You might be interested to know that the 2012-2013 programme is under development and the first few courses are about to appear in BeeCraft. The website contains details of the 6 courses listed so far, there will be others.
What is new this year? There are completely new courses (e.g. Brood Diseases, Bee Behaviour) and many of the existing courses have been modified or completely re-written in response to feedback and to make them more focussed on the Healthy Bees Plan objectives and the BBKA education and training system. Although the courses currently on offer are confined to the existing Devon and Kent training centres, negotiations are on-going to secure more northerly venues.
The good news is that, with generous sponsorship from Fera via the Healthy Bees Plan, courses this season will be offered for just £75 for the 2 days, including refreshments, light lunches and all of the handouts and consumables. As previously, class sizes will remain small (typically 10-12) and two tutors will be available, ensuring a high degree of individual attention. Here are some of the upcoming courses:
| November | 4, 5 | Honeybee Behaviour new date | Dan Basterfield | Devon |
| December | 1, 2 | Anatomy & Dissection new date | Ken Basterfield | Devon |
| December | 3, 4 | Advanced Husbandry new date | Ivor Davis | Devon |
| December | 6, 7 | Pollen new date & venue | Bob Smith | York |
| February | 1, 2 | Microscopy filling | Ken Basterfield | Devon |
| February | 3, 4 | Adult Bee Diseases | Dan Basterfield | Devon |
| February | 10, 11 | Adult Bee Diseases new date | Dan Basterfield | Kent |
| March | 1, 2 | Pollen new date | Bob Smith | Kent |
So, please take a look at the website – www.national-diploma-bees.org.uk – and see whether you are tempted. The KSRC site in Sittingbourne is the home for several of the courses, so is relatively accessible for us.
With the appointment of David Blower as Education Co-ordinator for the BBKA, the NDB people are hoping more closely to integrate the various training opportunities within the 2 organisations. For example, the early NDB courses mentioned above are particularly targetted to those considering taking the BBKA Module 3 exam (Pests & Diseases) in November.