Want to Be an Apprentice Beefarmer? Aged between 16-24?

We are delighted that the Beefarmers Association has developed an apprenticeship scheme. It is exactly the sort of programme I would have liked to do when I started as the modules are very varied and cover lots of aspects. It is still shocking that 85% of honey 
eaten in Britain is imported despite the growing public interest in honey and beekeeping. We are keen to bring on the next generation of beekeepers who are equipped to deal with the complex issues facing both pollinators and food producers but ultimately to produce top quality honey for people to enjoy. We love our job and think an apprentice will too. 

More information on what the three year training will cover is below, information on pay will be disclosed on request. The apprenticeship leads to a City and Guilds level 3 or higher. You must be between 16-24 to apply.

The apprenticeship scheme has been developed with the support of Defra and the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers.

So what will BFA apprentices study?

• introduction to beekeeping

• anatomy and dissection

• microscopy

• diseases

• integrated pest management

• pollen and nutrition

• botany and forage sources

• queen rearing and stock improvement

• seasonal management

• processing hive products

• bottling and presentation

• equipment cleansing and recovery

• carpentry including basic woodworking skills

• setting up a business

• finance

• business structures

• marketing

• the competitive environment

• the industry worldwide

• first aid

• health and safety

• food hygiene.

There will be 46 weeks practical work with the company both in the warehouse and with the bees. There may be opportunities to work on different bee farms throughout the country and visit different bee farming set-ups to gain a variety of experience. There may be some experience abroad as well. 

Give Sweet Treats and Candle Light

We're ready to give gifts. I know it still seems a bit early to talk Christmas but if you get the presents sorted early then you can sit by the fire and drink mulled wine and eat mince pies. We've already started on the stollen as the work tea break accompaniment of choice. 

If you'd prefer to put together your own gift box then we can take orders over the phone and can send out gift vouchers for our April beekeeping course, they go nicely as part of a box.

Leach & the London Honey Company

We have teamed up with Leach Pottery to produce these delightful beeswax candles, which have the Leach Pottery stamp on the base. Once finished, the pots can be used as egg cups - fantastic recycling and are a geat collectors item. The pots are hand thrown by Roelof Uys and the team at the pottery in St Ives. A bit of history: founded in 1920 by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, the Leach  Pottery is amongst the most respected and influential studio potteries in the world. He trained as a potter in Japan 1910-20, something which I feel can be sensed through their distinctive style of the pottery. Bernard Leach's pottery can be found in the collections of the Tate and the V&A, galleries which we have great affection for, such was his significance in 20th century art.

We are delighted to collaborate with the pottery which is still based in St Ives, Cornwall, as it has been over the last hundred years.