Welcome to the Andover and District Beekeepers Association (ABKA) website.
ABKA is a thriving association of amateur beekeepers looking after the interests of existing members and newcomers to beekeeping in the Andover area (Map of Andover and District territory).
We are one of the many associations that make up the larger body of the British Beekeepers Association (www.bbka.org.uk) and our association is one of the many that make up the Hampshire Beekeepers Association (www.beetalk.org.uk)
We meet regularly to exchange information and keep abreast of issues relating to beekeeping as well as simply to socialise. Topics we cover include bee health, beekeeping techniques and theories, bee products, advice and access to BBKA training modules as well as practical apiary visits.
We look forward to meeting you or helping with your enquiry as an Andover resident, with an interest in bees!
Whilst COVID-19 is still with us we will continue to follow current guidllines
Winter Lecture Programme and Beginners' Courses
Andover BKA Winter Meetings and Beginners' Course will be held at Picket Piece Village Hall, Walworth Road, Andover SP11 6LY starting at 7:30pm prompt. Anyone who would ike to learn more about beekeeping is most welcome to attend, but please contact the membership secretary beforehand if possible - details can be found on the Contacts page
Association Winter Meetings 2022
Date Presenter/Event Subject
Tues 1st February Talk TBC
Tues 1st March Talk TBC
Practical Beekeeping Training at Cowdown Apiary 2022 - Saturdays 10.00 until 12.00 noon
Cowdown will not be open for training purposes until the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted
Monthly Diary Guide -
Introduction and Preparation - TBA
Hands in hive - TBA
Hands in hive - TBA
Main honey flow – super management - TBA
Assessing bee temperament - TBA
Uniting colonies - TBA
Preparing for Winter - TBA
See Side Menu for Directions to Cowdown and details of Activities
Any meeting cancellations will be notified on this page
Apiary meetings 2022
We plan to give beginners hands-on experience at Cowdown on Saturday mornings during the Summer and have afternoon gatherings at some members’ apiaries in May, June, and July. Details will be published nearer the time.
Beginners Course Dates and Content starting in January 2022
Bee Keeping Introductory Training
Are you interested in taking up beekeeping as a hobby, working with honey bees or just for the sake of environmental study? If so, then this is your opportunity to join with us Andover Bee Keepers in their forthcoming Introductory Course for bee keepers due to start in January – next year 2022.
Using Zoom as the method of presenting the training over seven one hour sessions (Tuesday evenings between the 11th January through to the end of March) you will be taken through basic steps which can lead to practical learning at our Cowdown apiary under the guidance of experienced bee keepers.
Open to all ages without any necessary experience and certainly no test! we can enrol you onto the course for just £30.00 which will include the text book appropriate for the course.
An ideal, different Christmas present. For further information and details of dates please look at our website http://www.andoverbka.org.uk and contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Date Subject
Tuesday 11th Jan - Beekeeping and natural history - Jim Stuart
Tuesday 18th Jan - Equipment and forage - Mike Barrie
Tuesday 25th Jan - The beekeeping year - Jolyon Pope
Tuesday 8th Feb - Colony Management - Jim Stuart
Tuesday 15th Feb - Disease and colony health - Jim Stuart
Tuesday 89th Mar - Swarms,queens and mating flights - Mike Barrie
Tuesday 15th Mar - Natural Beekeeping - Mic Laird
Tuesday 29th Mar - Practical session - this will be held in Picket Piece Village Hall
Summer: - Summer training at Cowdown Apiary site - Mike Barrie and team
PLANNED CONTENT:
History and natural history of the honey bee
Equipment used in beekeeping, and Forage
Invertebrates generally; placing the honey bee into context
Colony management, inspections, neighbours and apiaries
Diseases, pests and problems
Queen bees, the management of swarms, managing apiaries
The beekeeping year including, honey processing -- extracting, filtering, storing, and eating your first jar!
Winter work and putting kit together
REQUIREMENTS. Notebook and pencil.
COST £30 - we will provide you with the latest beekeeping book for homework. Please do not buy anything yet as there is a lot of unnecessary and useless stuff out there waiting for the unwary.
Mic Laird - January 2022
