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IESBKA Teaching Apiary

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IESBKA Teaching Apiary

Wherstead Park Training Apiary

 

Welcome to our dedicated Teaching Apiary—a hands-on environment designed to build confidence and excellence in beekeeping. Whether you are a new starter or a seasoned keeper looking to refine your technique, our sessions provide a supportive space to learn among peers.

What to Expect

Our programme runs every Sunday from April 26th through August 9th (weather permitting). Each session focuses on a specific study topic, ensuring a comprehensive look at the beekeeping calendar.

The primary aim of the apiary is to help members brush up on their practical skills. We place a strong emphasis on preparing members for the BBKA Basic Assessment, covering everything from colony health checks to swarm management.

Who Can Attend?

The Teaching Apiary is open to all members of the Ipswich & East Suffolk branch. It is a fantastic opportunity to get "hands-on" with the bees under the guidance of experienced mentors.

Location & Schedule

  • When: Sundays, April 26th – August 9th
  • Time: 14:00 - 16:00  
  • Where: The Ipswich & East Suffolk BKA - Teaching Apiary at Wherstead Park IP9 2BJ
Apiary Directions

 

Join a Session

To ensure we have the right ratio of mentors to students, we ask all members to book their spot in advance.

Note: Please remember to bring your clean beesuit and footwear. If you need to borrow equipment, please let us know via the sign-up form.

Date Subject Details Sign-up Sheet
31 May 2026 - 14:00 - 16:00 Wk 6 - Flora to hive

Learn about the local flora from which honey bees gather pollen and nectar. What is nectar? How is it collected, brought back to the hive, and is converted into honey? Learn about the importance of Pollen, water and propolis.

Session Lead: Paul C

Sign-up
7 Jun 2026 - 14:00 - 16:00 Wk 7 - Nosema

Learn how to check a colony for Nosema (fungus) and understand the effect upon the colony if present.

Session Lead: Jeremy Q

Sign-up
13 Jun 2026 - 09:00 - 16:30 Bee Safari

Our Annual Bee Safari is a great day. We visit the apiaries of members of the association, in a different area each year. It is really interesting to see how others are set up and the locations they are using. We have our National Bee Unit inspectors with us and they will lead and inspect all the colonies and point out instances of pests and diseases as we go. 

You will need to bring a packed lunch and water, but we will be meeting in a building where there are toilets and water

Sorry… This form is closed to new submissions.
21 Jun 2026 - 14:00 - 16:00 Wk 8 - Requeening

Learn a method of queen introduction, how to unite colonies and what precautions should be taken.

Session Lead: Nicola

Sign-up
28 Jun 2026 - 14:00 - 16:00 Wk 9 - Supers

Why and when to add supers. The dangers of robbing and how to avoid it. Learn how to clear honey bees from supers.

Session Lead: Richard

Sign-up
5 Jul 2026 - 14:00 - 16:00 Wk 10 - Extraction

Extracting honey from combs, straining and bottling of honey suitable for a small-scale beekeeper.

Session Lead: Paul W

Sign-up
12 Jul 2026 - 14:00 - 16:00 Wk 11 - Queen Rearing

Various methods of queen rearing.  Using Apideas and/or Nucs for colony development.

Session Lead: Sam

Sign-up
19 Jul 2026 - 14:00 - 16:00 Wk 12 - Pest control

Learn how comb can be stored to prevent wax moth damage and how mice, green woodpeckers and other pests can be excluded from the hives in winter.

Session Lead: Helen

Sign-up
2 Aug 2026 - 14:00 - 16:00 Wk 13 - Varroa Destructor

Learn the various controls for varroa, the types of treatment available and how to apply before closing for winter.

Session Lead: Sal Thurlow

Sign-up
9 Aug 2026 - 14:00 - 16:00 Wk 14 - Winter prep

The way in which the honey bee colony pass through the winter period. Learn how to prepare sugar syrup and how and when to feed bees.

Session Lead: Phil

Sign-up

Apiary Schedule

Wk 6 - Flora to hive

31 May 2026 - 14:00 - 31 May 2026 - 16:00

Learn about the local flora from which honey bees gather pollen and nectar. What is nectar? How is it collected, brought back to the hive, and is converted into honey? Learn about the importance of Pollen, water and propolis.

Session Lead: Paul C


Wk 7 - Nosema

7 Jun 2026 - 14:00 - 7 Jun 2026 - 16:00

Learn how to check a colony for Nosema (fungus) and understand the effect upon the colony if present.

Session Lead: Jeremy Q


Bee Safari

13 Jun 2026 - 09:00 - 13 Jun 2026 - 16:30

Our Annual Bee Safari is a great day. We visit the apiaries of members of the association, in a different area each year. It is really interesting to see how others are set up and the locations they are using. We have our National Bee Unit inspectors with us and they will lead and inspect all the colonies and point out instances of pests and diseases as we go. 

You will need to bring a packed lunch and water, but we will be meeting in a building where there are toilets and water


Wk 8 - Requeening

21 Jun 2026 - 14:00 - 21 Jun 2026 - 16:00

Learn a method of queen introduction, how to unite colonies and what precautions should be taken.

Session Lead: Nicola


Wk 9 - Supers

28 Jun 2026 - 14:00 - 28 Jun 2026 - 16:00

Why and when to add supers. The dangers of robbing and how to avoid it. Learn how to clear honey bees from supers.

Session Lead: Richard


Wk 10 - Extraction

5 Jul 2026 - 14:00 - 5 Jul 2026 - 16:00

Extracting honey from combs, straining and bottling of honey suitable for a small-scale beekeeper.

Session Lead: Paul W


Wk 11 - Queen Rearing

12 Jul 2026 - 14:00 - 12 Jul 2026 - 16:00

Various methods of queen rearing.  Using Apideas and/or Nucs for colony development.

Session Lead: Sam


Wk 12 - Pest control

19 Jul 2026 - 14:00 - 19 Jul 2026 - 16:00

Learn how comb can be stored to prevent wax moth damage and how mice, green woodpeckers and other pests can be excluded from the hives in winter.

Session Lead: Helen


Wk 13 - Varroa Destructor

2 Aug 2026 - 14:00 - 2 Aug 2026 - 16:00

Learn the various controls for varroa, the types of treatment available and how to apply before closing for winter.

Session Lead: Sal Thurlow


Wk 14 - Winter prep

9 Aug 2026 - 14:00 - 9 Aug 2026 - 16:00

The way in which the honey bee colony pass through the winter period. Learn how to prepare sugar syrup and how and when to feed bees.

Session Lead: Phil


See full schedule

Events

Ask a Beekeeper Zoom Call with Ipswich and East Suffolk Beekeepers

2 Jun 2026 - 19:30 - 2 Jun 2026 - 20:30
Branch:
Ipswich & East Suffolk

Ipswich and East Suffolk Bee Safari - open to Suffolk members, not just Ipswich

13 Jun 2026 - 09:00 - 13 Jun 2026 - 12:30
Branch:
Suffolk

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