Bees for Development

How can we ensure the survival of honey bees? This is Bees for Development's Sustainable Beekeeping Course, a weekend Course held at Ragman's Lane Permaculture Farm in the Wye Valley, Gloucestershire.  The Course covers the management of bees, and natural ways to take care of them. Course content: Meet the bees - a hands-on look at honey bee colonies housed in different hives The natural life-cycle of honey bees - honey bee biology and ecology Being a beekeeper - what does keeping bees really mean? The relationship between bees and...

Learn why, where and how it might be done. A concise, one day course on the art of skep beekeeping. Participants will learn about the history of skeps, referencing some of the old master skeppists, their varying styles of skeps and systems of management. The course will include hands on sessions with artefacts and tools and techniques. Mysteries will be be revealed concerning different shelters, floors and stands; spleets, snecks and garts; bennets, laps and litches and more. We will discuss best practice, harvest and health, enjoying indoor theory and...

This brand new one day course will provide you with the history and expert instruction in making classic hackle and floors for your skeps. During the day all aspects of beekeeping in skeps, ancient and modern will be discussed, as you make your hackle and floor. You will take away a floor and hackle.

Learn how to make a lip-work straw skep.  You will make your skep from a long straw wheat with cane lapping.  The course tutor, Chris Park, will explain how to split bramble and willow as needed. You will be able to make about one third of your skep during the day, and take home the skills, tools, and materials to finish off at home.

Learn how to make a willow skep, where expert Chris Park will teach you how to weave a wicker skep, and how to cover it with cloom.  During the day all aspects of beekeeping in skeps, ancient and modern will be discussed.