Beekeeping Taster Day
Overview
This event is in the process of being postponed. If you were interested in booking, please add yourself to the waiting list and we will let you know once a new date has been arranged.
For anyone interested in learning about bees and what keeping them involves, this taster course is the perfect way to discover more about bees. The course is taught by Sam Walker and Valli Cawte. The course runs from 9.45am with an approximate finish of 4pm (it may overrun a little), with a half-hour break for lunch.
The practical element of the course (‘hands-on with bees’) will take place at Martineau Gardens, part of the day will take place indoors, with a classroom session next door at the Edgbaston Priory Club, which is approximately 5 minutes walk.
Please note that this is not a Spice exclusive event.
Course Aim
Honeybees need your help. The course will take you through various stages including:
The difference between the three most common striped stinging insects
What does it cost
Beekeeping organisations, insurance
Equipment- to buy or assemble your own
Types of hive
Siting hives
Tools
Clothing
The bee colony
Life cycle
Role of the beekeeper
What bees make
Pests
How to obtain bees
Swarms
Honey
Honey shows
LIVE BEE DEMO – with live bees! (weather permitting)
About your tutors
Samantha Walker is our volunteer beekeeper and Vice President of Birmingham and District Beekeepers Association (B&DBKA). Interested and inspired by all things related to nature, Sam became interested in honey bees in 2013 and joined B&DBKA. Sam rapidly became a mentor to other beekeepers and has been teaching beekeeping courses for the last four years.
Valli Cawte has been a member of Solihull British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) since 2015. She has prepared, assisted and presented live bee displays for the BBKA at Blenheim Palace for Country File Live, and Chatsworth for The RHS Chatsworth Flower Show over several years. Valli also uses computer skills and graphics to design honey bee images for fabrics, labels, displays, and anything bee related.
Includes
- A full day course on all things bee keeping. All protective clothing is provided.
- A small admin fee
- A warm welcome from your Spice Volunteer Coordinator
Location & Itinerary
You will need to bring a packed lunch since there is no cafe (no bananas! – all will be explained on the course), but hot and cold drinks are provided.
Martineau Gardens is a beautiful therapeutic community garden and a charity, located two miles from Birmingham City Centre.
Located opposite the Priory Hospital, and 5 minutes from the Midlands Arts Centre (the MAC) and Warwickshire County Cricket Ground
By road
On the B4217 (Priory Road), 2 miles from Birmingham City Centre. Sat Nav B5 7UG. There is a small carpark.
Due to the A38 Blue Cycle Route (Bristol Road) opened in 2019, there have been some changes to motor vehicle access to Martineau Gardens, from the Bristol Road (A38), all other routes and bus services are unaffected. A38 From city: cars turn right at Wellington Road and follow signs to Priory Hospital; A38 From Selly Oak: cars turn right at Pebble Mill Road, Left at Pershore and left at the Pershore /Priory Junction and follow signs to Priory Hospital.
For detailed plans, please view Birmingham City Council’s plans: here: www.birminghambeheard.org.uk
Please choose the green option! Travel by boot, bus or bike recommended.
By bike
Cyclists welcomed. Martineau Gardens is well connected to bike routes, and just two minutes ride from the A38 Blue Cycle Route (Bristol Road). There is a covered bike hut available – on entry to the Gardens car park, dismount and push your bike down to the hut located opposite our Reception building. For more information and inspiration on cycling to Martineau Gardens, click here.
By bus
Martineau Gardens is well served by buses. The nearest bus routes are Priory Road: 1; Bristol Road: 61, 63, 1A ; Pershore Road: 45, 47. To plan your journey by public transport, visitwww.traveline.info and use Martineau Gardens’ postcode, B5 7UG.
By train
The nearest train stations are Five Ways Station (then a 15 minute walk or bus journey) or New Street Station, with a 15 minute bus journey to the Gardens.
Host & Everything Else
Gallery
