can spread the risk of disease. Local bee stocks are more suited to their local environment
Please Contact Us to register your interest for 2023 (spaces are limited). We can email an application form to anyone interested. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis and subject to a cleared payment.
Once the course has been completed you may still require some mentoring or coaching throughout the season.
New for 2023, we are pleased to offer a ‘Theory only’ course as well as our Full course, which includes training at the hive.
Please see below available course options below for 2023 and read the guidance notes following Option 2. Thank you.
SDBKA Course Schedule 2023
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SOUTHEND BEEKEEPERS: COURSE OPTION 1
INTRODUCTION TO BEEKEEPING THEORY COURSE 2023
Starting Tuesday 14th March, 7-9.30pm
at Rayleigh Methodist Church, 78 Eastwood Road, Rayleigh SS6 7JP
Theory course cost is £75.00 per person
(This includes the annual EBKA & SDBKA Associate subscription of £10.00)
Our theory course is a great introduction to the honey bee and beekeeping practices. It is aimed at both potential beekeepers and newer beekeepers. It consists of 6 Theory sessions.
The course also includes the following:
- Course handouts/follow up emails
- Associate Membership of Southend & District Beekeepers (SDBKA) until 31st December 2023
- Full access to all Southend Beekeepers 2023 monthly meetings, with presentations from invited speakers. Plus the opportunity to chat with beekeepers, old and new, in a social setting.
- Associate Membership of the Essex Beekeepers’ Association (EBKA) until 31st December 2023
- Full access to all 2023 monthly meetings of the 9 divisions of the Essex Beekeepers Association (EBKA)
- EBKA & SDBKA digital newsletters and access to members’ area on the websites.
- Full access to SDBKA lending Library
- Dedicated WhatsApp group, which offers help with difficulties & practical problems.
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SOUTHEND BEEKEEPERS: COURSE OPTION 2
INTRODUCTION TO BEEKEEPING FULL COURSE 2023
including PRACTICAL SESSIONS ‘AT THE HIVE’
Starting Tuesday 14th March, 7-9.30pm
at Rayleigh Methodist Church, 78 Eastwood Road, Rayleigh SS6 7JP
Full course cost is £145.00 per person
(This includes the annual BBKA/EBKA/SDBKA subscription of £36.50)
Our course is a great introduction to beekeeping, designed to provide each student with the basic skills and knowledge needed to start practical beekeeping in 2023.
The course is limited to 20 places and consists of 6 Theory sessions plus 4 practical sessions, all led by experienced beekeepers. The practical sessions are weather dependent and dates and locations can only be advised nearer the time, hence some degree of flexibility on the part of students will be required.
Cost includes the following:
- Course handouts/ follow up email
- British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) Registered Membership* until 31st December 2023
- British Beekeepers Association 3rd Party Public Liability Insurance to cover standard beekeeping practices. For more information see https://www.bbka.org.uk/insurance
- British Beekeepers Association full colour monthly magazine BBKA News (paper copy)
- BDI (Bee Diseases Insurance) for up to 3 hives.
- Full Essex Beekeepers’Association & Southend Beekeepers membership until 31st December 2023
- Full access to all SDBKA 2023 monthly meetings, with presentations from invited speakers. Plus the opportunity to chat with beekeepers, old and new, in a social setting.
- Full access to all 2023 monthly meetings of the 9 divisions of the Essex Beekeepers’Association
- EBKA & SDBKA digital newsletters and access to the members’ area on the websites.
- Full access to SDBKA lending Library
- Advice and support via a dedicated WhatsApp group
- Free sign-up to National Bee Unit/Beebase
- Practical tuition and discussion time at the hive.
- Loan of bee jacket/suit and equipment during practical sessions, if required.
*A discount of £15.00 could be available for a 2nd person (BBKA Partner member) wishing to join the full course. This person must share the same address as the BBKA Registered member and will not receive the BBKA magazine.
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Please contact membershipsecretary.sdbka@gmail.com to register your interest and/or sign up for either course.
NOTES FOR YOUR GUIDANCE
Our non-accredited courses are based on the British Beekeepers Association recommended studies at Beginner and Improver level.
Please read the schedule for 2023 to ensure you are available for our Tuesday evening sessions (7pm to 9.30pm)
All Theory classes are to be held on TUESDAY evenings at Rayleigh Methodist Church, 78 Eastwood Road, Rayleigh, SS6 7JP
2023 Scheduled theory dates : 14th March ; 21st March; 18th April; 2nd May; 9th May; 16th May
We hold one course per year and we regret these dates cannot be changed.
Places on the Full course are limited and we cannot guarantee a place should you wish to upgrade after booking our Theory only sessions.
Practical sessions are weather dependent and held during the day, at times, dates and locations to be advised nearer the time, hence some degree of flexibility on the part of the students is required. We can provide a bee jacket/suit for these sessions, if required, and any equipment you may need but you MUST have your own marigold gloves and (wellington) boots.
As all our trainers are beekeepers and fellow SDBKA members who offer their services on a voluntary basis, there is an assumption that for the duration of the course, and particularly the practical sessions, a would-be beginner will endeavour to make themselves available for dates and times arranged and ad-hock alternatives as necessary.
It should be understood that beekeeping is more than just an irregular pastime or hobby. You will be dealing with livestock and it requires a level of commitment which, for some, may be something of a sacrifice.
In the first instance, please contact our Membership Secretary and, if possible, attend any pre-course meetings. A link will be provided for you to watch our pre-course video where some of the further commitments, should you wish to take up the craft, will be explained.
On behalf of
Southend Beekeepers (SDBKA)
A division of the Essex Beekeepers’Association (EBKA)
Registered Charity Number 1031419
Southend Beekeepers 