The Association Apiary started in 2006 with five hives bought by the association and has increased in size in each successive season.

The idea of the apiary is to 'try before you buy' - you perform routine inspections throughout the season, accompanied by an experienced beekeeper and then at the end of the season you take on a hive of your own. There are two methods :

1) Association Hive. You gain your experience on whichever hive(s) need to be inspected each time you visit the apiary. At the end of the season you buy one of the hives, which is then replaced by the association.

2) You buy your own hive and put it in the association apiary. You always inspect this hive (it will be marked so that others leave it alone). At the end of the season you relocate the hive to your chosen apiary.

You can come and visit the Apiary on open days and/or join one of the training courses that we run.

Click here for Apiary Open days

Click here for details of courses