Apiary Sessions are now over until Spring 2026.

Education and Courses

Beekeeper inspects a brood frame, Lancashire. Ben Mooney

Our Education Officer works hard to promote the education side of our branch and encouraging our members to study for the full range of examinations and courses that the BBKA has to offer. As a result, we hope this will lead our members to be better and more knowledgeable beekeepers.

We are pleased that more members of our branch have successfully passed the “BBKA Basic Assessment” and "Honey Bee Health Assessment" as well as Module examinations in 2025.

Candidates have to have kept bees for at least twelve months to take the Basic, and three years for Honey Bee Health.

Study groups are being set up across the county for members who wish to learn more from BBKA modules which follow on from the basic assessment. As a result, we are hopeful of more success this coming year. These study groups have proven a great way of learning therefore expanding your knowledge. The exams are optional.

Upcoming courses

Introduction To Beekeeping

Date: 31st Jan & 7th Feb 2026

Location: Trawden Forest Community Centre, Library & Shop, Church St, Trawden, Colne BB8 8RZ

You will be asked to pay by BACS to reserve your place. You will need to be able to attend both the above dates.

This course is now fully booked.

Honey Bee Health

Dates - Zoom: 12th Feb, 26th Feb, 12th March

Dates in person: 26th March

Location: to be determined

Assessment: An agreed time before 31st August.

This is for members who have kept bees for at least 3 years. There is no charge for the course, but the assessment fee of £25 is payable directly to BBKA on application.

Basic Assessment

Dates - zoom: 2nd June, 9th June, 16th June, 23rd June, 30th June, 7th July & 14th July

In Person: It is important to attend the weekly apiary sessions for practical training.

Assessment: An agreed time between 20th July - 7th August

This is for members who have kept bees for twelve months. There is no charge for the course, but the assessment fee of £35 is payable directly to BBKA on application.

What courses are available?

Some of the courses are tutored by ELBKA volunteers; others are tutored by volunteers from other Lancashire Association branches.

Taster Sessions

Attending East Lancashire Beekeeper’s Association’s Beekeeping Taster Sessions is an excellent way to get the facts you need to decide if beekeeping is for you.

The session includes a short introductory talk about beekeeping and then you will be able to get hands on with the bees in our club apiary. This is a super opportunity to see if you are comfortable standing in front of an open hive with the bees flying around you. You can then go on and complete our Introduction to Beekeeping Course.

Each session costs £20, which includes loan of a bee suit. Please contact education@eastlancsbees.org.uk for more information about future Taster Sessions.

Introduction To Beekeeping Course

The Introduction to Beekeeping course, which runs over two sessions on consecutive Sundays, covers basic beekeeping theoretical knowledge and has one apiary session included.

Following the course we recommend everyone joins the club and attends the club apiary regularly to gain practical skills and also learn by interaction and discussion with other beekeepers.

This course is classroom based and will be followed by a practical session the when the weather is warm enough to open hives at one of our club apiary sites.

The course costs £115 which includes the book 'The BBKA Guide to Beekeeping' (£100 without the book).

This book is our recommended companion book for the course. We are pleased to be able to supply it at a competitive price.

Places are allocated on a first come first served basis. You can register your interest in a course by emailing education@eastlancsbees.org.uk

Basic Assessment Course

The Basic Beekeeping Certificate is an assessment of basic, practical, beekeeping skills as well as basic beekeeping knowledge so it is important to attend the club apiary regularly through the spring and summer to access the practical part of the training.

To take the Basic Assessment in Beekeeping you must have managed at least one colony of bees for a minimum of 12 months and be a member of the BBKA - you are a member of BBKA if you are a member of ELBKA.

On assessment day an assessor (an experienced beekeeper) will assess your Basic beekeeping skills by watching you open a hive and do a few other tasks. This is followed by a question and answer session.

The syllabus and more information about the Basic Assessment certificate is available on the BBKA Member Hub.

Please contact education@eastlancsbees.org.uk for more information about the next Basic Assessment Course.

Honey Bee Health Course

The course aims to encourage beekeepers to expand their knowledge and practice of beekeeping, in particular in identifying disease and hive pests and the management thereof.

To take the Honey Bee Health you must have passed your Basic Assessment, been keeping bees for at least 3 years and be a member of the BBKA.

The course in 2026 is being run at County level, with a study group on zoom and some practical sessions in the apiary. The assessment will be in early summer.

Similar to the Basic Assessment, an assessor will assess you as you carry out a disease inspection of a hive and perform at least one manipulation, such as a Shook Swarm or a Bailey Comb Change. There will also be a question and answer session.

The syllabus and more information about the Honey Bee Health Assessment can be found on the BBKA Member Hub.

Please contact education@eastlancsbees.org.uk for more information about the next Honey Bee Health Course.

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