Bees for Development reviews

8 Feb 18'

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

"Really enjoyed the course, instructions were easy to follow and there was a lot of freedom over the shape of our skeps. It was great to be able to take away the tools and materials needed to finish the skep at home. We were well supplied with hot drinks and biscuits and lunch was excellent. For anyone booking the course, don't go with the expectation of finishing the whole skep on the day!"

8 Feb 18'

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

"Very clear directions to the event and to the room on site. Met with hot drink and friendly chat which always starts the day right. Materials, tool all supplied, but straight in to preparing your straw in a group circle, so you could see the beginnings of the method of the skep. The day was followed with chat and presentation on straw, bees, and may other interesting subjects. I came away with the skills, knowledge to continue development of my skep. The Event was well organised with the right number of people.I would recommend this course."

30 Jan 18'

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

"I really enjoyed the course. Lots of good tuition to get you started and making your skep. All the materials were provided in abundance as well as a specialist tool called a fid. These were for us to take away so that we could complete our skep at home. I now have a nearly completed swarm catching skep ready for the swarming season. I also intend making a couple of skeps to keep bees in. Good food and refreshments too and a lovely relaxed atmosphere made this a very enjoyable and productive day. Many thanks to BfD and Nick."

14 Nov 17'

John Fowler reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"Having already read "Keeping Bees with a Smile" and "Keeping Bees in Horizontal Hives" it was a no-brainer when I learned that Leo Sharashkin would be giving this course in the UK in November. The course lived up to all my expectations and his explanations of techniques for sustainable beekeeping were clear and thought provoking. In particular his treatment free approach will be my mission for 2018 with my colonies. If this course is repeated in the future it would be beneficial to hold it in the active beekeeping season so practical session(s) in the Apiary could be used to reinforce the subject matter. I would recommend this course whole-heartedly to any beekeeper with an open mind."

14 Nov 17'

Chris White reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"Excellent presentation by Leo Sharashkin. He gave time for people to ask questions and take notes which was needed due to the amount of information provided. I will certainly be applying as many of the sustainable methods he suggested as I can."

13 Nov 17'

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

"Dr Sharashkin was excellent. It was one of the best courses I have attended on honey bees. The content was comprehensive and covered all the key aspects of the subject. His presentational style was superb, making complex aspects of the subject areas comprehensible. He is clearly committed to taking beekeeping a sustainable path and he was certainly inspiring in what he had to say. It will certainly change my approach to bee-keeping. It was fantastic to be able to hear such a well regarded US-based advocate of sustainable beekeeping here in the UK. There was also plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion both during the formal sessions and also during the breaks. The course was well structured. I would recommend that anyone interested in treatment free beekeeping and keeping bees in horizontal hives should attend this course if it is repeated in the UK. My only reservations concern the venue for the course. Parking was difficult. The external area immediately around the training room was muddy. This together with a 'no shoes' rule within the training room and also in the separate building where the toilets were located, resulted in constant changes of footwear - a nuisance in the middle of November. However, in all other respects the venue was good."

2 Aug 17'

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

"Great rural setting for this traditional craft. Nicola (Bees for Development) and Chris Park (Instructor) really made you feel welcome. The course was brilliant, very hands on and Chris added so much with his knowledge of all things bee and stories to match. Excellent lunch, all in all a great way to learn about bees and skep making."

28 Jun 17'

Jeanne and John Rayment reviewed: Willow skep hive (Alveari) making - with Bees for Development

"We both thoroughly enjoyed the day. It was our first time working with willow but we found Chris was really helpful and obviously worked very hard at helping everyone. We also liked hearing about the history of skeps and bee keeping in the past. It has really opened a door for us in regards to learning more about natural bee keeping. I would definitely recommend this course for those wishing to have hands on experience in making something from the past but which they can use for their bees today."

19 May 17'

Rae Gervis reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"Beekeeping course attended a month ago was absolutely fantastic! All the tutors were passionate, incredibly generous with their knowledge and inspired me to order my first Warre hive after a couple of years of procrastination! The accommodation was fine, the food wonderful . Evening walks around Ragmans with other students were delightful & a great opportunity to share thoughts about the course. Would totally recommend the course . The highlight was observing a swarm choosing the Warre hive to move into when all other hives were on display."

28 Apr 17'

Debbie da Rosa reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"I would highly recommend this course, I had the most amazing weekend learning all about Bees and how to care for them. It was very informative and inspiring, offering good practical experience with the opportunity to open a hive and watch the bees at work, just amazing! The accommodation was good and the food excellent all set in the beautiful Wye Valley. I now feel confident enough to have a hive of my own. Huge thank you. :)"

27 Apr 17'

Steve Bergel reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"I attended the course to gain as much insight into bees and beekeeping, and now feel confident enough to proceed further. The enthusiasm of the course providers was infectious and the way they imparted their knowledge was so informal and relaxed that it wasn't difficult to retain it over a busy weekend. Enough detail is provided to give a good understanding of all the processes involved and I came away feeling that any problems that arise in the future can be managed with a degree of confidence and some recommended reading. Thoughly recommended, could not have been better."

