Bees are not only essential to the environment (60% of food plants depend on honey bees for pollination) but these highly sophisticated insects are also a real pleasure to keep.

And the great thing is you don't need a great deal of space to keep bees.

This one day course is a complete introduction giving you a taster of what is involved and helping you to understand the whole beekeeping process, before you fully commit to keeping bees yourself.

The course will be led by David Wiscombe, a local beekeeping expert who has over been keeping bees for over 50 years.

David has been mentoring Cat Bugler, our resident trainee beekeeper, here at Park Farm for the last few years.

The day will be divided in to four parts.

Part one will begin in the farmhouse where David will go through the fundamental facts around beekeeping, from recognising the honey bee, through to equipment needed and why we should keep bees.

The next two sessions are practical sessions, out at the River Cottage Apiary. This will give you a chance to examine a bee hive and learn about the safety and beekeeping etiquette.

The final session will be back in the barn, where David will show you the numerous products you can make out of a hive (floor wax, facial cream etc) and how to get started on the road to bee keeping, with lots of useful advice and tips.

Included in the price of your ticket is a delicious seasonal lunch prepared by the River Cottage kitchen team, plus there will be a set of notes which you can take home.

Link for more infoo: http://www.rivercottage.net/shop/product/bee_keeping/