“Hot off the Press”. We are delighted to announce that Ian Molyneux will be running a Queen Rearing Course over the weekend of 7th & 8th of May 2022 at the Dower House. The cost per person will be £50 and the course will be limited to 25 people.

BOOKINGS CAN NOW BE MADE – please see the training section of the website – First come, First served.

Please note that you will need to have kept bees for 3 years to be able to enrol for this.

This is open to all beekeepers who are members of MDBKA and have kept their own bees for 2 full seasons.

The start date will be Monday 18^th April 2022 at 6pm and the course will run for 6 weeks.

Numbers will be restricted to a maximum of 30 A charge of £25 per person will be made – primarily to cover the costs of additional equipment etc.

The aim is to develop a deeper beekeeping knowledge designed as a follow-up to our beginners’ course, helping existing beekeepers to improve their skills. You will be encouraged to work independently carrying out the different procedures and manipulations and sharing thoughts/ideas.

We hope to cover a number of key issues:-

• To identify and examine the management requirements of a full-sized honey bee colony
• Shook Swarms
• Bailey Comb Changes
• Spring Clean
• To look at the importance of Spring inspections to gauge the health and needs of the expanding colony
• The impact of disease on the hive
• The importance of monitoring disease
• Consideration of the ‘stress’ issue and its impact on disease and hive health
• Swarm Control – pre-emptive and reactive

BOOKINGS can be made through the website in the usual way with payment being taken via PayPal.

Any queries? Contact our Training Officer Peter McEvitt – peter.mcevitt@mdbka.com