For more information about Southend & District Beekeepers and to enquire about our Introduction to Beekeeping Course please contact Enquiry.SDBKA@gmail.com
Are you interested in keeping bees?
Please take a minute to read this first
Before getting started, we strongly recommend taking a course so you have a clear understanding of what beekeeping involves. It may look straightforward, but there is a great deal to consider. If you have not already done so, purchasing a good beekeeping book is also a helpful way to become familiar with the terminology and practicalities. You can find further information on our Courses page.
Your first opportunity to look inside an open hive and meet the bees up close will help you decide whether beekeeping is for you.
Once you begin, you may well find that beekeeping becomes a thoroughly absorbing hobby.
We recommend waiting until you have attended a course and discussed the options with experienced beekeepers before buying any equipment. Hives come in different sizes and styles, and their components are not always interchangeable. Taking advice first can help you avoid spending money on equipment you may not need or use.
Most importantly, please do not buy or bring in bees from another area, particularly from abroad, as this could introduce parasites and diseases to the area.
Locally sourced bees are better adapted to local conditions and we often have healthy local colonies available for sale, often at a considerably lower cost than commercially supplied bees.
We support new beekeepers as they get started and you will have opportunities to meet fellow beekeepers, exchange ideas and ask questions. Why not register your interest in one of our beginners’ courses?
It is also worth considering the cost of taking up beekeeping – your first jar of honey is sometimes said to cost £1,000!
Think carefully about where you will keep your hive or hives, allowing enough space for them, room to work safely around them and storage for the equipment you will acquire. Your bees will also need regular inspections for signs of swarming and disease, so be sure to consider the time commitment involved.
Taster Sessions
Are you thinking of doing our course but not sure how you will react to 30,000 live bees in front of you?
We can offer a taster session before you book.
However, as our classes usually start in March or April you will need to contact us by July of the preceding year to arrange and book a session with one of our experienced beekeepers. Please note that there will a charge for this.
In the first instance please contact us via the Contact Us link.
