MCBK Beginners Training
During the first half of 2027 our branch will be offering training sessions for those thinking about
or just starting out in beekeeping.
Between January and March 2027 experienced MCBK beekeepers will deliver a series of
six Zoom sessions covering all you need to know for your first year of beekeeping.
Topics covered will include:
An introduction to the honeybee
How to get started
What’s inside the beehive
The beekeeping seasons
Swarming
Honeybee health, pests and diseases
Bee nutrition and local forage
The honey harvest and other hive products
The sessions will start at 7:30 pm on Wednesday evenings on the following dates:
13th January
27th January
10th February
24th February
10th March
24th March
The cost for the series of sessions and supporting materials is £40 per person with places reserved on a
first come first served basis. If you would like to enrol for these training sessions please complete and
submit the on-line form shown below.
If you have any difficulty submitting the on-line form shown above please download and
complete the application form below and return by e-mail to
MCBKTraining@midcheshirebeekeepers.co.uk.
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Practical (hands-on) Training
Following on from the theory training we will be running practical (hands-on) training sessions between
April and July 2027. These sessions will be held on Saturday or Sunday mornings at the MCBK Apiary at
Grozone in Northwich (www.grozone.org.uk). Each session will last approximately 3 hours and the
practical training will encompass the following topics:
Checking that you have the basic equipment and how to use it correctly
Hive hygiene
Loading and lighting a smoker
Records – what is needed and why
Planning the hive visit – what you want to achieve
Weather – is it fit to inspect
Regular inspections
Approaching the hive and assessing the colony
Inspection techniques and practices
Bee diseases and pests – what to look out for
Swarm prevention and control
The bees and hive during the season
Honey – extraction and jarring
Winter preparation and closing the hive
Although the theory course leads on to the practical training the two courses can be taken independently
so you can sign-up for the practical course even if you have not followed the theory course.
Ken Houghton, Ian Turley and Josh Hampson, all of whom are experienced MCBK beekeepers, will be the
primary trainers on the practical course. The first practical session is scheduled for Saturday 17th April 2027
with following sessions at approximately fortnightly intervals although the exact dates will be dependent on
weather conditions and/or the status of the bees.
More detailed information about the practical training together with an application form will be shown here in
due course. If you would like further information about the practical course please contact us by e-mail at:
MCBKTraining@midcheshirebeekeepers.co.uk