Shropshire Beekeepers’ Association runs various courses throughout the year, teaching the theory and practical skills required to successfully manage your own colonies.
Beekeeping involves a significant investment in time and money, especially when starting out. For that reason, it is recommended that you start by doing the Taster Day to gauge whether beekeeping is for you. If it is, the next stage is to embark upon a Beginners Course.
Taster Day
Saturday September 13 2025 from 9.00am to 4.00pm.
Fee – £100 per person
The annual Shropshire Beekeeping Association Taster Day is a great way of finding out if beekeeping is for you. Over the course of the day, you’ll get an overview of the theory of beekeeping and also the chance to handle the bees under the supervision of our experienced members. Lunch is included in the course fee. If you would like to book, please use the link below.
Skep making course
Friday 7th November 10:00 – 17:00 Cost £90.00
Chris Park will be running the course for us. Chris runs the skep making courses at the BBKA Spring Convention and works with the charity Bees for Development, teaching skep making, mead making and skep-beekeeping.
The day will involve practical instruction on how to make a skep. Participants should be able to make about 1/3 of a skep and take away all the materials and tools and know-how to finish it off at home.
Participants will need to bring a pair of scissors, a bucket or basin for water and a waterproof apron or a pair of waterproof trousers. It will be for a maximum of 10 participants. To book your place use the button below
Beginners courses
Our Beginners courses are now finished for 2025. We will be running courses next year, and dates will be posted on the website in the autumn.
Mentoring
Once you have completed a course, we offer help with mentoring for course graduates. This will help you to get encouragement and expertise from experienced beekeepers.
As part of your Shropshire Bees membership, you are encouraged to join our members who manage the bees in our apiary. This is a great opportunity to gain experience of working with different bees and different beekeepers.
Members learning
We offer opportunities for our members to undertake further learning
BBKA Basic Assessment
Once again in 2026 we will be offering a course for candidates to prepare for the BBKA Basic Assessment. We encourage all members to do the BBKA Basic Assessment which demonstrates you have attained a general proficiency in beekeeping.
To be eligible to take the assessment you must have managed at least one colony of bees for a minimum of 12 months so this particularly appropriate for members who have taken the Beginners Course or have started beekeeping independently in the last two years. The course is effectively a refresher.
Taking an assessment may be a bit daunting until you realise that it is the basic things which all beekeepers should know,
The course will be spread across four sessions covering the four elements of the assessment:
- Manipulation and Equipment. Practical Assessment of the Candidate’s ability to handle bees and beekeeping equipment and the ability to interpret what is observed.
- Oral questioning and Assessment of the Candidate’s knowledge of Natural History and Beekeeping.
- Oral questioning on Swarming, Swarm Control, and effects.
- Oral questioning on Diseases and Pests.
The assessment will be undertaken by an independent examiner. To pass the assessment candidates must achieve the 50% pass mark in all four parts individually.
There is no cost for the course as we believe that it is an essential element of commitment to our members being proficient beekeepers, however, there is a £40 examination fee.
Details will be posted here when it is available to book.
Tutored study group for BBKA Modules
We offer support for those wishing to take the BBKA Modules. The courses are a mix of presentations, group exercises, and discussion covering the syllabus and relating to exam questions. Details of available courses are circulated to members.
Module 5: Honey Bee Biology Training Course
This course is intended to prepare delegates to take the BBKA Module 5 exam in November 2025. However, anyone wishing to learn about the internal workings of the honey bee are welcome. The course will cover Module 5: Honey Bee Biology Training Course.
The course will be held on Wednesday Evenings 18:30 – 20:00 on 20 August, 3 or 24 September, and 1, 15 & 29 October.
A fee of £50 will be charged to cover books and materials. If you would like to book, please the link below.
Refund Policy
Cancellations made 30 days or more before the event will be eligible for a full refund.
Cancellations made less than 30 days before the event will be eligible for a full refund on condition that we are able to resell the place
Privacy and GDPR Policies
We take your privacy seriously and have implemented policies and measures in accordance with GDPR guidance. Please click on this link to see our [Privacy Notice]. If you would like a copy of our GDPR policy please email contact@shropshirebees.co.uk.