Bees for Development reviews

Jan reviewed: Straw skep hive making course 9 September - with Bees for Development

"Enjoyed the day and learned a lot but one third of the skep was not achieved by anyone, so I think that was an ambitious promise."

Bees for Development responded:

"Hello Jan, thank you for taking the time to leave feedback, we greatly appreciate your comments. We will review our course description to reflect what is achievable in the time available but are glad you enjoyed the day and hope to see you again. Thank you for supporting Bees for Development. Kind regards, Rachael"

Shabdam reviewed: Introduction to Skep Beekeeping - with Bees for Development

"This was such an inspiring day and I learned so much more than I expected. Chris, our tutor was excellent and very knowledgeable. It was a day to remember with a great bunch of people. "

Bees for Development responded:

"Dear Shabdam, thank you so much for your lovely review which I have passed on to Chris. We are so pleased you enjoyed the course and hope to see you again soon. Kind regards, Rachael Bees for Development."

Lisa Coward reviewed: Straw skep hive making course - with Bees for Development

"Great day, we’ll run, good facilities and lunch."

Bees for Development responded:

"Thank you for taking the time to leave a lovely review. We're so pleased you enjoyed the day and hope to see you again soon. Rachael "

Charli and Tim reviewed: Mead Making with Chris Park and Bees for Development

"Had a lovely time with Chris in and around his home, collecting spring water, picking botanicals for the mead and of course making the mead from the honey. We found the talk on the mythology and history of mead especially fascinating. Though they were not active we also got to see several of his hives and the bees therein. Chris was a great host and teacher, was engaging and personable. The location was beautiful and also steeped in history. Would recommend to anyone interested in mead, regardless of their experience in brewing or bee keeping. "

Lisa Coward reviewed: Mead Making with Chris Park and Bees for Development

"Recommend this course for starting with the cultural history of mead as well as explaining that mead production is as much an art as it is a science and that the resulting mead is a very personal product."

Bees for Development responded:

"Thank you Lisa - we're glad you enjoyed the course!"

Mike reviewed: Straw skep hive making course - with Bees for Development

"Very enjoyable course. Great tutor and location with a superb lunch."

Katie reviewed: Straw skep hive making course - with Bees for Development

"Chris is a fountain of knowledge and an excellent teacher. The group was wonderful, we sang and skepped all day long. The lunch was amazing too. Would strongly recommend this course to anyone wanting to try their hand and learn more about this ancient and beautiful craft."

David Matthews reviewed: Straw skep hive making course - with Bees for Development

"Loved it. Chris is a really skilled, knowledgeable and engaging teacher, and I feel as if I now have a skill for life. One of the most enjoyable courses I've ever done."

Jane reviewed: Willow skep hive (Alveari) making - with Bees for Development

"What a wonderful day; even more special during these challenging times to learn something new and meet people. Chris was incredibly knowledgable, explaining the history and folklore around skeps, and generous with his hands on help to help my first ever attempt at willow weaving be nudged into a bee home! We were given a bucket of clum and today I have plastered it and intend to make another one as soon as possible so I don’t forget the techniques learned on the day. It was also great to have Giacomo from Bees for Development on tbe workshop and he shared with us the fantastic work that they do. The lovely friendly ladies from Yew Tree pub provided the most delicious cake and huge lunch and the venue was perfect. I also was delighted to buy some cider to take home along with the skep. My only suggestion, would be a brief handout to help us remember the techniques and also where we can get willow and how to make clum."

Clare Downie reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"I loved this course. It was a great combination of biology, conservation, beekeeping skills, and meeting like minded people in a group. It broadened my perspective on beekeeping, and it was very interesting to learn about the work and ethos of Bees for Development. Beekeeping for bees, with minimum intervention, kindness, and real attention to their natural behaviour. Thank you. I was very inspired. I have a beehive, and all I need now are some bees!"

Bridget reviewed: Straw skep hive making course - with Bees for Development

"I loved this course! Chris was a very skilled teacher - so gently showing and telling us how to make our skeps. And telling stories about bees, laced with life wisdom. Everyone was fully engaged, in a very good atmosphere, and made great progress."

Alice reviewed: Straw skep hive making course - with Bees for Development

"I had a wonderful day, a great group and excellent instruction by Chris - a fountain of knowledge and a pleasure to be around. I felt i gained enough practice and knowledge to complete the skep at home. The food was excellent and an all round great way to spend a day."

