My dad's recently expressed an interest in beekeeping.
Notwithstanding the rather laboured joke on my profile, this is entirely in earnest.

If anyone out there knows anything about it, and whether there's such a thing as a beginner's kit, could you gaz me?

EDIT: I'm even changing my icon back to Prodge's bee to demonstrate my bona fides.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Thu 26 Nov 2009, 13:29, 11 replies)

start with a single bee
and work your way up.

(I would recommend going to help at a genuine beekeeper's place for a while, then getting a hive.)
(Sivvus trolley collision in the fruit aisle led to a jam, Thu 26 Nov 2009, 13:31, closed)

beeezy
these are good;

www.bee-craft.com/beekeeping-courses-uk.php
(twiceydrinker hmmm is it pint time?, Thu 26 Nov 2009, 13:37, closed)

Ta!

( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Thu 26 Nov 2009, 13:55, closed)

Ask Sting.

(Bear Pookie The Frankly Challenged. Halloween is coming to town., Thu 26 Nov 2009, 13:37, closed)

I repeatedly read this as book keeping
and thought, quite rightly, wtf?!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 26 Nov 2009, 14:36, closed)

My recommendation would be to buy him a membership of a local beekeeper's association: see this site

www.britishbee.org.uk/getting_started.php
(potato123, Thu 26 Nov 2009, 15:02, closed)

Ayethangyow...
:)
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Thu 26 Nov 2009, 15:38, closed)

Bees are good
Bees are good

Ebeneezer Good.


I do hope this answers your question.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 26 Nov 2009, 16:15, closed)

Small anecdote for you:
My Grandparents used to keep bees, as did a number of others in the area. One day, there was a knock at the front door. Upon answering, there stood a neighbourhood resident holding a matchbox; which was carefully part-opened to reveal a solitary bee within. The neighbour politely asked "Is this one of yours?".
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Thu 26 Nov 2009, 18:06, closed)

Read this as beefkeeping
same thing I suppose
( thyrf as in turf, but not, Sun 29 Nov 2009, 19:37, closed)

Royal (Jelly) Mail
It is legal to send bees by post in the UK. Don't know how you get the stamps to stay on their furry little bodies though.
(skyfriend packaged in a protective atmosphere, for freshness, Wed 2 Dec 2009, 12:44, closed)