Course 1 - Thinking of becoming a bee keeper?

Taster Sessions 2026

Saturday; April 26th, 2026
At our Northop College Apiary 1.30pm

Session will be a brief introduction to what it takes to become a beekeeper with a visit into the Association hives.

Cost £15 per person, over 14 years only.

The next session will be September, if you do not get a place on this session.

Please contact the Secretary to book your place.

Sunday; September 27th, 2026

At our Northop College Apiary 1.00pm

Session will be a brief introduction to what it takes to become a beekeeper with a visit into the Association hives.

Cost £15 per person, over 14 years only.

Please contact the Secretary to book your place.

Course 2 - Practical Beginners Course April 2026

This course is a mix of theory online and practical at one of the associations apiaries. As part of signing up to the course, you can be added to our list of those that will require bees (if required). The bees will be from a local Flintshire Beekeeper, will have a current year 'marked' queen (unless otherwise advised) and you will have the opportunity to meet and obtain guidance and advice from the Beekeeper who raised your colony.

The Flint & District Beekeeper Association advocates acquiring bees local and from within Flintshire to best succeed with newly hived bees.

Begins April 2026

Venue : An Association Apiary except first meeting.

Session One

Thursday 22nd April 7.30pm - Venue TBC

Making a hive and hive parts. Practical session to show how to make up frames, brood box, supers. To explain the parts of a hive. 

Session Two

Wednesday 6^th May 8.00pm – Online Theory

Session Three

Thursday 7^th May 6.30pm - At the Apiaries

Handling the bees, lighting a smoker, protective gear and colony records. Full beesuits will be needed for this session as we go through the hive recording what we find. Bring along your smoker to have a go at lighting.

Session Four

Wednesday 20^th May 8.00pm – Online Theory

Session Five

Thursday 21^st May 6.30pm - At the Apiaries

The bee colony. Full beesuits will be needed for this session as we look at the different bees in the hive, find the Queen and possibly mark her.

Session Six

Wednesday 10^th June 8.00pm – Online Theory

Session Seven

Thursday 11^th June 6.30pm - At the Apiaries

Controlled expansion. Full beesuits will be needed for this session as we look at a hive preparing to swarm and how to deal with this.

Session Eight

Wednesday 24^th June 8.00pm – Online Theory

Session Nine

Thursday 25^th June 6.30pm - At the Apiaries

Disease. Full beesuits will be needed for this session as we look through the hives to check for any sign of disease and discuss treatments.

Session Ten

Honey Session - May/August/September

Taking the honey crop (and varoa treatment). This will be arranged with your particular tutor when their crop is ready.

Please Note:

Beesuits, Wellingtons and Gloves

There are a limited number of association beesuits available to borrow. So although not essential it is advisable to provide your own. You must provide your own wellingtons and washing up gloves.

Course Numbers

Course numbers are restricted, the cost is £80 payable in advance. Course participants will be able to put there name on a list for a nuc. We can not guarantee when they will become available.

You will be allocated a tutor who will confirm where you are to meet on the practical sessions. Each session will have a theory online meeting on the Wednesday evening at 8pm for approximately an hour. 

Please contact the Secretary to book your place.