First on the list is not to go out and buy any equipment or bees.  Your local association will have spare suits/veils etc so all you need to do is turn up with appropriate footwear - with wellington boots or similar being the best.  You will learn what is really required and where it is best to buy.

Next is to get stung - several times - to find out whether you (and your body) can handle it.  No point in spending a load of money and then finding out that it is not for you.

I have run many beginner sessions and stood there holding a worker ready to apply the sting to a volunteer - and usually there are no volunteers!  Amazing how they all seem to think that thick gloves will enable them to keep bees without ever getting stung!

Best wishes

Peter 
52°14'44.44"N, 1°50'35"W

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