The course starts on Tuesday 11th March 2026 at The Good Shepherd Church Hall, Mytholmroyd, HX7 5EA.
There are 7 weekly classroom sessions 19.30-21.30 as well as a practical apiary visit in May when you will get to examine bees in hives.
There will also be a joint meeting with other members of the Association in April.
In the early autumn we run a session about preparing your bees for winter.
Each attendee will be offered a mentor who will be available for advice during your first season and who will be happy to provide supervised practical sessions. Mentors will be able to provide advice on choice of apiary sites and purchase of bees.
The course will cover –
The importance of bees and beekeeping
Beekeeping equipment and personal clothing
Sourcing bees, siting hives, handling bees, bee stings & safety
Bee anatomy & communication
The colony, the three castes & nest
Types of beehives and their components
Apiary hygiene & record keeping
The annual cycle of a colony
The Queen, swarming and swarm prevention and control
Pollination, nectar & honey
Local forage crops
Products of the hive
An introduction to bee diseases
Recommended reading
You will need to supplement the course material with your own reading and you might consider buying one of the following – all available on the internet and from Mytholmroyd based Northern Bee Books. Sample copies will be available at the first session.
A Guide to Beekeeping, Davis and Cullum
The Haynes Bee Manual, Waring
Notes for New Beekeepers, Cadmore
The National Bee Unit also publish advice on their website on starting beekeeping
https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/resources-for-beekeepers/beekeeping-basics/advice-for-beekeepers#
The cost of the course is £160. Included is membership of Halifax Beekeepers Association through to October 2026 and Bee Disease Insurance for 3 hives. Once you have signed up you are welcome to attend our regular meetings, even before the course starts, and get to meet other members.
The number of places is limited to 15 which will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
If you would like to book a place please contact our Treasurer, Rowena Bairstow rowenabairstow@gmail.com
If you have any questions, or queries, please feel free to email, or give me a ring on 07749 756976
I look forward to seeing you in March.
Best Wishes
Roger Pool
Chair
Halifax Beekeepers’ Association
rogerwpool@btinternet.com