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Andover and District Beekeepers Association

© Image from ADBKA

Beekeeping Introductory Training
2027

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Course at a glance

  • Starts: 12th January 2027 – Tuesday evenings from January through to the end of March
  • Where: Picket Piece Hall, Walworth Rd, Picket Piece, Andover SP11 6LY
  • Time: from 7.30pm (1930 hours); each session lasts approximately 90 minutes
  • Cost: £70.00 per person for the whole course, including all sessions and the course textbook. A second joint/partner place is £50.00 for the whole course, sharing the textbook.
  • Enrolment opens: November 2026
  • Bring: a notebook and pencil
  • Experience needed: none – the course is open to all ages, and there is no test
  • Then: from the beginning of April, subject to weather, hands-on practical sessions at the Andy Kingman (Cowdown) apiary

The next course will commence on 12th January 2027 with details and the opportunity to enrol available from November 2026. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Should you wish for further information, to join ADBKA or to be advised when opportunities for enrolment will be open then please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Beekeepers in white bee suits and veils gathered around open hives

The training over seven one-hour sessions (Tuesday evenings from January through to the end of March) will take you through basic steps.

This will lead to important practical experience learning at our Andy Kingman (Cowdown) apiary under the guidance of experienced beekeepers.

All theory sessions will be held in Picket Piece Hall, Walworth Rd, Picket Piece, Andover SP11 6LY from 1930 hours and will last for approximately 90 minutes each; a notebook and pencil are advisable.

12th January

Picket Piece Hall

Beekeeping and natural history

19th January

Picket Piece Hall

Equipment and forage

26th January

Picket Piece Hall

The beekeeping year

9th February

Picket Piece Hall

Colony management

16th February

Picket Piece Hall

Disease and colony health

23rd February

Picket Piece Hall

Swarms, queens and mating flights

9th March

Picket Piece Hall

Natural beekeeping

16th March

Picket Piece Hall

Practical evening

- Frame building

- Artificial Swarm

- Hive tools and more

- Practical equipment

- Useful aids and accessories

- Health and safety

April 2027 onwards

The Andy Kingman (Cowdown) apiary

Hands-on practical sessions

From the beginning of April, subject to weather, training moves to the Andy Kingman (Cowdown) apiary. Each beginner is given a working hive to manage and build up. The aim is to split the colony so that it can be moved to your own apiary the following spring. We encourage all beginners to take part, to build their skills under the guidance of experienced beekeepers.

The course is open to all ages. You don't need any experience, and there's no test.

Cost: £70.00 per person for the whole course, including all sessions and the course textbook. A second person (joint/partner) pays £50.00 for the whole course and shares the textbook.

Please don't buy any equipment yet. A lot of what's on sale isn't needed.

Course registration opens: November 2026

FURTHER DETAILS: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Andy Kingman (Cowdown) apiary