Suffolk BKA offers a hands-on course over three separate days for beekeepers who wish to achieve a higher level of skill and knowledge in the main areas of practical beekeeping. Applicants should already hold the BBKA's Basic or intend applying to take it this year. Applicants should also have four or more years beekeeping experience, but this criterion is not absolute. This will be our twelfth year running these courses. Places are limited to twelve. Early application would be wise.

Practical sessions:

  • Finding queens, clipping and marking.
  • A method of raising queens.
  • Health checks.
  • Bailey comb change.
  • Swarm prevention and methods.
  • Nuclei for different purposes.

Talks & demonstrations:

  • Swarm control.
  • Dealing with aggressive colonies.
  • Stings and first aid.
  • Taking the BBKA’s General Husbandry Assessment.
  • How to produce soft-set honey and clean wax blocks.

Weather permitting, for much of the time, we will be actively working with bees. This course requires experience and confidence in handling bees and the drive to improve still further. Participants should have an interest in testing their methods, learning about alternatives and sharing expertise and knowledge.

If there are more applicants than places, preference will be given to those intending to take the BBKA’s General Husbandry Assessment in 2026 or 2027. If you cannot be sure of attending all 3 days, please do not apply.

Tutors:

  • Jane Corcoran
  • David Burns
  • Peter Langford,
  • Jeremy Quinlan.

Cost: £50.00. For this you also get some queen-raising equipment (a graft frame & an Apidea mini-nuc).

If you can’t afford the fee, please ask - discounts and waivers are possible.

Dates and places: 2nd & 10th May in Dallinghoo IP13 0JX and 3rd May in Westhall, Halesworth IP19 8RQ.

For further details and before registering or sending any money, please contact Jeremy Quinlan via:

or

  • Telephone: 01473 737700

Please DO NOT assume there are places available... check first!

Once assured that there is a place available, go online and complete the application form