Bees for Development reviews

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

"The course was well organised and run and the food and venue very good. A nice informal atmosphere and friendly tutor. I am a basket maker and so joined the course in order to learn how to make and apply clum, not for the weaving skills. I came all prepared, as requested in the briefing notes, but sadly we did not cover this on the day and I was disappointed. This is not to detract from the overall experience and the group made and finished some lovely baskets but for me it did not fulfil my needs or meet the course description. Some supporting handouts on bee keeping in skeps would have been helpful."

Bees for Development responded:

"Dear Sarah, thank you for joining our course and for your review. On last week's course our tutor Chris had been unable to access the right materials to plaister the hives and therefore could not demonstrate this technique, although Chris did bring a finished hive to show you, and he did describe how to do this, and discuss various different 'recipes'. We invite you to come along to the next Willow Skep Course on Sunday 6 October in Monmouth when Chris will be able to show you how to do this. You could also view our video which shows the technique in Uganda which can be found in the Resource Centre section of our website. Kind regards, Nicola Bradbear"

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

"I really enjoyed the day. Chris was very informative and helpful. He had a lot of patience and explained the skep making very well. A suggestion would be a hand out, to refer to, on making the cloon to cover the skep in the future. The food was excellent, as was the venue. A relaxed and happy atmosphere."

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

"A wonderful course. Chris is an inspiring and patient teacher. He not only passed on his skills as a skep-maker but also gave us an insight into the history of skeps and bee-keeping. Leaving with the basic skills, equipment and materials to finish my skep was brilliant. It was a great day spent with a group of very friendly, interesting people. The lunch and cake were delicious! The day was very well organised and the surrounding countryside beautiful."

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

"Inspirational teacher! Great insight into historical bee keeping. The day went too quickly. Great to take home the knowledge and equipment to finish the skep. Lovely group of people and superb lunch! Many thanks to all involved."

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

"Fantastic hands-on course with extremely knowledgeable expert tutor, who not only demonstrated it to us en masse, but also came around individually as the day went on to see how we were getting along and helping correct any mistakes. No issue was too small and he was extremely patient. I came away with a skill that I didn’t have when I arrived and an eagerness to do more."

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

"I don't keep bees, and only had a vague intension to do so one day when my partner booked me on this course as a day of relaxation. It was excellent. I spent the day totally immersed in craftwork, led by the very knowledgable Chris Park, working alongside friendly people. The delicious and plentiful lunch also has to be given a mention. I came away resolved to finish my skep and one day harvest a little wild honey from it for my family."

May Philpott reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"This course really enhances your knowledge and gives you a broader perspective on WHY natural beeping should be a consideration for beekeepers. The presentations were well thought through and the presenters used data from sources that are reliable. On reflection had I attended this course before becoming a beekeeper many mistakes could have been avoided. Upon returning from the course I completely changed my approach to what I was doing and this gives me confidence in taking a natural and sustainable approach to beekeeping in the future."

Karl Wills reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"A useful and informative course at a very nice location. Like many others I had been shown the modern (industrial) way of keeping bees, which felt at odds with my ethics regarding animal welfare. The sustainable bee keeping course provided the information to show that keeping bees could be done in a way sympathetic to the bees. The instructors each had their own views and this helped to create an overall balanced programme."

Brian Watson reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"Being new to bee keeping, I thought a course would be the best place to start. Choosing a course was a challenge due to so many available. This course stood out based on the sustainability side of things. It did not disappoint, the course was really informative in all areas. Nothing was mandated, it was all fact based (backed up with scientific evidence) and really has made me stop and think about the importance of balance. The course location was excellent, as were all of the people who covered the subjects. Highly recommend this course if new to bee keeping or very experienced - plenty to think about and learn from."

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

"Brilliant course, really enjoyed the day. Very friendly welcome and lovely snacks and hot drinks provided throughout the day. The tutor was very good and explained the history and process of skep making very clearly. He came round the group through the day giving everyone extra help and advice. You then get to take it all away to finish. Lunch was delicious!"

Gary McKillion reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"My family bought me a place on the Sustainable Bee-keeping Weekend course in April 2018. I found the course really inspiring, not only in Bee-keeping but in my understanding of the natural world. The course facilitators were absolutely wonderful, so passionate, knowledgeable and friendly. The presentations were excellent and gave an in-depth guide into the world of bees, from the bee's minute perspective to environmental, economic and geopolitical factors and everything in between! The practical demonstrations with bees, hives, products and hive-making were very good. The opening of hives is weather dependent due to the harm this can do to the bees, thankfully the conditions were just about ok for our group. Our course was held at Ragman's Lane farm which is a wonderful venue with many lovely B&Bs and Inns nearby. The food provided was plentiful and delicious, I've taken a couple of the recipes to enjoy at home. I would highly recommend this course if you are currently bee-keeping or have an interest in doing so. Some of the attendees had been bee-keeping for several years but still found the course to be very eye-opening. I left the course feeling confident that I could successfully keep bees. Thanks so much to Nicola, Janet, Monica, Ingo and Donna."

