Ottery beekeepers teach how to save honeybee

WITH honeybee numbers in decline, Bicton College is encouraging people who may be interested in keeping bees to attend a one-day introductory course next month.

WITH honeybee numbers in decline, Bicton College is encouraging people who may be interested in keeping bees to attend a one-day introductory course next month.

Ottery St Mary professional beekeepers Ken and Dan Basterfield, both members of the British Beekeepers Association, will teach about caring for honeybees, swarming, harvesting, health and important issues regarding taking on a hive.

Course organiser Kitrina Bishop said: "We want people to engage with bees and wildlife in their gardens and get joy and pleasure from it.

"The more hives there are, the more resilient the whole Devon honeybee population is to the outbreak of disease."

The course, on Saturday, October 3, from 9.30am to 4.30pm, costs �60, including lunch and protective equipment.

For more information call Nick Nicholls (01395) 562347, visit www.bickton.ac.uk or email kbishop@bicton.ac.uk.