ESBA Apiarist
Begin at the beginning
by
, 08-03-2012 at 01:58 AM (8013 Views)
Twenty seven beekeepers signed up for our beginners class in Dundee this year, 21 of them first-timers and 6 who were around last year. They're a fine bunch, as you can see from these pictures.
Week three and its artificial swarm time already. Now, which box goes where?
We are trying (trying, mind you) to keep the lessons light and lively. So on Tuesday we had four established beekeepers line up to show how *they* approach a hive inspection. Blow torch or disposable lighter? Full body armour or a jacket and veil thrown over? Motorcycle glove mittens or thin latex gloves for sensitivity? Crash the boxes down or usher the last bee out of the way? Here's Ron dressing up ...
and pretending to light a smoker ....
We usually reckon that about half or a bit more become beekeepers in the end - some stay as regulars at the association meetings and the others do their beekeeping quietly without much more contact. The life blood of the association, new people coming into the craft and new people keeping the association moving forward, guided by the wealth of experience locally.