stoice Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 My OH has expressed an interest in keeping bees (Well, I have my chooks so it's only fair! ) I have no idea where to start so if anyone could recommend a good website or book on the subject (Aswell as any tips) that would be really cool. Hmmm, honey Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Hi Stacey - we have bees, and so does Lynda (Missuscluck), and Martin. There is a forum on the British Beekeepers site and it will also give details of your nearest group. Most groups will hold a series of meetings and visits to the apiary so that your OH can find out if beekeeping is for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Lesley is right. The BBKA web site is great. Its like this one but for bees (obviously ) You can ask as many daft questions as you want!! They love beginners at the meetings and if its like the Cheshire Beekeepers that we go to, will bend over backwards to get you on board. Its a complex subject and you need a mentor. Someone to ring when you dont know what to do. Or you think you should do something and just need to know if your instincts are right. Good Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 Thanks missuscluck and Lesley Will pass this on to OH. He can be addicted to his forum then! Like I am with this one! xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 That's something that we've always fancied doing, but never quite sure whether it would work in a garden with dogs, neighbours etc. Is it practical? (Useful to know about Cheshire Beekeepers too!) J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Cheshire beekeepers meet the first Thursday of every month at Bradwall Village Hall nr. Sandbach at 7pm. Not sure how practical it is as it depends on the size of you garden. They need a clear runway up to the hive and if they are close to the house they will make a nusance of themselves in the kitchen if you are cooking something nice Probably works best with a long garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckov Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 I would love to get some bees, I attended a day long Intro to Beekeeping a couple of months back, am completely fascinated by them! Warwick and Leamington Beekeepers run a (heavily oversubscribed) course usually in the spring for aspiring beekeepers. Agree that you do need the support of your local Association and to go into it with your eyes fully open. They may have honey preparing equipment that you can use for free (?centrifuge) and will be a brilliant source of advice. I'd be really interested to know....just how long a garden do you need? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 This is something we have been pondering too We have the long garden,but are in a heavily treed area,so will have to look into it further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 OK, have chatted the Hubby up & he is well into the idea of beekeeping too So I have posted a plea on Freecycle for any spare kit (long shot I know), & we are going to a meeting in a couple of weeks. Jimmy Doherty has a lot to answer for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsallen08 Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 There is a family who have bees in the middle of London. Hackney Honey. They were on River Cottage a whole ago. Just goes to show it is possible anywhere. Try searching 'Hackney Honey' on Google, they have 4/5 hives all on the top of flat roof extention on a 4 storey building! Was great to watch and very interesting! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 Can't recall what programme it was that I saw a couple who had made a garden on a house boat, complete with bee hive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
