AS the plight of the honeybee becomes increasingly more apparent it’s important to offer the correct training to those who want to help preserve these valuable insects.

Duchy College Rosewarne will be offering a Basic Beekeeping Certificate for beginners or those who wish to gain an insight in to beekeeping, commencing on Thursday January 6 2011. The course aims to equip learners with the knowledge and practical skills to start their own apiary and is delivered by Rodger Dewhurst, one of the country’s leading experts.

“This course is ideal for beginners or for those who keep bees but haven’t had any formal training. The first sessions will be a mix of practical and theory, based in the classroom, looking at hive making, diseases, understanding the bee and the bee keeper’s year. When the weather gets warmer around April the students will be able to work in the apiary at Rosewarne where they will help manage a colony of bees,” explained Rodger.

There are already 26 keen amateur bee keepers signed up to the course and Rodger is eager to teach them the importance of caring for bees properly. A professional bee keeper for 38 years, Rodger has over a hundred colonies throughout Cornwall and has travelled the country lecturing about his internationally acclaimed research on the honeybees.

“During the early 90s the parasite varroa was brought into the country and this severely affected our bee colonies. The parasite feeds on adult bees and breeds on those at pupil stage. It can impair the male’s fertility and ultimately cause whole colonies to collapse.

“If people are interested in the troubles of the honeybee and want to do their bit for the environment then completing this course is a great way to learn more and understand fully the importance of the honeybee and how to manage and keep them successfully,” added Rodger.

The course will take place on Thursday evenings and is in association with the West Cornwall Beekeepers Association (WCBKA). Anyone wishing to enrol should contact the College on 01209 721321. Students on the course are also encouraged to join their local beekeeping association.