Eynsham residents may be aware that there is a growing ‘buzz’ about bees in our community, and it starts at the Village Hall!
For a second year, Oxfordshire Beekeepers Association (OBKA) is using Eynsham Village Hall to run sessions as part of their beekeeping course. It’s a course that is becoming ever-more popular with would-be beekeepers from all over Oxfordshire.
The sessions in Eynsham are run by a team of OBKA tutors. One of the tutors is Julie Macken (wife of our Chair Ross Macken). Julie has been keeping bees for 14 years and runs her own company that uses beeswax – as well as other natural and organic materials – to make skincare products
Julie has found that her local Village Hall is ideal for the sessions she is involved in throughout the year, using both the large and small halls to suit different sessions and group sizes.
“The kitchen is great, too, and the hatch is useful for serving the teas and coffee at the breaks,” she notes. “And having the car parking space is handy as people come from quite far away.”
The year kicks off with a ‘What is beekeeping?’ session in January to help people understand the reality of beekeeping before they sign up for the comprehensive beginners course. Theory sessions are held in Eynsham Village Hall, while practical sessions take place at the teaching apiary in Woodstock.
The course attracts people of all ages and, alongside learning practical skills, the course is intended to “create a community of beekeepers that can help each other and continue to pass on the skills and wisdom.”
Julie has certainly amassed both skills and wisdom over her years of beekeeping, as well as developing a love of the practice. “They’re fascinating creatures,” she says, “and you become really aware of the weather, the climate, the seasons and what’s in bloom when you keep bees. It also gives you a broader respect for and admiration of nature in general.”
Anyone who is interested in beekeeping is advised to attend OKBA’s annual taster session at their teaching apiary on 16 August. This is a great opportunity to explore whether beekeeping is a suitable hobby before signing up for the course.
“Register early,” urges Julie, “we have a limited number of spaces and the beginner course is always oversubscribed. Do a taster session in the summer (https://obka.org.uk/learn-about-bees/obka-annual-taster-day/) – then if you’re keen to keep bees, register your interest in the 2027 course, which will begin in January.”