Local beekeeping associations in Hampshire such as those listed below offer courses to those who are interested in beekeeping.
Some offer a series of evening classes through winter, others a 2-day weekend in spring or early summer, or a single day ‘taster’.
Some now offer online courses with additional practical support. Most attendees will go on to keep bees but the courses can also be of interest to those who wish to learn more about honey bees.
Additional local information can be found by following the links on the associations’ websites; please click here for links to the associations.
For intermediate and advanced training offered by Hampshire associations, please CLICK HERE.
Andover and District Beekeepers Association Beginners’ Course
| Andover offers beginners courses in the winter and spring. Any potential members living close to Andover should get in touch with us at secretary@andoverbka.org.uk |
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Meon Valley Introduction to Beekeeping Course 2021
| Start and duration: | Starting Tuesday 16th February, running for 7 weeks from 7.30pm to 9.00pm |
| Venue: | Online |
| Cost: | £95, which covers books and training course notes |
| In Session 1 we will bring socially distanced groups to Warnham Village Hall to receive your training books and to meet the team and your fellow trainee beekeepers. After that the sessions will be online on Tuesday evenings with the opportunity for Q&A after each live presentation. We will then provide you with the presentation notes |
| Website and contact: | Please click here for more details or to register |
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Meon Valley Taster Day 2021
| Start and duration: | Sunday 13th June 2021 from 10:30 – 16:30 |
| Venue: | East Meon Village Hall |
| Cost: | £65 which includes lunch |
| The day starts with a morning of theory, followed by lunch and a visit to our training apiary for a hands on bee experience |
| Website and contact: | Please click here for more details or to register |
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New Forest and District Beekeepers Association Introduction to Beekeeping for Beginners Course
| Start and duration: | Monday or Wednesday evenings 10th March to 21 April 2021, for 6 evenings; 7:30 to 9:30 pm |
| Venue: | Online |
| Cost: | £75 |
Our course is intended for anybody who is thinking of starting beekeeping or for those who have started beekeeping and are looking after their first colony of bees. The course also includes the opportunity for hands on practice at the association’s apiary. Topics covered include: Beekeeping best practice, good hygiene practices, swarm management and disease recognition, eequipment needed for both bees and beekeeper.
Covid-19 guidelines will be adhered to for a safe learning environment. This year the course will be Zoom based, and practical sessions arranged as much as prevailing Covid-19 conditions allow. |
| Website and contact: | Please click here for more details |
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Petersfield BKA Online Beginners’ Course
| Start and duration: | Sunday 21st February 2021 at 14:30, for 4 weekly sessions |
| Venue: | Online |
| Cost: | The first session is free; then £40 which includes membership of the association |
| The first of the 4 sessions in our beginners’ course is a free taster session. We hope to continue training in the apiary from the spring |
| Website and contact: | Please click here for more details or email petersfieldbees@gmail.com to book a place |
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Romsey & District BKA Beginners’ Course
| Start and duration: | Any time. Start and learn at your own pace. We will support you while you learn regardless of when you start |
| Venue: | Online (multi-media) and later at Awbridge Village Hall |
| Cost: | £100 which includes materials and a day for practical work and a visit to the bees |
| This course aims to provide newcomers to the craft of beekeeping with enough knowledge to start this season. It will consist of a dozen online modules created by our expert members covering theory. These will be available any time from mid-March onward, each followed a few days later by a live Zoom Q&A session with the tutors. It includes a package of reading material and a ‘practical’ day with a visit to the bees. We hope to arrange further practical sessions in small groups outdoors as soon as it is permitted and safe. You are encouraged to learn at your own pace and will be supported throughout the course and your start in beekeeping |
| Website and contact: | Please click here for additional information, and how to enrol |
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Romsey & District BKA taster Day
| Start and duration: | Choice of 2, Friday 16th July or Sunday 15th August 2021, 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. |
| Venue: | Awbridge Village Hall |
| Cost: | £60 including light refreshments (please bring your own lunch) |
| The taster day includes some basic theory, a little practical work and – weather permitting! – a visit to the bees. We can lend protective clothing. This is suitable for those who would like to know more about beekeeping but are not yet ready to take the plunge |
| Website and contact: | Please click here for more details |
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Southampton & District Beekeepers’ Association Beginners’ Course
| Start and duration: | To be advised |
| Venue: | To be advised, may be online |
| Cost: | To be advised |
| We hope to run a beginners’ course in 2021. Discussions are underway to decide the most suitable format and dates |
| Website and contact: | Please click here for latest announcements |
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South-West Hampshire Beginners’ Course
| Start and duration: | Wednesday March 10th at 7 p.m. for 7 weekly sessions, then 4 weekly session in the apiary (weather etc permitting) |
| Venue: | Brockenhurst village hall or Zoom depending on relevant current restrictions |
| Cost: | Cost £100 including full SWHB, BBKA & HBA membership, or £80 including Associate SWHB membership only |
Our beginners course is perfect for both non-beekeepers and those who started beekeeping in the last 12 months.
Each evening class covers a different aspect of beekeeping to give you a strong start. |
| Website and contact: | Please click here for more details |
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