Natural Bees

Come and stay at Embercombe for an inspiring weekend living in garden and learning about 'natural beekeeping' in top-bar hives - a bee friendly way to have bees in your garden with the possibility of your own honey harvest, but without the expense and complications associated with commercial beekeeping equipment. The course is facilitated by Phil Chandler the author of 'The Barefoot Beekeeper' (www.biobees.com).

You will learn:

- the nature of bees and the evolution of beekeeping

- the principles of natural beekeeping

- how to build a top bar hive for yourself using simple tools

- the basics of managing a hive during your first year of beekeeping

- how to learn about bees by observing their behaviour

When you see for yourself how bees design and build their own nest, you will realize how little they need from us as beekeepers, and how much we can learn from them.

This course is suitable for novice to advanced beekeepers - whatever your level of experience this course will give you the confidence to build and manage your own top-bar hive following the principles of natural beekeeping.

There is the option to take away, in kit form, all the materials cut to size, for you to build your own hive and an instructional DVD (this will have a separate cost of £175). We have also arranged a discount on beekeeping clothing with a local supplier.

There are some very interesting podcasts and free downloads on Phil's website, which you can view before coming on the course - see http://biobees.libsyn.com.

Dates for 2010:
26th - 28th March
23rd - 25th April
7th - 9th May
9th - 11th July - Extra weekend due to demand

£140 - cost includes facilitation, camping in the garden and all meals from Friday night to Sunday lunchtime.

Accommodation in yurts, each with a wood burning stove is available at an extra cost of £35.

All meals are organic, cooked with produce from our garden and other organic ingredients.

A collection to & from Exeter St Davids is possible.

To register please sending in the booking form with your deposit.
For more information contact Clare@embercombe.co.uk or 01647 252 983