Education Courses

1. Introduction to Beekeeping Course

  • Below is an overview of the beginners’ course which we are running in 2026/27, starting with a ‘Meet the Bees’ taster afternoon
  • All indoor sessions are run at Uplowman Village Hall on Wednesday evenings starting at 7.30pm with tea, coffee and cake included
  • The outdoor sessions start in the Spring of 2027 at the club’s apiary which is located on the National Trust’s Knightshayes Estate at Tiverton
  • The cost of the course includes first year membership at the Tiverton Beekeepers and membership of the Devon Beekeepers starting in January, and a Haynes Bee Manual
  • A partner membership is available with a full membership at reduced cost
1. Meet the Bees – Hands on session at the Knightshayes Apiary5 Sep 2026
2. Introduction to Beekeeping23 Sep 2026
3. The Hive and its Components21 Oct 2026
4. The Colony25 Nov 2026
5. Plants and Hive products6 Jan 2027
6. Bee and Colony Health 27 Jan 2027
7. Colony Management22 Feb 2027
8. Getting Started10 Mar 2027
9. First Spring Inspection – Knightshayes ApiaryApril 2027
10. General Inspection – Knightshayes ApiaryApril 2027
11. Swarm Prevention – Knightshayes ApiaryMay 2027
12. Swarm Control- Knightshayes ApiaryMay 2027
13. General Inspection – Knightshayes ApiaryJune 2027
14. Honey Harvest/Uniting Bees – Knightshayes ApiaryAugust 2027
15. Honey Extraction – Evening eventAugust 2027
16. Preparing for winter – Knightshayes ApiarySeptember 2027

* Final dates for the outdoor sessions will be set nearer the time and are usually run at weekends.

Syllabus 2026-27 Beginners CourseDownload

If you are interested in joining or have any questions relating to the course please contact us on education @ tivertonbeekeepers.uk or sign up using the form here.

Alternatively, please download, print and complete the form below, then scan or photograph it and return to education @ tivertonbeekeepers.uk

Beginners Enrolment Form 2026-27Download

As a club member you will benefit from:

  • Regular colour magazines from BBKA and an online magazine from DBKA
  • A monthly ‘Tivvy Buzzette’ – keeping you up to date about beekeeping in the Tiverton area
  • Insurance
  • Branch meetings in the winter, with a monthly programme of events
  • Regular summer meetings at our Apiary at Knightshayes

2. Improvers’ Course

This course offers the opportunity for people who have kept bees for at least two years to improve their skills and knowledge.

A course is being run in spring 2026.

For more information please contact the Education Coordinator here