The South Cheshire Branch offers various training opportunities for those who wish to take up beekeeping and those who wish to improve their beekeeping. Some courses at the highest level are offered by the County Association for the whole of Cheshire.
Beginner’s Course
South Cheshire beekeepers run their annual course starting in January called Introduction to Beekeeping. It is composed of 7/8 theory sessions and any number of attendances at the apiary at Cranage on Saturday afternoons in the season where colonies will be routinely inspected and teaching provided. There will also be a Honey extraction day in August. It will provide you with sufficient information to get started. We also try to provide you with a mentor for your first year of beekeeping.
The cost is GBP 100 per person which includes membership of Cheshire Beekeepers’ Association and the national organisation BBKA.
In 2026 theory sessions will be held on Thursday evenings during January, February and March 7.30 – 9.30pm at Sandbach Library. 2026 is now fully booked.
Names are already being taken for the 2027 course starting January next year. If you are interested, please send your name and contact details to David education@scbka.org.uk. When information about 2027 course is available, usually mid-September, you will be sent the details. The course is very popular and is generally booked up by the end of October.
Basic Assessment Preparation
The Basic Assessment is for those who have kept bee for at least 12 months and is a very simple test of general competence, with a practical and a theoretical element. This course takes members through the requirements of the assessment and makes sure that their knowledge of honey bee biology and diseases is up to the required level. We have not had a fail yet! Here is the syllabus.
Intermediate Training
During the season we organise several practical sessions for beekeepers with some experience. Queen rearing, disease recognition and treatment, feeding and honey testing are frequent topics. At County level courses are offered which prepare people for the two further practical examinations offered by the BBKA.
BBKA Module Examinations
Each winter, three online study groups are organised by the Cheshire Association, each one based on one of the BBKA written examinations. There are six of these, so each one is covered every second year. There is more information on the county CBKA website members page Study Groups.
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If you are interested in any of these courses, contact;
David Fray; education@scbka.org.uk; Mobile +44 7742 187169.
Cheshire Beekeepers' Association, South Cheshire Branch 