HEREFORDSHIRE Beekeepers’ Association is holding a practical workshop covering all aspects of beekeeping – aimed at beginners, improvers and those just interested.

The emphasis is on the practical side of beekeeping.

There will be equipment, hives, demonstrations and experts on hand to give advice.

Winter losses of colonies are much higher than normal and the bees need their beekeepers’ more than ever.

Colin Pavey, chairman of Herefordshire Beekeepers’ Association, said: "Keeping bees has become more complex, with the varroa mite having a major impact and making the bees more vulnerable to common bee viruses.

"Compounding this, if there are not enough ‘winter bees’ in September and they are not in peak condition, they simply won’t last until spring when they are needed to keep the hive warm for the new generation to emerge.

"The poor summer last year meant that bees went into the winter low on stores and despite copious feeding by their beekeepers, many simply ran out of food.

"The queen starts laying early in the year, creating a high demand on honey stores by March – with this spring being around a month late coming, many colonies did not have enough in the larder."

There are many factors impacting on all types of bees and while there has been considerable controversy over neonicotinoid pesticides, now be banned for two years, the beekeeping community is divided.

Some beekeepers are convinced that neonicotinoid are having a low level impact on bees, while others are more worried about the earlier generations of pesticides which may now come back into use.

Colin added: "Most colony losses can be attributed to the weather, to disrupted seasons, and to poor husbandry, particularly related to control of varroa, this is why our Workshop is so important."

The workshop is on May 18 at Bodenham Village Hall, from 11am to 4pm and is a free, drop-in, stay-aslong- as-you-like event.