One Day Beekeeping Training for Beginners 2024
2024 Courses
The sell-out courses will return in late April 2024 and run through until July 2024 on selected Saturdays.
Dates now available to book:
Saturday April 27th 2024 (SOLD OUT)
Saturday May 11th 2024 (SOLD OUT)
Saturday June 1st 2024 (SOLD OUT)
Saturday June 15th 2024 (SOLD OUT)
Saturday June 29th 2024 (NEW DATE)
More dates will be released in the coming months
Have you ever thought about keeping bees? Maybe you feel like you're not quite ready or lack the confidence to do it? Or maybe you have already started but need some help?
How would you like Gruffydd Rees himself to teach you the art of beekeeping at his farm? Gruffydd will show you how to do inspections, tell you what to look out for and how to avoid doing mistakes. In a totally relaxed non corporate way.
Gruffydd has been keeping bees for 11 years and has a vast of knowledge when it comes to beekeeping and he wants to share it with you.
By using Gruffydd’s unique approach to beekeeping, personal strategies, tools and tactics you will be able to streamline, innovate and maximise your beekeeping enterprise. Whether you want to produce your own honey or start your honey business or as part of a diversification plan.
This one-day introductory course combines practical hands-on beekeeping with the relevant theory. The workshop is lots of fun and includes all the essential information to leave you confident about looking after your own bees.
The course runs from 10am until approximately 4pm on our honey farm.
(10 minutes from Llandeilo and 20 minutes from Carmarthen by car)
Maximum 10 people per course
Please see full course details on the bottom of this page along with full Terms and Conditions.
What you'll learn:
Bee Basics - The day will begin with welcome and refreshments and the first half of the day will be based in the barn where we will go through all the basics to get you started. We will cover many topics including; What hive to get? Where to get the hive? Where to get the equipment and where to get the bees? We will also teach you all the management techniques you will need from swarming, feeding, producing honey and you're beekeeping year. Included in the workshop you will get a print-off of the training so you can refresh your brain once you leave.
Lunch - We’ll aim to break for lunch at around 1pm
Practical - the rest of the afternoon will be spent hands-on at the apiary, going through numerous beehives on the farm. This is where you build up your knowledge and confidence. We’ll guide you how to confidently work with the bees from opening the hive, to recognising the types of bees, explain what they’re doing in different parts of the hive.
Q&A - We finish the day with tea and cake and the opportunity to ask questions. It will be the ideal opportunity for you to share with us the challenges you've experienced and for us to provide practical solutions as well as looking in-depth at the pros and cons of various pieces of equipment available on the market.
- The beekeeping workshop will run from 10am until around 4pm and includes refreshments and lunch.
- The course has a classroom based morning session and a hands-on practical session in the afternoon. We will provide bee suits and gloves.
- You can handle the bees as much or as little as you'd like
- Please check the weather for SA32 and dress appropriately. Bring a pair of wellies and please do not wear perfume or cologne!
- All delegates will be required to sign a declaration in oder to partake in the day’s activities.
- Suitable for ages 16+.
Gruffydd along with his wife runs our small award winning honey business from our smallholding in rural Carmarthenshire. Gruffydd has been keeping bees for 10 years and has gained immense experience during these years and now cares for around 250 colonies of his own bees. Gruffydd is Welsh first language and is able to deliver the course through the medium of Welsh or English. He is a passionate beekeeper and wants to encourage more people to discover the exciting and beneficial hobby of beekeeping. He has completed his Disease Assurance Scheme for Honeybees (dash) with the National Bee Unit. Gruffydd is a familiar face in the beekeeping world and regularly does talks and presentations to groups.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
All workshop confirmations and supporting information will be emailed to you, including a reminder the week before the workshop with details and directions to the farm.
Unfortunately we can't predict or control the weather. If, on the day we decide that the weather is too poorly to inspect the bees then a 30% refund will be offered or an alternative date for the practical session offered. The morning session will run as planned regardless of the weather.
Cancellations
We put a lot of energy into organising our courses so that all involved enjoy the day. If you are unable to attend the course after booking and get in touch with us at least one month before, we will try to move you to another course date where possible. Please note: 25% of your course fee is non-refundable if you cancel your place over one month before the course date. I'm afraid that should you cancel your place less than one month before the course we are unable to refund your purchase.
Had a thoroughly enjoyable day with Gruff and Agharad. The theory was interesting and engaging with lots of advice and personal experience mixed in. We looked through and handled a few different hives and frames. The lunch was delicious too! Such a wonderful family that welcome you with open arms and even after 13 years, the passion and enthusiasm is still clearly evident. If you're thinking about or are new to beekeeping, definitely something to book on to ASAP! Thanks guys!
As a beginner to beekeeping I found the course really informative. Excellent hands on training and indoor class.
Gruff and Angharad were friendly and welcoming.
Lunch was also wonderful.
As someone just starting to keep bees, prior to the course everything seemed a little daunting and overwhelming, but this course was exactly what I needed and gave me all the information and confidence I needed to really enjoy our new residents! Gruff and Angharad were so welcoming, friendly, and full of such invaluable information, you really do feel you are in the best hands and getting the best foundation to start your bee keeping journey! Lunch was also delicious!
Thank you Gruff and Angharad for a brilliant day and superb course! Thoroughly enjoyed the day!
What a wonderful day.
Learned so much about Bees and Hives.
Gruff, Angharad and the children are delightful.
Lunch was excellent
I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn about Bees and Honey
I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to bee keeping. Both Gruff and Angharad were very welcoming and hospitable.
The content of the course was pitched just right and with the one stop shop we were able to purchase the essential equipment and take away with us. Welsh black bees are due to arrive ne t month so time to construct.
The packed lunch was superb.