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apiculture  n. beekeeping

apiarist n. one who keeps bees

apiary n.  a place where bees are kept

© Okehampton Branch of the Devon Beekeepers Association 2022 - Registered Charity 270675

Okehampton Beekeepers normally run a Beekeeping Training Course at the start of each year. The course comprises 8 evening sessions. These are held at Whiddon Down Village Hall, from 7 pm to 9 pm on alternate Wednesday evenings from January through to end April/early May. Session Dates for our 2024 course are as follows: Jan 17, Jan 31, Feb 14, Feb 28, Mar 13, Mar 27, Apr 10, Apr 24.

If you require more information about our 2024 Basic Beekeeping Course, email our Education Officer, Ruth Stainer-Smith at shackletonhouse@gmail.com .

The Basic course will follow the syllabus required for the BBKA Basic Assessment. Candidates may wish to take this BBKA Basic Beekeeping exam following course completion (but this is not mandatory). NOTE that you also need to have kept bees for a year before taking the Basic Assessment Exam. Okehampton Branch will reimburse the Basic Exam fee (currently £25) for those branch members taking the course who subsequently take and successfully pass the exam.

Our Basic Beekeeping Course additionally includes a number of follow-up practical sessions,  in May and June, giving the opportunity to handle and inspect colonies of bees, putting into practice knowledge learnt during the course.

 

Current (2020)

BASIC Beekeeping Certificate Syllabus

Need Help Getting Started?

Okehampton Beekeepers offer to help new branch members by appointing them a Mentor if they wish. The mentor will assist with handling bees during the first year. Sometimes just having someone to talk through doubts about what needs to be done is enough to give the confidence required.

Need Help but Not a New Member?

Maybe you need help with a manipulation that you are unsure about or want to try a different way. Being unsure about what to do is not unique to new members; there's always something new to learn.

To request help and find out more about what we can offer contact Branch Chair, Sue Baxter or Branch Secretary, Will Pyne (see the Contacts page).

Have you previously attended a Basic Beekeeping course? Have you kept bees for at least twelve months?

Then why not put yourself forward for assessment for the BBKA Basic Certificate. The practical assessment is a one-to-one session that takes place during the summer. Our Basic Course Trainers will be happy to arrange a refresher tuition session prior to the exam date. Pass or fail, you will receive valuable feedback on your basic bee-handling skills.

An application form to apply to take the Basic Assessment may be obtained by emailing the DBKA Examinations Secretary at:-

exams.dbka@gmail.com

Basic Assessment Training Course