Selwyn Runnett reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"This is the second course I have attended where Dr Sharashkin was the Speaker and Trainer. Again, it was excellent. I started keeping some of my honey bees in horizontal hives last year. So this Course enabled me to learn some of the more detailed points of the techniques involved, whilst also providing a refresher on the overall principles. Dr Sharashkin's detailed practical and scientific knowledge is superb. I came away with a comprehensive list of improvements that I will be making to how I manage my bees both in horizontal hives and in conventional vertical hives. The techniques taught on the Course are the foundation stones for ethical and sustainable beekeeping for the future. I would recommend this Course to anyone who questions conventional beekeeping techniques and wants to learn about alternative bee-centred alternatives."

Susan King reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"The weekend course with Dr Leo was a superb lesson in how to live with bees in a sustainable and mutually beneficial way. I had read 'Keeping bees with a smile' and was very interested in the deep frames in the Lazutin hives, and this workshop showed how deep frames are the most logical and bee friendly way to keep bees and give them the best chance for overwintering in our climate. It was good to spend time with others who want to move away from the industrialised methods of bee keeping with the high number of interventions required, and move towards the bee-centric way. I would reccommend this course to anyone interested in bees as well as beekeeping, and thank Bees for Development for putting on this weekend, and providing a tasty and satisfying lunch each day. And as a bonus, Dr Leo's honey is absolutely delicious!"

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

"A comprehensive course expertly presented by a charismatic speaker. It gave me confidence to alter my beekeeping practice, and explain why, to those who prefer the industrial methods of beekeeping."

Heinz Hellerer reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"It was an excellent course. My main interest is keeping bees without treatment and here my main questions to Leo Sharashkin have been answered. Leo Sharashkin gave an entertaining and high coherent presentation which was easy to follow even if your mothertongue is not English. The presentation will change my building of beehives and methods of beekeeping. I highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in alternative and sustainable beekeeping."

peter lead reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"Dr Sharashkin is inspiring. He demonstrates very clearly how bees can be hived with their interests at the forefront yet still being able to share with them their honey. The deep frame hive is so logical when understanding the overwintering behaviour of the bee that it begs the question why is it not more common practice. I will be promoting this style of beekeeping from now. Excellent! And thanks to Nicola and her team Bees for Development."

Sheila Fellows-Turnbull reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"Incredibly thought-provoking course, Dr Sharashkin made us realise that sustainable beekeeping is very ‘do-able’, we don’t have to keep fiddling with our bees to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. I would recommend him and this course to anyone seeking a natural approach to keeping and helping bees. I would also commend Bees for Development for not only arranging this course, but also for their work in developing countries assisting people to enhance their lives through sustainable beekeeping"

Clive Roe reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"A well-run, highly informative weekend course, set in a very pleasant location. The enthusiastic tutors managed to put over a wealth of information in a highly digestible way...and the food was great!"

Jon Arrenberg reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"This was an excellent course which was eye opening, thought provoking, very well delivered and enjoyable. I have been keeping bees for about 4 years and I wish that I had attended the course before starting. I have been a conventional beekeeper and increasingly concerned about the sustainability of what I was doing and the course has shown me a much better way of operating. It will certainly lead to a change in the way I am going to keep bees from now on and I have already started on the construction of two top bar hives after sending back a couple of Nationals that I had just bought from Thornes. A big thank you to all involved. Wonderful food."

Hannah Sheppard reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"A fantastic immersive weekend learning about bees, their society and what they need from nature to continue pollinating a third of the world's food. The five tutors presented an incredible bank of knowledge and insight and even taught us how to build our own hive. I have left the course enthused to learn more and already making a plan about how and where to keep bees, and also how to advocate for bees to my local council, county council, fellow gardeners and neighbours. It became apparent through the course how different the sustainable approach to beekeeping is vis-a-vis other more interventionist approaches, and how modern farming methods can be so destructive. So, thank you Bees for Development; I am glad to have started my journey with bees, with you."

Jo Egglestone reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"A wonderful course with every opportunity to ask questions. I have come away from it with a plan on where to start with keeping bees, and even how to make the hive I want. Brilliant course I fully recommend."

Clive Russell reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"As a complete novice with regard to anything concerning bees, I found the relaxed yet highly informative atmosphere, generated by all of the speakers, exceptionally good and perfectly conducive to an ideal learning experience. The messages were clear and concise. Clearly the need for sustainable bee keeping needs to be spread throughout the bee keeping fraternity. I personally will be following the BfD way and have already recommended the course to friends and neighbours. Finally, a huge thank you to Donna for an excellent lunch on both days. Keep up the good work. Clive"

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

"A very enjoyable introduction to weaving a willow skep. Sound instructions were given with a nice balance of support and experiential learning was maintained throughout the course. Would recommend to any one interested in learning about these more traditional methods."

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

"I really enjoyed the day. The pace of the day was good, plenty of coffee/biscuits, and lovely food in the Yew Tree Inn for lunch. All the participants were friendly and encouraging. Chris was very helpful and supportive, giving plenty of advice, and “nudging” my work back into shape on several occasions! I was very pleased to leave with a skep - maybe not perfectly circular, but nonetheless a perfect home for bees, serendipitously about 40 litres in volume. We were given the option between two types of skep - given the option again, as a novice, I think I would choose to make the simpler design out of the two offered, to end up with a better quality finish. I hope to utilise the skills learned on the day in the future."

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

"I attended the skep making course with my daughter and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Chris skilfully took us through the steps to the end, helping us produce 2 beautiful skeps. It was a lovely workshop with delicious food in a lovely place and good company."