Spring at East Dorset Beekeepers: Growth, Community and a Buzzing Season Ahead
Spring is well underway at East Dorset Beekeepers’ Association, bringing with it renewed energy, growing membership, and a strong start to the beekeeping season.
Firstly, we welcome Ellie as our new Apiary Co-ordinator, who is already bringing great organisation and enthusiasm to the management of our training apiary. Secondly, we want to thank our dedicated volunteer team, who have enabled the vast majority of colonies to successfully come through winter. A fantastic achievement and a testament to careful overwintering and ongoing support.
Membership is growing
Our community continues to grow, now exceeding 140 members, reflecting a thriving interest in beekeeping across East Dorset. Our new membership secretary, Jeff, has given this focus and support to our membership growth. This is clearly visible in the attendance and engagement at our recent events.
Spring Social at Farmer Palmers
Over the winter and early spring, we’ve delivered a wide range of hands-on learning opportunities. A standout evening at Farmer Palmer’s combined knowledge sharing with supper, alongside practical sessions on swarm control, building swarm boxes, wax processing, and even bee product photography. These events continue to bring together both new and experienced beekeepers in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Education Matters In Beekeeping
Education remains central to what we do. We’ve seen a strong sign-up for the BBKA Basic Assessment, supported by our education team, and we are looking forward to helping members progress in their beekeeping journey throughout the season.
Queen Bees are Laying Eggs in March!
Early signs in the apiary show that colonies are building well. Already, drone brood is present and eggs are beginning to appear. Occasionally, these can be found in unexpected places — which highlights just how quickly the season can progress once temperatures rise..
Meanwhile, our swarm collection network is well organised and ready for the season ahead. In addition, we have a full calendar of events planned for the year. As a result, with our growing membership, East Dorset BKA is entering the new season in a strong and confident position.
Watching the weather, we love the sunny days. We want the cold nights and frost to disappear. The bees are ready for 2026, the trainee beekeepers are keen, and our beekeepers are ready for anything.
The BBKA Basic Assessment is ideal if you have managed at least one colony of bees for over 12 months. This is because the assessment covers the basic things which all beekeepers should know.
The Assessment consists of four parts. The pass mark is 50% in each part. The first part is a practical assessment and the other three parts involve oral questioning.
1 – Show the ability to handle bees and interpret what is observed.
Awareness of the care needed when handling bees. Awareness of the care needed when handling bees. The reactions of bees to smoke, the equipment needed to open a colony of honey bees, the importance of cleanliness. Give the reasons for opening a hive. the need for food stores and the importance of record keeping.
The Candidate should be able to open a hive carefully. Be able to use a smoker and hive tool to lift frames from the hive. Identify worker, drone and queen cells and comment on the state of the combs. Beekeepers should be able to identify the female castes and the drone. Similarly identify brood at all stages. Be able to demonstrate the difference between drone, worker and honey cappings. Additionally, to identify stored nectar, honey and pollen. Demonstrate how to collect a sample of worker bees in a match box. State the number of worker bees required for an adult disease diagnosis sample. Demonstrate how to shake bees from a comb and how to look for signs of brood disease.
Describe the parts of a modern beehive, the concept of the bee space. Assemble a brood frame and fit it with wired wax foundation. Discuss spacing of the combs in the brood chamber and super for both foundation and drawn comb and methods used to achieve this spacing.
2 – Natural History and Beekeeping
Give an elementary account of the development of queens, workers and drones in the hive. Describe the periods spent by the female castes and the drone in the four stages of their life (egg, larva, pupa and adult). Discuss the main local flora from which honey bees gather pollen and nectar, a simple definition of nectar and a simple description of how it is collected, brought back to the hive and converted into honey.
Give a simple description of the collection and use of pollen, water and propolis in the hive. Verbalise an elementary description of the way in which the honey bee colony passes the winter. Describe an elementary description of how to set up an apiary. Include the precautions that should be taken to prevent bees from being a nuisance to neighbours and livestock. Demonstrate the possible effects of honey bee stings on humans and suitable first aid treatments. Talk about an elementary description of the annual cycle of work in the apiary.
