stehaggan Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 We have already cleared and planted fruit on about 60% of our second allotment plot, i have an area that i havent done anything with as I want to put bees there. After having an introduction to bees I am hooked, I contacted a local bee association who kindly invited me along and said i can go back each week to learn how to extract, look after, build frames etc and will be a good source of help and information. I asked about courses, they dont run any formally and those who went on courses prior to getting bees just advised to get a good book. I have looked at courses and the only real beekeeping courses near to me arent until september so i think it will be a bit late to get bees by then for this year. So my question, do i really need to attend a course first or could i work towards getting them sooner with the help of a freind who has been on the course, the association to teach me and my book. I am going to join the manchester beekeeper association who run the courses so that I will have insurance. Any thoughts? I am really itching to order everything now - my bee suit arrived today too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 You don't need to do a course if you've got that sort of support - would that all local associations were so helpful! All a course will teach you is pretty much what you've described, and you'll learn much more if you actually have bees - there's only do much you can learn from reading and talks. Get Ted Hooper's Guide to Bees and Honey and get stuck in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Wow! Which association is that? Superb service!! Don't forget to check your allotment deeds etc before you move a hive on sight! Good luck in your quest!! Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stehaggan Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 Right thats it im doing it haha all i needed was someone off here with bees to say go for it Its wythenshawe beekeeping association, i came across an email address by chance on the city cottage website and contacted them. They don't have a website or anything and the kind lady who invited me along said they are trying to keep it very small numbers so i am really thankfull that she said i can go to all of their evenings. Its very informal but thats good because it made me really relaxed with them. There is another person moving them on site next week so I am going to be helping with his and learning in the process, we don't need to have express permission to have them but there will be a few people who whinge I am sure. But I am sure that there will be a lot of people liking our bees pollinating their crops wont there. thanks for the push << toddles off to source hive and bees now >> xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 How wonderful that you have such good support. Please have an out apiary site as a back-up. Allotment beekeeping can run into trouble if the bees get tetchy or bad tempered and you have already acknowledged that there may be complaints at an early stage. Make sure the hive faces away from other allotments or failing that have a fence in front to make the bees go up, but I see you have help in that direction already. Keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stehaggan Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 thanks OSH, at present there is a vacant plot next to mine and if i face the entrance that way it is south east (which ive read is a good way to face?), and i am sort of thinking if anyone takes that plot on they will have to accept it with consideration of the bees. My plan for avoiding low lying bees was to make a frame 2 meters high, to surround the hive and then on 3 of the frames, put enviromesh that is used to stop insects/birds getting onto crops. That way the bees will fly up and over and the light can still get in and i can still see in, so effectively id be making a huge box with 3 enviromesh walls, a hollow wall for me to access and no roof. Does that sound like it could work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I think it might blow away as air doesn't pass through it, perhaps just the one fence six feet from the hive entrance? I don't think it needs to be very tall either, a metre and a half would do. I use a willow hurdle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stehaggan Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 ah ok thanks for that, ill have a google now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Your frame sounds spot on. I am about to do the same when I put some bees onto the school farm. The idea being to get them up before they fly off. 1 1/2 metres puts them at head height - you will need to go a bit higher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
