Beginners Course

Beginners Course 2021

Are you interested in bees? Do you ever wonder how bees collect nectar and pollen and turn them into honey? How do they know what flowers and plants to go to and where they are? If you would like to become a beekeeper and find the answers to these questions and many more join the introductory lecture from the Louth Beekeepers Beginners Course. This first lecture will be an introduction, and the course proper starts the following week. We will be holding these lectures online, so there is a limit of 100. Classes for 2021 will take place every Tuesday from 7:30pm to 9:00pm, 9 classes in total.

We are considering how we can hold an extra class, probably on a Saturday, where you'll learn hands-on how to assemble frames and boxes. After the classes, you will hopefully have plenty of opportunities to gain hands-on experience with the bees in our apiary. Of course, these practical classes all depend on the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The entire course culminates in a straightforward exam in May, with a written part (although this time round it'll be online) and a practical part, for which you will be awarded the FIBKA Preliminary Certificate of Proficiency in Beekeeping. The course will be delivered by a team of experienced beekeepers. If you are interested please email the secretary. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

The details of what will be covered are below

Date	Topic
26^th Jan	Introduction
2^nd Feb	Basic Beekeeping Equipment Hive types, frames, foundation, smoker, hive tool, etc.
9^th Feb	Natural History of the Honey Bee (1) Life cycles of queen, workers and drones, characteristics and functions of 3 castes, the production and use of beeswax in the hive.
16^th Feb	Natural History of the Honey Bee (2) Collection and use of nectar, pollen, water and propolis in the hive, pollination, sources of nectar and pollen, communication by foragers.
23^rd Feb	Swarming The swarming process, swarm prevention and control, hiving a swarm.
2^nd Mar	The Beekeeping Year Apiary hygiene, spring management, summer management, Hooper's questions, uniting colonies, robbing.
9^th Mar	The Honey Harvest Clearing bees, uncapping, extracting, straining, settling and bottling, crystallisation, fermentation.
16^th Mar	Prevention and Control of Disease Causes, symptoms, detection, prevention and treatment of main adult and brood diseases, laying workers, drone-laying queen.
23^rd Mar	Preparing for Winter Winter behaviour of colonies, preparing colonies for winter, feeding bees.
TBD	Frame and Hive Assembly A practical, hands-on session for those who would like to learn to assemble their own hive parts. (Normally held on a Saturday morning).
TBD (a date to be decided by FIBKA)	FIBKA Preliminary Exam 30 minute online exam followed by apiary practical examination

The fee is €140 which includes:

Classes and material
A copy of the Haynes Bee Manual
One year's membership of Louth Beekeepers' Association
One year's membership of FIBKA, the national beekeeping body
Annual subscription to FIBKA's An Beachaire magazine delivered by mail
Participation in the FIBKA insurance scheme
FIBKA fees for the exam leading to the Preliminary Certificate of Proficiency in Beekeeping

The fee is waived for persons under 18 years old, but they must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

How to sign up

The easiest way to sign up is to purchase the course in our online store - note that there is a €5 surcharge to cover providers' fees online.
You can pay by direct debit to our bank account (BIC: AIBKIE2D and IBAN: IE47 AIBK 9324 5028 6971 39) but make sure you provide your name since otherwise we cannot know who has paid.
Alternatively, please email the secretary.

Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.