Sugar Syrup, Robbing and Honey Extraction: Describe the preparation of sugar syrup and how and when to feed bees. Explain the need to add supers and the timing of doing so. Demonstrate that you understand the dangers of robbing and how robbing can be avoided. Choose a method used to clear honey bees from supers.
Explain the process of extracting honey from combs and a method of straining and bottling of honey suitable for a small-scale beekeeper, including hygiene, awareness of the various web-based resources relating to beekeeping, such as BBKA and Beebase.
3 – Swarming, Swarm Control and Effects
Give an elementary description of swarming in a honey bee colony. Similarly, give an elementary account of one method of swarm control. Illustrate how to take a swarm and how to hive it. Clarify the signs of a queenless colony and how to test if a colony is queenless. Describe the signs of laying workers and of a drone laying queen. Give the examiner a description of a simple method of queen introduction.
Finally, describe one method of uniting colonies, along with the necessary precautions to be taken.
4 – Diseases & Pests
The appearance of healthy brood, sealed and unsealed, the reasons for good apiary hygiene, awareness of the reasons for regular brood comb replacement, description of the signs of the bacterial diseases American Foul Brood (AFB) and European Foul Brood (EFB), the fungal disease Chalk Brood and the viral disease Sac brood, description of methods for detecting and monitoring the presence of varroa (a mite) and description of its effect on the colony including awareness of the effect of associated viruses, awareness of acarine (a mite) and nosema (a fungus) and their effect upon the colony.
Communicate of ways of controlling varroa using integrated pest management techniques. Demonstrate your awareness of the current legislation regarding notifiable diseases and pests of honey bees. Demonstrate your understanding of who to contact to verify disease and advise on treatment.
Describe how comb can be stored to prevent wax moth damage. Conclude with a description of how mice and other pests can be excluded from the hives in winter.
Assessment Booking
If you want to ask questions about the assessments, or enquire about booking an assessment please contact: secretary@edbka.org.uk
ContentSource: BBKA & North Dorset Beekeepers Association
Congratulations to our members on completing the BBKA Basic Assessment!
This is a fantastic achievement and a real milestone in any beekeeper’s journey. For some, it began with the training course. For others, it all started with a swarm.
Firstly, the Basic Assessment is open to beekeepers who have managed bees for at least one year. Secondly, it provides an excellent chance to demonstrate the skills our members have gained. Thirdly, it builds confidence and strengthens knowledge in a supportive way.
In addition, the Association’s training days allow members to practice skills directly in the apiary. As a result, candidates feel well prepared for the exam.
What were the candidates assessed on?
Handling bees calmly and safely
Understanding the life cycle of the colony
Identifying diseases and pests
Explaining seasonal beekeeping tasks
Using equipment correctly and responsibly
It’s not just about theory. Importantly, the assessment focuses on hands-on beekeeping and practical understanding, guided by the BBKA syllabus. Furthermore, many of our members prepared together, making it a real community effort.
By taking the Basic Assessment, our members have shown real commitment. They are developing their own skills and supporting sustainable beekeeping in Dorset.
EDBKA Basic Assessment Mentors Make It Happen
A huge congratulations from all of us at EDBKA to the members who passed their BBKA Basic Assessment this year! We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the two Master Beekeepers, who generously gave their time, knowledge, and encouragement.
In addition, a special mention goes to Ivor, who championed this idea in 2025. Your encouragement at the Farmer Palmer’s event inspired several of us to take the plunge. Your continued support along the way has been invaluable.
Looking Ahead to 2026
If you are considering the Basic Assessment, we plan to run study groups again in 2026. Please refer to our Basic Assessment post for more information. Finally, remember our association is here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Here’s to many more buzzing successes in the apiary! 🐝
“Congratulations to EDBKA members who passed the BBKA Basic Assessment 2025! Learn how we support training, mentoring, and study groups in Dorset.” Sandra Palmer-Snellin, Chair
19.8.25
Permission from ARB photography is given to the association. Thank you.
Don’t miss this fun evening to socialise with other East Dorset Beekeepers. If you do not have a team then please let Chris know and we are sure we will be able to put you in touch with a colony!
May and June are the peak season for honey bee swarms. But what should you do? Read on to see how we can help.
If you see the marvellously natural sight of thousands of bees flying through the air, this is swarming. Eventually they may choose to alight in your favourite tree or garden bush. The group of bees is know as a cluster and can land on your bird table.
