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Welcome

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 every month 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!

Programme of Events

Winter Lecture Programme and Beginners' Courses

Andover BKA Lectures and Beginners' Course will be held at Picket Piece Village Hall, Walworth Road, Andover SP11 6LY starting at 7:30pm prompt

Anyone who would like 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

Summer Apiary Meetings 2017

Saturday 17th June at 2:00pm
Hosted by Alan Telfer
Venue - Shipton Bellinger - meet at the Village Hall

Saturday 8th July at 2:00pm
Hosted by Jim Stuart and Charles Eyre
Venue - Upper Clatford - meet at the top end of the Village Hall car park

Sunday 20th August at 12:30pm
Cowdown Association Apiary
Directions TBC

Good Beekeeping – Responsibilities, Hygiene and Standards of Cleanliness
Clothing and hygiene standards – what is important if you are visiting another apiary - Please ensure that your beesuit is clean and in particular clean gloves are worn
Cleaning of hive tools and equipment - All hive tools and equipment taken onto an apiary site should be cleaned before each visit

Beginers Course Dates and Content for Winter 2016/17

To be held at Picket Piece Village Hall at 7:30pm

Tuesday 29th November - Begginers 1 - Admin/Intro

Tuesday 13th December - Beginners 2 - Natural History

Tuesday 17th January - Begginers 3 - Equipment and Forage

Tuesday 24th January - Beginners 4 - Colony Management

Tuesday 21st February - Beginners 5 - Natural Beekeeping

Tuesday 28th February - Beginners 6 - Swarms, Queens and Mating Flights

Tuesday 14th March - Beginners 7 - Beekeeping Year

Tuesday 21st March - Begginers 8 - Diseases and Colony Health

Tuesday 25th April - Beginners 9 - Practical Session

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.