Bee keeping club offering courses

Bee keeping club offering courses

29 August 2018

DROMORE Bee Keepers Association are again delivering one of three parts of the intermediate level beekeeping course.

This builds on the knowledge gained from the preliminary course and improves the understanding of both the scientific and practical aspects of beekeeping. 

It consists of three parts — scientific, practical and apiary practical — delivered over a period of at least two years and leading to the Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations (FIBKA) Intermediate Certificate of Proficiency in Beekeeping.

Holders of the FIBKA Preliminary Beekeeping certificate — or equivalent — may wish to increase their knowledge, understanding and practical skills in beekeeping. Those applying should be aware that independent study is essential in addition to attending classes and apiary workshops. 

The practical written element of the course will be held in Dromore High School and will consist of 15 evening classroom sessions between September and April, followed by a three-hour written examination in April or May.

The first class will start on Wednesday, September 12, at 6.30pm. Elements covered will include migratory beekeeping, queen rearing, management of nuclei, disease and pest control, equipment, preparation of honey and wax for show, legislation and starting up in beekeeping. The syllabus is available on http://www.irishbeekeeping.ie/index.php/about-us/education/examinations/intermediate-syllabus.

The Intermediate apiary practical can also stand on its own as a step towards the Practical Bee-master Certificate for those not wishing to take all three hour written examinations.  For those planning to progress further, it is a step towards completing the apiary practical part of the senior certificate.

The intermediate certificate will be awarded only when all three examinations have been passed. The fee for this practical part of the course is £140; which covers the 15 evening sessions and the examination fee.

If you would like to take part in the class, please register with CAFRE and enrol online- https://www.cafre.ac.uk/short-courses/bees-intermediate-beekeeping-course/ or for further information please contact course tutor, Vanessa Drew, on 07754 091772 or vanessadrew@btinternet.com.