What should I do if I think I have seen a honeybee swarm?
Remain calm, it is also sensible to keep your distance, and keep children and pets indoors. Remember, these vital pollinators need care and not a pest controller. It is much better for the bee’s survival if you phone your local beekeeping association below to collect them.
You can anticipate the bee swarm will rest for between a few hours. It can be as long as 2 days before their scout bees come back to tell them others where their new home will be.
Firstly, a colony of bees prepares to swarm for a few reasons. Firstly, when they are raising lots of baby bees and it is getting a little crowded in their original hive. Secondly, they may decide the queen is getting old and create new queens within the hive. Rather than fight it out the old queen leaves, with half the hive! That could be between 1,500 and 30,000 bees including workers (female bees) and drones (male bees).
Secondly, and most interestingly, the bee’s little tummies will be engorged with honey for their flight. Because of this they will be in a docile, passive state of mind. In addition, they do not have a home to defend!
Who Can Collect Dorset Honeybee Swarms?
East Dorset Beekeepers have a Swarm Coordinator who you can contact via our website’s swarm map page. They will try to find one of our friendly volunteer beekeepers who may be able to come to your home and carefully collect honey bees, for free.
You will be asked a number of questions to help you identify if you have honeybees, or if you are describing the nest of wasps or hornets, a photo helps. Please be ready with your address, postcode, phone number and the location of the swarm in case we need to bring a ladder! You can learn a lot by watching from a safe area, preferably indoors.
Gardeners love bees because they know pollinators are the most important insects on earth. Also gardeners know that the 276 species of UK bees are crucial for pollination. In fact, if the bee population were to disappear altogether, we would loose our honey and half the fruit and vegetables we rely on
One of our beekeepers’ New Year’s resolution was a promise to only add plants that are bee, or pollinator, friendly plants to their garden. As a result, it will be bright and beautiful but has an essential function.
In addition, another member has a 2 acre field that is having wildflowers and trees added for enrichment, and no pesticides. Butterflies will love you for a big Buddleia or relaxing lavender. The RHSsite can suggest some favourites.
Don’t mow the dandelions
How Can I Help Pollinators in My Garden?
Sadly, many of Britain’s gardens are becoming buried in convenience. Too much concrete, too much tarmac, Astroturf or lawns mown within an inch of their life, not a single dandelion in sight. No mow May has been a success for many people who want to help make a difference. You can even decide to leave them for June!.
Bee and pollinator friendly flowerbed
Who Can Advise on How ‘To Bee’ a Friendlier Gardener?
There are many great organisations, and plant nurseries also have really useful blogs. We were approached by Hannah Miller, a former NHS administrator, mother of two and keen gardener with a horticulture qualification. She cares about the environment and loves growing new plants and experimenting in the garden.
Her blog includes many hints and tips to help you become more eco-sustainable in gardening practices. Read on to find out more.
Early Snowdrops
How Do I Find Out More About Eco-Sustainable Gardening?
There are multiple causes for bee population decline. In brief, there are several issues that have combined to create a genuine threat to our pollinators.
In her DIY Gardening site, Hannah shares natural alternatives to help you reduce, or stop, unknowingly damaging your garden for pollinators.
Imagine Britain’s gardens today. Too much concrete, too much tarmac, Astroturf or lawns mown within an inch of their life, not a single dandelion in sight. Alternatives to pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides.
Honey Bee searching for pollen and nectar
How Can I Help My Garden?
Take a look at Hannah’s helpful guide below for novice and enthusiast gardeners looking for tips to help improve your gardening practices.
If you have enjoyed this information and want to know more about East Dorset Beekeeping Association, Check out our About Us Page.
Gardeners love bees
Disclaimer: We have provided links to other websites for information that we believe might be of interest. EDBKA has no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed or products that may be advertised within the external websites.
Our popular “Winter Meetings” have now been arranged, and we have some great speakers. Pop to our diary page to see what will be going on. This also has other key dates for your diary, including the Honey Show, which is open to the public for free and open to members to show their excellent produce for a small fee.
DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has responded to the petition “Require honey labels to reflect all countries of origin of the honey. ”
