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 – 2024
The Andy Kingman (Cowdown) apiary is now open for practical training. Check when the next training session will happen by clicking on https:www.tinyurl.com/adbkacowdown. 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 -
• 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 Andover Community Church, Charlton Road, Andover SP10 3JH
Note that the hall will be open from 7.15pm for setting up with a start time of 7.30 for lectures/lessons. For the Honey Show/AGM the hall will be open from 6.30pm due to the additional admin required. 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
01/10/2024 Dr Gerry Brierley - tbc Secrets of Bee Warfare Andover Community Church
05/11/2024 - Honey Show & AGM Andover Community Church
03/12/2024 Ken or Dan Basterfield Simple Queen Rearing Andover Community Church
07/01/2025 Mike Barry & Mike Withers Local Beekeeping Perspectives Andover Community Church
04/02/2025 Barbara Dalby Products of the Hive Andover Community Church
04/03/20205 Trisha Marlow Into Africa: Beekeepers for Life, Zoom presentation
enabling women in Beekeeping
Apiary Visits 2024
Date
22/06/2024 Alan Telfer - 8 Gilberts Green, SP9 7YD
14/07/2024 (tbc) Nigel Armstrong
Bee Keeping Introductory Training 2025
The next course will commence in January 2025 with details and the opportunity to enrol available from October 2024. 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
21st January Equipment and forage Andover Community Church
28th January The beekeeping year Andover Community Church
11th February Colony management Andover Community Church
18th February Disease and colony health Andover Community Church
25th February Swarms, queens and mating flights Andover Community Church
11th March Natural Beekeeping Andover Community Church
25th March Practical evening Andover Community Church
- The swarm line
- Smoker use
- Frame building
- Practical equipment
- Useful aids and accessories
- Health and safety
April 2025 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 2024
FURTHER DETAILS: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
