Dear Paul
I’m sorry to say I have decided not to come after all. It does seem rather far
and I am not ready to learn his methods. I look forward to hearing about them
though!I’m sure it will be very interesting.
Best wishes
Mary
On 10 Sep 2019, at 09:09, Oxnatbees <oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
This is a reminder that we have a group visit to Ron Hoskin's apiary in a few
days.
His website is here: www.swindonhoneybeeconservation.org.uk
Although most of our events are free, he has asked that visitors make a
donation to Swindon Honeybee Conservation on the day to support their work in
developing varroa resistant bees.
To summarise their approach: they have parallel interests to us (treatment
free beekeeping), but have approached the problem from a very different
angle, using their skills in conventional bee breeding. Their system works,
but is ignored by the BBKA. I am not sure how stable their bee strain is, but
it is probably safe for us to use (without creating fierce crosses), as his
original stock was from this area.
The weather forecast is sunny, so assume we will be walking among flying
bees, i.e. take a veil (or a full suit if you are paranoid). Last time I went
there were 80 hives but the bees ignored us.
Here are his directions for finding the place:
My apiary and office are within Stanton Country Park, near Stanton
Fitzwarren. north of Swindon on the A361 from Lechlade,
With Highworth behind you head toward Swindon.
Immediately after the first roundabout turn right.
Stanton Park is about 300 metres on the left.
The post-code SN6 7SF will get you to this point
Take the long drive into the park to the car park and turn right
Park behind the large barn
Enter the adjacent Information Centre and my office is on the first floor on
the left.
