OBKA Beginners Course 2025

Welcome to everyone interested in joining our 2025 Beekeeping Beginners’ Course.

You are invited to our first introductory session:

What is Beekeeping?

7.00 pm, Wednesday 29th January 2025
Venue (to be confirmed) – Marlborough CE School, Shipton Rd, Woodstock OX20 1LP

(click here for Google Maps of their location).

This session introduces the outline of the Beginners Course. It also provides a chance to meet some of your tutors and ask questions before making the decision to enrol. Our objective is to provide an opportunity to help you determine whether this is the course for you, as beekeeping does involve some commitment. We have a limit on the number of places for this course, which is run by volunteers. However, we are keen to share our knowledge and passion for this fascinating craft.

This session is free, and you do not need to bring any equipment, although you may wish to make some notes.

To help us estimate the number of attendees at this session, please email our Training Coordinator, Dawn, at training@obka.org.uk if you intend to come. There is no registration, and everyone is welcome on the night. We look forward to meeting you.

Provisional Dates

The course aims to give you the basic beekeeping skills to look after a hive independently. Thereafter you can decide whether you wish to develop your skills further. The course is run over nine sessions, and the provisional arrangements are as follows:

Theory: Four classroom sessions are scheduled for the evenings of April 22nd and 23rd, May 20th, and June 17th. Additional repeat sessions will be offered on April 26th, May 21st, and June 18th.

Practical: Five practical sessions on either Tuesdays, 6th and 13th May, and 3rd, 10th and 24th June, or on Wednesdays, 7th and 14th May, and 4th, 11th and 25th June, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

The practical sessions take place at our training apiary located at Marlborough School in Woodstock. This year, we plan to run our Theory sessions there as well. We are awaiting confirmation and will choose a different venue if needed.

The course fee is £100. You will also need to become a member of OBKA, which costs £29 and includes membership of the British Beekeepers Association. As an OBKA member, you will have access to our other courses. Payment and other details will be provided when enrolment opens. The course is restricted to adults only (over 18 years old).

What to know a bit more about what is involved in being a beekeeper?

If you want to know a bit more about becoming a beekeeper and what it entails, then click here to read this article from a well-known blogger and bee researcher, The Apiarist

Please Note: Attendance at the ‘What is Beekeeping’ talk is required if you wish to sign up for the Beginner Beekeeping course. This talk can also help you decide whether you wish to enrol in the course and/or become a member of OBKA; you cannot take the Beginners’ Course unless you are also a member of the Association.

To join the Oxfordshire Beekeepers Association (OBKA) click on this link to go to the application form.