Bee Keeping Course Sat 21 May at Martineau Gardens

A Beekeeping course on Saturday 21 May at Martineau Gardens is aiming to encourage people to find out more about bees and take up the craft of beekeeping. The British Bee Keepers Association (BBKA) claims that ‘one in three mouthfuls of the food we eat is dependent on pollination’. By encouraging people to find out more about bees through this course, Martineau Gardens hopes to raise awareness of bees needs.
The course is a taster – some of the things that would-be beekeepers will be able to find out includes the difference in lifestyles between bees and wasps; how the hive is affected by human input and what happens inside; what a bee colony is and even sample some honey in a tasting session. All participants get to don a bee keepers suit and have a close-up encounter with the bees, examining bee hives at close quarters. The course takes place in the beautiful surroundings of the organically maintained community garden, Martineau Gardens, in Edgbaston, and is led by John Gale, Martineau Garden’s Beekeeper and a member of the BBKA.
Course tutor, John Gale is also Birmingham’s honey bee swarm coordinator. When a swarm of honey bees are reported, he collects them safely and takes them to a beekeeper and hive. John says:
“The course is a chance to find out more about this ancient craft and decide if it is for you. By spreading the word about what bees need, this a small step towards helping bee colonies to survive.”
The course runs from 10am until 5pm, cost is £50 and must be booked in advance.
More details are available by clicking here or calling 0121 440 7430. The Gardens are at 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7UG. Located five minutes from the MAC and opposite the Priory Hospital.

Posted on 17th May 2016