The Bega Valley Amateur Beekeepers recently conducted two of their very successful "Beginning in Bees” workshops.
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The workshops were held in the grounds of The Old Bega Hospital and were conducted by the training officer, Mr Graham Jones, who has kept bees for almost 30 years.
These workshops allow potential beekeepers to learn about safety, protective gear, bee lifecycle, hive components, how to open a hive and how to obtain bees.
The number of people at each course is kept relatively small (12-14) so that everyone gets the chance to handle a frame full of bees, and if inclined, to practice opening up a hive themselves.
This way, attendees become much more confident about their ability to handle bees.
People who have been standing well back at the start of the hive-opening session usually begin crowding around the hive towards the end, taking no notice of the occasional bee which blunders into their veil.
The original workshop, on September 12 had so many applicants that a second workshop was organised for the following weekend.
This second one was also fully booked, with people coming from as far away as Bombala.
A more advanced workshop conducted by Dr Doug Somerville, (Technical Specialist Honey Bees, NSW Dept. Agriculture) on October 10 is already fully booked.
There is a list of people interested in attending future workshops.
Anyone interested in being added to the list of people interesting in attending future workshops should contact treasurer, Lyall Zweck at treasurer@begavalleybeeclub.org.au.