{"id":4511,"date":"2024-02-04T11:08:04","date_gmt":"2024-02-04T11:08:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightonlewesbeekeepers.co.uk\/?page_id=4511"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:30:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T10:30:31","slug":"improve-your-beekeeping-skills","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.brightonlewesbeekeepers.co.uk\/?page_id=4511","title":{"rendered":"Training and Assessment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Improve Your Beekeeping Skills<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brighton and Lewes Division beekeepers are keen to help our members to improve their knowledge and skills in a number of ways.
Gain knowledge and confidence by taking the BBKA exams<\/a>. A flow chart of the training process can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more details of these or other training and education events see the relevant page and\/or contact Jude New<\/a>, on Buzz (WhatsApp) or Brighton and Lewes Division Facebook page.
There is usually a small charge to cover administration, catering and stationary costs for all courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction to beekeeping 2025-26<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0March 14th session 1 - will cover bee biology, how much does a bee see, what is honey, what do bees do in winter.
2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0April 25th session 2 \u2013 bee diseases what they look like how to manage them what is notifiable and who to notify.
3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0May 23rd session 3 - how to keep your bees watching for signs of swarming, how to increase your bees.< br>
4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0June 13th session 4 \u2013 when to add supers.
5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0July 25th session 5 \u2013 how to prepare for clearing supers and extraction.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0August 15 session 6 \u2013 what to do after extraction to prepare the colonies for winter (yes winter!)<\/p>\n

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If you would like some literature to support your beekeeping either buy (or borrow from our Brighton and Lewes Beekeeping Library)

The Haynes Guide to Beekeeping
There are a series of BBKA special news editions
Here BBKA Resources - BBKA can only ship orders to UK residents | British Beekeepers Association<\/p>\n

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I will send you a programme for beginner session, when you complete this form<\/a>.

If you any queries please do get in touch with me<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Study group for Honey Bee Health Certificate 2026
<\/strong>To encourage beekeepers who have been awarded the BBKA Basic Certificate and have at least three years of beekeeping experience to improve their understanding and practice of beekeeping.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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A new study group for 2026 will start in January 2026. There will be a series of talks which will cover the Honey Bee Health Certificate syllabus followed by a practical work in the apiary, some theory and individual study to prepare for the assessment in the summer of 2026<\/p>\n

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Provisional dates for the online part of the course and apiary visits:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Online presentations<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Jan 26th<\/sup>\u00a0-apiary hygiene<\/p>\n

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Feb 23rd<\/sup>\u00a0\u2013 brood diseases including foul brood<\/p>\n

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March 23rd<\/sup>\u00a0\u2013 Adult bee diseases<\/p>\n

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April 20th<\/sup>\u00a0\u2013 honeybee nutrition and poisoning\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Apiary visits<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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April 18th<\/sup>\u00a0- bee disease inspection \u2013 sampling for nosema<\/p>\n

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April 25th<\/sup>\u00a0- bee disease inspection \u2013 awareness of current reporting of disease (foul brood, varroa) how to deal with other pests \u2013 mice, wood peckers, hornets using monitoring traps.<\/p>\n

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19\/04 - comb exchange Hove _ shook swarm<\/p>\n

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26\/04 \u2013 Grassroots Bailey comb exchange<\/p>\n

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This is a practical assessment suitable for members who wish to advance beyond their Basic Assessment.<\/p>\n

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This assessment aims to encourage beekeepers who have achieved the BBKA Basic Certificate and have at least three years of beekeeping experience to improve their understanding of the practice of beekeeping. The candidate will normally be conducted in May, June or July.<\/p>\n

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The assessment will take place\u00a0<\/p>\n

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