The ‘Introducing Beekeeping Course’ took place 1st-2nd June 2024 and was led by Julia Piggot and Martin Hoggard. Julia and Martin are both highly experienced beekeepers and trainers. They run the Brigsteer Bee Reserve, just outside Kendal. The course was a blend of theoretical sessions and more practical tasks. It included an opportunity for participants to closely observe bees on the frames in two nuc boxes and help to transfer them into full size hives. They also made hive frames, practised swarm control methods and watched honey being extracted, filtered and jarred. Fifteen people attended, including two juniors.
The course evaluations indicated that all were highly satisfied with the course. The full feedback summary can be read here.
Introducing Beekeeping FEEDBACK SUMMARY
June 2024
15 attended : 14 feedback forms completed
Rated comments shown as % of responses received
| 1=grotty 5=very good | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| How well has the course met your learning needs?
| 100% | ||||
| Comments: -Very helpful answers to questions! Considerate / encouraging and informative -Excellent and informative -May be shorter day: 10.00.-3.30. would be better? -Very informative- good to have hands on interaction -Perfect, came in knowing nothing really, leave feeling so much more knowledge and confidence. -Very interesting, informative and well paced. -Thoroughly professional, comprehensive, informative -Yes & more! -Yes, I am clear on my next steps and have confirmed my involvement. | |||||
| Was the information presented well and clearly? | 100% | ||||
| Comments: -Full of variety- good class engagement. -Presented with humour -Excellent -Yes – explained well -Yes, split well and learning was reinforced -Good mix of practical and theoretical -Delivered at a measured pace without overwhelming -Patiently delivered presentation. -Accommodated well for all needs. I’m so inspired! -Yes, two very informed and gentle presenters.
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| Do you feel the weekend provided value for money? | 7% | 93% | |||
| Comments: -Plenty of hands on opps. + literature -Could charge more! -Yes- a good mix, feel confident to move forward. -Excellent launch for my BK hubby – thank you. -Worth the money -I am really appreciative that this course was so affordable! | |||||
| Is the balance between PowerPoint learning & practical hands on about right given that you do have to learn the boring bits?
| 7% | 93% | |||
| Comments: -Yes- though day 2 was more mixed activity so less powerpoint.. I really enjoyed everything though. -The training hives and practice hives were excellent. -Yes- overall, but I would have preferred slightly more with hive time. -A bit more time with the bees welcome. -A very good balance | |||||
What do you need next?
-Yes, the intermediate course looks good!
-Join Penrith Beekeepers before committing to keeping my own bees.
-Mentor x 3
-Perhaps a practical learning day every quarter to cover the ‘yearly cycle’.
-Join Penrith Beekepers
-Join my local association for a port of call for help and assistance in the future
-Hands on experience of a mentor
-Already in contact with my bee buddy – need to have a visit to Acorn Bank
-Will encourage my grandson + Julia and Mark also!
What did you enjoy most on the course?
Learning about swarm control
All aspects both classroom and hands on
The interactive Q and A opportunities: I am a learner who needs ot understand the logic behind why we should do stuff. Thank you.
-The bees and putting together the apiary
-apiary time
-Everything + Martin being a tree
-Being close and interactive with the bees.
-A good mix
-Fantastic Course! Fabulous mentors, good mix of practival, theory was just enugh for beginners.
-Opportunities to question – mix of students.
-Looking at the hives and being calmed by the bees.
How did you hear about our course?
Penrith Beekeepers x 4
Volunteer at Acorn Bank
Internet x 3
My wife
Through employer
Daughter who also attended
Any other comments ?
-Useful info about varroa treatments and more natural controls.
-Wonderful
-Really helpful and informative, far exceeded my expectations.
-Great introductory course – excited about getting bees