26 Apr 17'

Matthew. reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"A very informative weekend, with a friendly group of people, in charming surroundings."

26 Apr 17'

Louise Jutsum reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"I echo what Helen has said. I found it particularly useful to think of a colony of bees as having many of the characteristics of a small mammal. Some of the images used to illustrate the talks were particularly arresting eg that of a bee sting showing the long line of the bee's insides and the drone mating with the queen. I have never seen a Warre hive up close before and the swarm made a very clear choice in its favour. Top bar hives have long been a mystery to me and now I know how to make one. I also very much enjoyed the company of the other course participants and interesting discussions continued into the evenings."

26 Apr 17'

Helen English reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"I found the course very informative and helpful. It gave me the confidence to review the way in which we'd been keeping our bees at our Community Farm up till now and to develop the skills to make what we are doing truly sustainable. It was also interesting to be able to look inside a Top Bar hive and to learn about bees in all their manifestations. We were very lucky to witness a swarm on the Sunday afternoon right outside where we were meeting!"

10 Apr 17'

D. Cheung reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"I'd not made a skep before and often wondered about their construction. I'm no expert but Chris Park is and having done the course in conjunction with Bees for Development, I feel confident about making straw skeps. During the day's tuition, some on a group basis; and some one-to-one as and when needed with helpful pointers from Chris. The course progresses from a bunch of people from various backgrounds and varied experience, some already beekeepers, some not. To an informal yet friendly group, all busy making skeps before the very tasty lunch, (suitable for veggies) and continuing to "feed the feeder" thereafter. Chris is very knowledgeable about all things skep and the history of beekeeping & honey harvesting. A very interesting man to spend time with and to learn from. An amiable soul with a quiet confidence and energy. Who is easy to be with and who'll make you feel at ease, before and during your day of skep making. I'd highly recommend a course tutored by Chris, even if you don't keep bees but especially if you do. And getting to spend time with a few of the very knowledgeable people of Bees for Development was the icing on the cake."

27 Feb 17'

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

"Chris gave an excellent course - thoroughly enjoyable and the time simply flew! The 'hands on' instructions and demonstrations were excellent, as was the guidance during the making of the skeps. The background and history to skep making was most interesting. All in all a very worthwhile course and I'd highly recommend it to anyone wishing to keep bees, especially in a sustainable way. Thanks to Chris and Bees for Development for making this possible."

27 Feb 17'

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

"I don't keep bees at the minute but would like to at some point in the future. In light of this I decided to make a traditional skep as they are beautiful objects, however I soon realised I needed expert advice! The course run by Chris Park was excellent because he not only gave us the basics but he also added more complex techniques in as the day progressed. Excellent individual help too if needed and good advice, ensuring we came away at the end of the day feeling able to finish what we'd started. Chris also gave us interesting facts on skep making and bee keeping, including a power point presentation. All materials were provided (which we could take away with us at the end of the day), tea and coffee throughout, a delicious lunch including home made cake! A great venue. I can recommend this course to anyone wishing to make their first skep and anyone wishing to improve on skills already acquired. I thoroughly enjoyed my day."

25 Feb 17'

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

"Not only did the course provide a rounded practical hands on approach to Skep making it also included Chris a Master Skep Maker and his boundless knowledge of all things "Bee". So even if my Skep was not shaping up to be the exactly what was intended there was plenty of advice and riveting commentary to absorb. A very motivational day."

24 Feb 17'

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

"I was keen to learn some of the skills involved for wider use as well as getting to make a skep. The day did not disappoint. Chris is a good teacher who gradually introduced additional techniques through the day and offered plenty of individual help if needed. As we were sent away with all the rest of the materials required the only thing now stopping me from completing my skep is another day or so of my time and I feel confident about doing this. Plenty of parking, good food too (including vegetarian). I enjoyed the day and the skills learned."

23 Feb 17'

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

"I had not made a skep before. Chris Park is an excellent teacher and everyone was able to master the basics. Tools and straw provided, ongoing help from Chris throughout the day. Chris is very knowledgable about skeps and beekeeping. He gave a comprehensive talk with PowerPoint slides which was very interesting. The venue was very good, including food and refreshments. Good company from fellow participants. I would unreservedly recommend this course to anyone wanting to make their first skep."

23 Feb 17'

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

"Throughly enjoyed the course. It was very well directed, lots of interesting information about the history of skeps and bee keeping. The lunch was good and I thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who keeps bees or has an interest in keeping bees."

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