Welcome to the Andover and District Beekeepers Association (ADBKA) website.
ADBKA 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 (HBA)
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.
Bee Keeping Introductory – practical training - 2023
The Andy Kingman (Cowdown) apiary will be opn for training purposes dependent on the weather conditions and the availability of the site team. All other conditions remain as before with access gained from 1000 hours for two hours on Saturday mornings between the end of April and the end of September and at other times by prior agreed appointment with the apiary manager.
Please note that there are no toilet facilities on site and due to its open grassland, plain environment and at times high fire risk that smoking and naked flames other than to prime a smoker will be permitted and even then under strict control. All contact via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Monthly Diary Guide -
• Introduction and Preparation - 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 the Andy Kingman (Cowdown) and details of Activities Any meeting cancellations will be notified on this page
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 7:00pm. 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
Note: where Zoom is shown it will be a dual presentation with the hall also used.
Date Speaker Subject Presentation
5th December 2023 Jim Vivian-Griffiths The Dancing Bees Zoom
2nd January 2024 Keith Bartlem Flying with bees (bees/aeroplanes compared) Zoom
6th February 2024 David Evans DIY Beekeeping Zoom
5th March 2024 Andy Barnes-Willis Apiaries and Gardens Picket Piece Hall
Bee Keeping Introductory Training 2024
The next course will commence in January 2024 with details and the opportunity to enrol available from next October. Should you wish for further information, to join the Andover Association or to be advised when opportunities for enrolment will be open then please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The training over seven one-hour sessions (Tuesday evenings between January through to the end of March) will take you through basic steps which will lead to important practical experience learning at our Andy Kingman (Cowdown) apiary under the guidance of experienced bee keepers. All theory sessions will be held in the Picket Piece village hall from 1930 hours and will last for approximately one hour each; a notebook and pencil, advisable.
Date Topic Location
9th January Beekeeping and natural history Picket Piece Village Hall
6th January Equipment and forage Picket Piece Village Hall
23rd January The beekeeping year Picket Piece Village Hall
13th February Colony management Picket Piece Village Hall
20th February Disease and colony health Picket Piece Village Hall
27th February Swarms, queens and mating flights Picket Piece Village Hall
12th March Sympathetic Beekeeping Picket Piece Village Hall
26th March Practical evening Picket Piece Village Hall
- The swarm line
- Smoker use
- Frame building
- Practical equipment
- Useful aids and accessories
- Health and safety
April 2024 onwards Hands-in practical sessions The Andy Kingman(Cowdown) apiary
From the beginning of April and subject to weather training will transfer to the Andy Kingman (Cowdown) apiary where beginners will be assigned a working hive to manage and develop in the expectation that colony can be split with ultimately it can be removed from site to the beginner’s own apiary the following Spring. Beginners are encouraged to participate in this programme to develop and enhance their own skills under the guidance of experienced beekeepers.
The course is open to all ages without any necessary experience and certainly no test! The cost of the course will include the textbook appropriate for the course.
REQUIREMENTS: Notebook and pencil.
COST: Individuals - £60.00 including course textbook with a second joint/partner at £40.00 but sharing the course textbook.
Please do not buy anything yet as there is a lot of unnecessary and useless stuff out there waiting for the unwary.
COURSE REGISTRATION OPENS: October 2023
FURTHER DETAILS: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hampshire Beekeepers Association AGM - Monday 11th March 2024 - Itchen Abbas Village Hall, Main Road, Itchen Abbas, Winchester. SO21 1BQ
