Wisborough Green Beekeepers Association

a Division of West Sussex Beekeepers Association


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Introduction to Beekeeping one-day course

Our “Introduction to Beekeeping” day will be held on Saturday March 9th, 2024, at Rudgwick Village Hall. Download the flyer below.

Beekeeping and the management of bees varies depending on climate and conditions. This course has been tailored to suit the south of England, where others are more general.

If you are unable to attend, there is the same basic course online, modified to suit all areas on the BIBBA eLearning site . It costs less, but it isn’t in person, there is no lunch, you can’t see the items of equipment and you can’t ask questions of the tutor or beekeepers.

There is also a free video Beekeeping: What’s it all About? that gives the absolute basics. This is worth viewing, whether you attend the WGBKA or online course. These are both hosted by the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association (BIBBA).


Download flyer for 2024   here.

To book click   here.

Wisborough Green BKA has an enviable reputation for providing good sound tuition at all levels of beekeeping. We concentrate on the "basics" which allows beekeepers to quickly become competent with enough knowledge to care for their bees and understand any problems that might arise.

Our Introduction to Beekeeping Day is a well established annual event that has given a large number of people the information they need to start beekeeping. Experience has shown that a lot of people are interested in keeping bees but aren't sure what is involved. This event gives them enough information before making any investment that might prove to be inappropriate or unsuitable.

Attendees come from a wide area, many by recommendation from those who have attended in previous years. We are happy to introduce potential beekeepers wherever they come from to a wonderful hobby and will help those from outside our area to contact their local Beekeepers Association (BKA). We have a list of surrounding BKAs at the event. For those who are close to two or more we always suggest visiting them all before a deciding which one to join.

The programme draws on over 60 years experience of a practical beekeeper and is delivered by experienced presenters in four sections during the day. It is not simply repeating what is read from books. There is ample time for refreshments and lunch, during which there will be other beekeepers available to answer questions on a casual and friendly basis. We have had a lot of good feedback on the friendly nature of the event and the quality of content.

We don't recommend buying any equipment or bees before having some training and handling a colony of bees on several occasions. There are many who have initial enthusiasm, then give up for various reasons, the most common being they don't realise the commitment required or they don't like being stung. For that reason we have free "Preliminary Sessions" where we give instruction at our well-equipped teaching apiary without obligation. This can save a lot of time and expense as well as avoiding bees being abandoned. See "Tuition" and "New Members" for details.


We retain details of past events for information purposes.

Details of the next Introduction to Beekeeping Day will be displayed when arranged

For queries please email Email honeybee@wgbka.org.uk