Damian Pinel reviewed: Straw skep hive making course - with Bees for Development

"An excellent course. Tutor very knowledgable, engaging and enthusiastic. The venue, Yew Tree Inn, was first class and this contributed to a really enjoyable day. The booking process is simple and the Bees for Development staff most helpful. Highly recommended."

Adrian Vanderplank reviewed: Straw skep hive making course - with Bees for Development

"A really good day learning the history and how to make skeps, it's made me appreciate the time and skill that goes into making them. Great venue and the lunch was excellent. Thanks again to Giacomo and Chris."

Rachel Atiyah reviewed: Straw skep hive making course - with Bees for Development

"Only reason I didn't put excellent is because I wish we could have had longer! Great bee group, knowledgeable teacher with interesting stories to tell. As for the food.... delicious with the bonus of tasting the Perry (in the pub) made on the farm! Have yet to finish my skep, and feeling quite proud of how well it is forming/looking so far. Thanks Bees for Development ."

Giacomo reviewed: Straw skep hive making course - with Bees for Development

"Wonderful and inspirational day with Chris and three fellow students, all of whom lovely and full of interesting things to tell. It was my first time working with straw, which I really enjoyed. Amazing to witness a bundle of chaotic stalks transform into a tight, strong spiral. Chris is a well of wisdom and a master storyteller: lots to learn about bees, honey, health, skeps, ancient myths and more. Huge, diverse and delicious spread of dishes for lunch. Highly recommended to anyone who has an interest in beekeeping or just likes to work with their hands and an open mind."

Kate Stallard reviewed: Straw skep hive making course - with Bees for Development

"I had the most fabulous and rewarding day. Great tuition with interesting conversation throughout. So pleased with my skep so far and feel confident that I can finish at home with the tools provided. Lunch was excellent. Highly recommend and looking forward to further courses."

Karen Flynn reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"I attended Dr Leo Sharashkin's 2day natural beekeeping course in Monmouth and am so happy I did. It was amazing, he really knows how to convey the importance of a natural approach to beekeeping. He is a very good speaker, interactive with the class and has a lot of scientific evidence to back up his own observations. I am certainly keen to try using a horizontal hive next year and this course gave me the confidence to go ahead and change my approach to beekeeping."

Gill Horrocks reviewed: Willow skep hive (Alveari) making - with Bees for Development

"Exciting, practical course — and you get to take home your own willow skep! Chris Parks is an excellent and expert teacher with vast patience. I had never done any willow weaving before so the entire process was new to me. Discovering the history of willow weaving was fascinating in its own right. I hope a swarm will choose my skep as its home next Spring."

Vicki GARRATT reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"An inspirational course! Dr Leo Sarashkin delivers a most uplifting and engaging lecture combining the complex science with the gritty practicalities... reconciling the ideal world of beekeeping with the realistic limitations of the humble beekeeper battling to do their best! I have come away from the course preparing to start a horizontal hive apiary following his ethos. A wonderful course... much recommended!"

Maria reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"Most enjoyable weekend. Covered a lot, the time flew by!"

Gill Horrocks reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"I attended Leo Sharashkin's course for the second time in 2019. He brought new insights and evidence to his approach and is generously interactive with attendees. He is one of the best tutors I have ever come across in any subject and the bees are fortunate to have his knowledgeable advocacy!"

Owen reviewed: Introduction to Skep Beekeeping - with Bees for Development

"The course was excellent. The information fascinating. Delivered in a relaxed organised manner with a good balance of practical and theory. Loved it."

Heather Knowles reviewed: Straw skep hive making course - with Bees for Development

"What a fabulous day making a bee skep with Chris Park. He's enthusiasm for the subject was infectious and made the day so enjoyable. Whilst we worked away on our skeps he was feeding us with knowledge on skep bee keeping and its history. It gave me the confidence to easily finish off the skep at home. The venue was perfect with a break for lunch in the Yew Tree Inn with excellent food."

Joan Leitch reviewed: Straw skep hive making course - with Bees for Development

"It was so much better having Chris as a guide, than trying to learn this skill from a book. It was also nice to have others around to chat to. An addictive pastime I think - we didn't want to stop for lunch! They also let us take the tools home so we could complete our skeps."