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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 2024 - Registered Charity 270675

Okehampton Beekeepers run a Basic 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. The course also includes a summer apiary session with an experienced beekeeper. We follow the BBKA basic syllabus.

This course always has a lot of interest with many more requests than we have places. For this reason we have made a policy change to how we administer bookings for this course. For the winter 2026 course (and onwards) you will need to book via Eventbrite (ie first come first served method). Please use the link below to view the course details and to purchase a place.

 For insurance purposes it is a requirement of the course that you purchase membership of Devon Beekeepers’ Association (DBKA Okehampton branch). The cost you see on Eventbrite includes registered membership cost. Your place on the course is confirmed once you have completed the DBKA Membership form.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY A PAID-UP MEMBER OF OKEHAMPTON BEEKEEPERS OR ARE A PARTNER OF AN EXISTING PAID-UP MEMBER PLEASE EMAIL RUTH WHO CAN ARRANGE A CORRESPONDING DISCOUNT ON YOUR TICKET PRICE. Any purchase relies on there still being ticket availability (ie we have not already sold out at the point of acting on your enquiry).

 EVENTBRITE LINK HERE

            

 If you would like to know more about the course please email Ruth our education officer

educationokebees@gmail.com

Ruth is very happy to speak with you to help you decide if this course is for you and to offer advice about Eventbrite booking (and about the DBKA Membership form you need to fill in).

 Learners may wish to sit the BBKA Basic Beekeeping Assessment following course completion (but this is not mandatory). NOTE that you need to have kept bees for a full year before taking the Basic Assessment therefore many learners sit the assessment a year or two after the course. On request Okehampton Branch will reimburse the Basic Assessment fee for registered branch members taking the course who subsequently take and successfully pass the exam. The assessment entry costs an additional £30 and is not included in your basic course price.

 

 

Current (2024)

BASIC Beekeeping Certificate Syllabus

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 bee handling skills.

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

exams.dbka@gmail.com

Basic Assessment Training Course

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, David Wolley or Branch Secretary, Will Pyne (see the Contacts page).

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.