Whether you're keen to learn everything you need to know to get you started in beekeeping, or simply interested in honeybees, this fun and interactive experience day will teach you the fascinating secrets of the honeybee and how to care for and keep bees for yourself. I am all about hands on experience days, so keep it as practical and interactive as possible with only short sessions inside.
Our Introduction to Bee Keeping day course is lots of fun and packed full of essential information you may need if you have decided to have a hive of your own or are someone who is just fascinated by bees.

ABOUT REBECCA:
Rebecca has helped run the family bee farm (British honey Producers Ltd) since 2005. In 2016, she was the first bee farming apprentice to graduate in the UK on The Worshipful Wax Chandlers Apprenticeship in Bee Farming, sponsored by Rowse Honey (now Valeo foods), The Bee Farmers Association, Sheriff Bee Suits and Defra.
Her career predominantly focused on rearing Buckfast Queen Bees until 2019 when she moved to New Zealand for 5 years. She has had experience rearing queens at Buckfast Denmark with Keld Brandstrup, chairman of the Danish Association of Commercial Beekeepers and rearing thousands of Queens for Alpine Honey Co in New Zealand. She has also been fortunate enough to of spent time researching Manuka Honey production with NZ Honey Co in South Island New Zealand. She has worked with honeybees in Western Australia in the south of Perth researching Jarrah Honey Production, Pollination of Almond Orchards in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, and learning Urban Bee keeping on the skyscrapers in Sydney East Australia. Rebecca and her Husband Kai emigrated back to the UK this year to take over the family business full time.
The exciting part! - Course Itinerary
THE BEE BACKGROUND : Our day begins in my family home on the bee farm, I will talk to you about my background in bee farming and my experiences around the world with Honey bees. We will get to know about the humble honeybee and its fascinating history. You'll learn basic bee biology and all about how bee colonies work.
MEET THE BEES: It's time to try on your bee suit and meet our bees! We'll provide everything you need and teach you how to open the hive, recognise the different types of bee (including how to spot the queen!) and explain what they are doing in different parts of the hive.
* Break for Lunch *
BEEKEEPER’S ESSENTIALS : Find out about and try for yourself the equipment bee keepers use to care for their hives. You'll learn about the lifecycle of a colony, disease prevention and caring for bees and of course how to harvest honey and which plants help support the honeybee population.
LEARN: How honey is made and have a guided honey tasting / pairing! I will go through with you the array of different honey Rowse Honey produce. We will discover different pollen sources – learning about the all the flavours from different countries all over the world.
Then it's time to get back for coffee and a cake to put everything we've learnt together.
There will be plenty of opportunity to ask me questions and get practical advice on keeping bees throughout the entire day - I will try to answer any questions you may have.
WHEN?
Saturday 5th July 2024 10 - 3pm - 10 spaces available
Saturday 26th July 2024 10 - 3pm - 10 spaces available
Sunday 10th August 2024 10 - 3pm - 10 spaces available
WHERE?
Oakfield Honey Farm,
Steeple Claydon, MK18 2LJ
HOW MUCH?
£85.00 per person (home cooked lunch, cakes and refreshments included)
WHO FOR?
This course is designed for adults age 16yrs +
How To Book?
Email: thebeechick@gmail.com
Tel: 01296 730 794