Gareth John Workshops

I have been contacted by YABeeP's very good friend and long time member Gareth John detailing 2 natural beekeeping workshops he is running. Many of you may also know Gareth from his role as site administrator and lead moderator on the Natural Beekeeping Network - http://www.biobees.com/forum/.

If you want to attend any of these days, detailed below, then you need act quickly as he tells me they are booking up fast.

Bespoke Workshops for YABeeP
I am also very pleased to say that Gareth has again agreed to run some workshops in Yatton specifically for YABeeP members. For us Gareth has agreed to tailor workshops to meet our needs. He's even agreed to run these at £30 per person for a day's training¹, bring your own food.

Gareth John

Gareth has particular expertise in managing horizontal/Kenyan hives. Last year he ran a brilliant workshop for us on recovering from cross-combing and making a split. If you would like to attend something similar this year or help tailor something specific to your own needs then please contact Gareth direct (grjohn at btinternet com) as he will arrange the YABeeP  days based on your feedback and with coordinate with me.

Make it clear that you are interested in a Yatton YABeeP training day also let him know your hive type and experience.

Robin Morris

¹ Bees For Development also run similar courses in the Forest of Dean but at £87 per day.

Gareth's message:-

Gareth shows members
what to look for

Dear Beekeeper

Below is notification of the first in what I hope will become a series of natural beekeeping weekends in Kencot, West Oxfordshire - map. The aim of these weekends is to foster a general understanding of the principles of what has become known as natural beekeeping. The weekends will be in a workshop style, with plenty of opportunity for interaction and questions.

The Saturday is for those who are starting their journey as natural beekeepers (or are perhaps considering such a journey) and who wish to learn about the concepts that underpin keeping bees as a natural beekeeper

The Sunday is for those who wish to delve more deeply into the subject. You are welcome to attend either or both days. If you have a friend or acquaintance who might be interested, please feel free to forward this email.

If you are interested in attending either or both days, please reply accordingly, saying which day you would like to attend and noting any special dietary or other requirements. Further details of the subject matter for each day, how to pay and and how to get here will be sent once I have an idea of likely numbers.

I look forward to hearing from you:


Saturday 31 March 2012, 10:30 – 4.00
An introduction to honey bees, their place in the local ecosystem and natural beekeeping, including

• The annual cycle of a honey bee colony
• Working with the bees - the basics of natural beekeeping
• Horizontal and Warre top bar hives

Sunday 1 April 2012, 10:30 – 4.00
In depth topics for natural beekeepers, including

• Colony development in the spring and early summer
• Swarming and splits
• The impact of Varroa



Gareth training at YABeeP, May 2011

• Varroa tolerant bees

Both days will be in a small group format (around 8 attendees each day). Each topic will be covered in a talk, followed by questions and discussion. If you have a topic that you would particularly like to be included, please let me know.

Cost: £40 including a good lunch, teas, coffees and cake. Special diets (vegetarian, gluten free etc) can easily be catered for, but please let me know when booking as we cannot cover options that we don't know about!

Hive Opening

As the weather is unlikely to be warm enough for a hive opening, both  days will be indoor-based.  For those who would like a practical demonstration, a half-day hive opening can be scheduled for the weekend of 5th and 6th May.  There will be a nominal additional cost of £5 for this. Tea, coffee and cake will be supplied. Please let me know if you would like to attend such a day.


My Credentials
I have a degree in Agricultural Science and have kept bees on and off over a 40 year period, the last 5 years of which have been in top bar hives.

Gareth John
Natural Beekeeping Weekend Workshops
Kencot
West Oxfordshire