Overall view of beekeeping in the uk. The importance of bees and pollinators and why learn about them? What are the issues around bees and pollinators.  What is meant by a ‘bee’ anyway? Do I want to become a beekeeper- an overall view of what’s involved? The organisations and the ethics, styles of beekeeping

A life’s work. start by looking at the basics - honey bees as individuals, the honey bee life cycle (insect life cycle) naming of parts, how they develop, the different types of honey bees in a hive/colony? What do they eat? What comes into and goes out of the hive?

The community of the bees. How the bee colony is more than just a collection of individuals. It can be viewed as a Superorganism. How the colony bees  have evolved to co-operate with each other, how the colony is regulated – how it functions.

How does the bee colony survive? Honey and pollen. How are they detected/collected and processed. How do the bees interact with the plant world? How do we interact with the bees to get honey. How do we as beekeeper process honey for consumption and selling? Legislation – the Honey regs.

Bees have their own pests and diseases as we do. Look at what they are and how they affect individual bees, bee colonies and the consequences for beekeeping. “Meet” the yellow legged /Asian hornet which has been in the media. Legislation – Pest and diseases control order.

Development of the beehive. What constitutes a hive, how and why a hive is manipulated. Look at other pieces of equipment: clothing, tools etc.

How a hive/colony is managed throughout the year. What the beekeeper needs to do during different parts of the year as the needs of the bees and the environment/weather changes.  How, what you do, depends on what type of beekeeper you are.

What is swarming? Why do bees swarm? Why is it important to beekeepers and what can beekeepers do about it.