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!
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 2019/20
Tuesday 1st Oct - AGM followed by a short talk - presenter tbc
Tuesday 5th Nov - presenter Ged Marshall - A year in the life of a commercial beekeeper
Tuesday 3rd Dec - Honey Show and Quiz - show judge Michele Henman
Tuesday 7th Jan - presenter James Donaldson - Wings, Stings and other things.
Tuesday 4th Feb - Arboriculturist - Wither trees in the UK
Tuesday 3rd Mar - presenter Dan Etheridge, SBI - Matters terrifying and just around the corner – “Small Hive Beetle, the end of British beekeeping?”
Apiary meetings 2020
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 sent nearer the time.
Beginers Course Dates and Content for Winter 2019/20
To be held at Picket Piece Village Hall at 7:30pm
Date Subject
Tuesday 19th Nov - Introduction and administration
Tuesday 10th Dec - Natural History of the honey bee
Tuesday 14th Jan - Equipment and forage
Tuesday 28th Jan - Colony management
Tuesday 11th Feb - Diseases and colony health
Tuesday 18th Feb - Swarms, queens and mating flights
Tuesday 10th Mar - Natural beekeeping - introduction
Tuesday 17th Mar - Beekeeping year
Tuesday 31st Mar - Practical
Summer: Association Apiary meetings, and work with mentors to prepare you for keeping bees when you are ready to do so.
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 £60 - we will buy you the latest beekeeping book for homework plus a hive tool. Please do not buy anything yet as there is a lot of unnecessary and useless stuff out there waiting for the unwary.
