So you might want to become a beekeeper?
2010 09 30 - 07:49 | Jeff
It was inspiring to participate in Bedfordshire Beekeepers’ annual Honey show at Stockwood Discovery Centre on Saturday 18 September 2010. The pictures may give you a glimpse of the wonderful range of honeys and other products that originate from just one county – superb flavours in mead and honey cakes too as well as other craft items. Many people came to see the stalls and exhibits, and to talk to us.
Anyone can become a beekeeper in this country – unlike New Zealand, for example, where I am told that you need to take tests and become authorised to keep bees. This year there are about 40 members listed in the Luton district of Bedfordshire Beekeepers Association. This is up from 31 last year, reflecting perhaps the huge interest in bees and their problems that have been much canvassed in the media – and a growing sympathy for the natural world. Beekeeping is certainly a marvellous way to connect with the environment.
Words of caution, though: beekeepers themselves are divided about the wisdom of keeping bees in town situations. Hives differ greatly in temperament, from very gentle types with whom it is a joy to share your garden and its flowers, to occasional “pit bulls” who terrorise the neighbourhood. You have to know how to handle bees so that they behave well. You have to be able to deal with swarming and to recognise pests and diseases.
If it works, you can expect about 30-40 lbs of honey a year from a hive, and maybe much more if you are lucky, as you may be, because towns very often provide a better environment for bees these days than the countryside. Intriguingly, central London is one of the best areas in Britain for keeping bees, with large flavoursome crops from the Lime trees in particular.
So like most things in life, it is worth investigating what beekeeping is all about before embarking too rashly. I strongly recommend going on a local course provided by Bedfordshire Beekeepers Association. This is usually a week-by-week experience, with essential theory in the winter, followed by practical experience on handling bees up at the Stockwood apiary in the spring. Course tutors are highly experienced local beekeepers.
Hurry if you want to go down this path as the course is very popular and heavily subscribed.
Contact the secretary Wally Thrale, tel. 01767 225846 or go on the website www.bedfordshirebeekeepers.org.uk. Joining the Association eventually will give you insurance and access to all sorts of services and support.
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