Dorset beekeepers are beginning to prepare for the new beekeeping season as the weather starts to improve. Join them on an experience day and discover the buzz.

by Robbie Baird, North Dorset Beekeepers Association.

The North Dorset Beekeepers Association (NDBKA) is a charity that has education at the heart of its objectives. A big milestone in the calendar is the Beginner’s Beekeeping Course. This year, the Introduction Day is April 1, and we expect around 25 people of all ages and backgrounds to embark on a new journey as they learn the craft of beekeeping and some of the science associated with the hobby.

By August, our new beekeepers will have learned enough about beekeeping to be able to look after their own bee colonies, and to take the basic assessment exam that’s organised by the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA).
And now there’s a new way to dip into the world of bees and beekeeping. This summer, we’ll be running some Beekeeping Experience Days. To take part, you’ll only need a few hours, during which we’ll give you a gentle introduction to the honey bee, get you into a beekeeping suit and take you down to the association’s beehives. We’ll open a hive and you’ll have a chance to see the bees at work. There’ll be plenty of time to answer your questions and you’ll even leave with a souvenir jar of our local honey! They’re planned for June 11 and 25, as well as July 9 and 23. You can book online at https://buytickets.at/northdorsetbka.
And, of course, that’s just the beginning! In North Dorset, there’s a whole range of programmes and lectures to build on your knowledge from the Beginner’s Course. This year, we’re running a revision course for those who will be taking their Basic Beekeeping Exam and a Queen Rearing course later in the summer.

We are fortunate to have three Master Beekeepers in our association and they are always happy for everyone to tap into their massive knowledge and experience.
The world of the honey bee is infinitely fascinating and your local beekeeping club or association is the best way to start exploring. Those who keep bees without learning how to do it properly can cause disease and hardship. Good beekeepers are those who have been trained, and learning at “beekeeping school” can be fun too!

To learn more about beekeeping and the North Dorset Beekeepers Association, look for NDBKA on Facebook or visit www.northdorsetbeekeepers.org.uk.