Description
Beekeeper Workshops
Local Bee Inspector Bob Poole will be leading 3 workshops to encourage and equip local beekeepers
and raise funds for the Urban Bee-lievers social enterprise.
Each workshop will include a short introduction and demonstration. Participants will then be
encouraged to break into small groups to discuss the topic and decide how they will implement the
learning in their beekeeping practice. A worksheet will be provided for each workshop.
Each workshop will be led by Bob with support from Sarah and Steve and refreshments will be
provided.
The workshop are as follows:
1) Honeybee diseases and pests and how to carry out a colony autopsy – 27th Feb 2025
2) Apiary hygiene and comb change options – 27th March 2025
3) Preparation for the active bee season including making a swarm control plan – 17th April 2025
The Team
With decades of beekeeping experience between them, the Urban Bee-lievers team and volunteers
have come across many of the bee keepers challenges and know how amazing but frustrating
beekeeping can be.
Bob Poole – is the Seasonal Bee Inspector (SBI) for Northamptonshire and some parts of
North Bucks, including Wolverton. Bob worked his way through all the BBKA module exams
and joined the National Bee Unit in 2007. As SBI, he has inspected thousands of colonies and
has been heavily involved in Yellow Legged Hornet track and trace activities in Kent and
Dorset. Having kept bees since childhood, Bob currently has colonies in his garden and an
out-apiary site. As a lawyer by trade, Bob brings a very organised, logical and calm approach
to beekeeping that never fails to help and support beekeepers in any situation. His vast
experience means he has seen all sorts of different hives, bees and beekeepers and is an
expert in bee disease identification.
Sarah Mist – Urban Bee-lievers Manager. She started her bee keeping journey 15 years when she
helped to set up the Urb Farm apiary in Wolverton and then volunteered to
maintain the hives, before being employed to create the Urban Bee-lievers social enterprise
7 years ago. Sarah has worked her way through all the BBKA module exams and passed the
General Husbandry Assessment. She has lots of stories about bee keeping, the many
mistakes she has made and how the bees still surprise her with something new all the time.
Steve Snook – Urban Bee-lievers team member, has been keeping bees for 10 years. Steve
has built up a wealth of experience by running up to 10 of his own hives across three apiary
sites and now manages the Urban Bee-lievers out apiaries on 3 sites in Central Milton
Keynes. Steve has achieved his BBKA basic assessment and has a very practical approach to
bee keeping. The womble in him is always finding non expensive solutions to beekeeping
problems.
Additional information
Venue – Foundation House, The Square, Wolverton, MK12 5HX (big white building)
Time – Arrive from 7.15pm with a 7.30pm start time. Finish by 9pm
Participants – Open to all beekeepers
Parking – There is some parking behind Foundation House or street parking around Wolverton.
There is also a public car park on Church Street, next to St Georges Church, MK12 5ES. It is
approximately a 4 minute walk from the Church Street car park to Foundation House.
Tickets – Book online below or pay at the door
Questions – If you have any questions please email sarah.mist@mkchristianfoundation.co.uk
