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

Winter Meetings 2017/18

Tuesday 3rd October

Association Honey Show

Tuesday 7th November

Lecturer: Bridgit Strawbridge

Subject: Bumble and Solitarty Bees - Life Cycle and Behaviour

Tuesday 5th December

Association AGM and introduction to new Bee Inspector

Tuesday 9th January

Lecturer: Brian Durk

Subject: Bees and Elephants

Tuesday 6th February

Lecturer: Robert Smith

Subject: Pollen, Super Food for Honey Bees

Tuesday 6th March

Lecturer: TBC

Subject: TBC

Tuesday 3rd April

Question and Answer session with invited panel

Beginers Course Dates and Content for Winter 2017/18

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

Tuesday 28th November - Begginers 1

Tuesday 12th December - Beginners 2

Tuesday 16th January - Begginers 3

Tuesday 23rd January - Beginners 4

Tuesday 13th February - Beginners 5

Tuesday 20th February - Beginners 6

Tuesday 13th March - Beginners 7

Tuesday 20th March - Begginers 8

Tuesday 27th March - Beginners 9

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.