WBKA Spring Convention

[Erichalfbee]

Does anybody know what time the lectures are.
I'm pushed for time but want husband to watch the one by Wally Shaw.

 

[Roger]

11.45: Wally Shaw, OBE: 'Reactive Swarm ontrol'

http://www.wbka.com/events/spring-convention-2015/

 

[dn170221]

Will it be available online afterwards for those not able to attend?

 

[Swarm]

Reactive swarm control booklet was sent out with the Welsh Beekeeper.

 

[Tremyfro]

We are going .....it will be our first bee show....I guess we will bee on out maiden flight!!! Ha ha....really looking forward to it.

 

[jd101k2000]

This will be my second. Last year I was amazed - I turned up early and there were lots and lots of people streaming out of the show with cart-loads of goodies.

I thought they were all leaving the show... but they had pre-ordered and were getting everything into their vehicles before returning to the show.

Last year there were some good offers on. Take your wallet/purse!

 

[Obee1]

I'm going! It will be my first bee show. Looking forward to wally shaw talk too.
Obee

 

[Tremyfro]

I can't wait to see all the things only pictured in the catalogues. Easier to make up your mind when you can see them...in the flesh...as it were.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

See you all that are going tomorrow

And no trying to sneak in without paying - I'm on the door for the first stint!

 

[Tremyfro]

We would not dare to sneak in.....but I'm very short ...you may not notice me.

 

[jd101k2000]

Was a great show - interesting talks, nice chats with folk and, of course, the amazing vanishing act. (Where tons of bee keeping equipment magically disappears from the trade hall - all at discount prices.)

 

[Erichalfbee]

Much busier than last year which is encouraging. Thornes brought their BIG lorry and Wynne Jones quadrupled their advance orders.
I had to cut and run but managed to spend too much, fill the camper with kit, get to Wally's lecture and say a quick hello to JBM, Redwood and Swarm

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

11.45: Wally Shaw, OBE: 'Reactive Swarm ontrol'

http://www.wbka.com/events/spring-convention-2015/

Will it be available online afterwards for those not able to attend?

Spoke to Jenny - she didn't bother going in to wally's talk as she hears enough of his blabbing (her words not mine) it was being recorded and will be available on the website shortly - apologies if the website is a bit creaky - it ain't been right from the start and they're fixing it as we speak - shoud be up and running in a few months. I didn't get in as it was too crowded and i wouldn't have enjoyed standing at the back!Wally has promised he'll come down later in the year to give the same lecture at our WBKA though.
It was a good convention - biggest crowd I've seen there and Maisies had to top up the display more than once they had their new poly nucs on display - national deep and top feeder for £26.00!! (and I just bought three Paynes ones with ekes in their sale! but I bought one anyway - they'd all been sold within fifteen minutes of opening. Managed (only just) to get all mine and the association's pre-order stuff into the jeep and more importantly unpacked and into the chamber of secrets without SWMBO noticing how much of it was actually mine.
Nice to meet again with some old acquaintances and make a few new friends, had a bit of 'fun' with two Oirish characters who were determined not to pay to get in (they lost) - also had a very rewarding chat with the bees abroad team with regards to a further Lesotho ptoject

 

[Tremyfro]

Fab...what a great day! Up at 6am....sorted the horses ....and off to the WBKA Conference. A beautiful drive over the Brecons and along the valley to Builth. We had no idea what to expect as this was our first foray to a Beekeepers Do.
There were quite a few companies with lots of Bee goodies. Loads of books. Talks.
We got into Wally Shaws talk....having read his booklet...it was a great follow up and consolidated the Pre emptive and Reactive aspects of swarm control that I had read about.
We arrived just before 10am...in time to admire the huge pile of wood just inside the Trade room. Couldn't resist buying some shallows for our honey supers...great price...although having developed 'frame hands' and 'frame brain'....they may have to wait to be put together! Also purchased a Maisemoors nuc.....so will be able to compare its performance with Paynes one. We also bought a few other bits and pieces but considering we only actually needed a marker pen for this years queens......!
We also met some new friends and talked to the ladies on the WBKA stand.
Saw some Nosema bugs under the microscope...won't forget what they look like!
Then drove home in the afternoon through driving rain...back in time for tea!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

We arrived just before 10am........................
Then drove home in the afternoon through driving rain...back in time for tea!

And never even said hello.........................

 

[jd101k2000]

Here is a before and after on the Maisemore stall. (The other stalls were going as fast, but were not in such good positions for photography.)

These photos were taken 5 hours apart, the stall was refreshed several times during the course of the day... and pre-orders were dispensed from a lorry outside.

(Apologies - photos are in the wrong order... it wasn't a returns day!)

 

[Swarm]

Well I went in disguise and still got spotted. We were only after a few odds and ends so me and the Boss just enjoyed the day out, that was until emergency action was required to loosen the the over enthusiastically applied wrist band, courtesy of JBM (obviously still zip-tying victims in his mind )
Nice to have a chat with Redwood and his mates and Erichalfbee and husband.
Look forward to seeing you all again next year

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Here is a before and after on the Maisemore stall. (The other stalls were going as fast, but were not in such good positions for photography.)

These photos were taken 5 hours apart, the stall was refreshed several times during the course of the day... and pre-orders were dispensed from a lorry outside.

(Apologies - photos are in the wrong order... it wasn't a returns day!)

Judging by the 'before' photo that was quite a few minutes in and the pile of poly nucs in the left hand corner was after the lads topped it up from the last of the reserve stock in the vans.I can time it as the person facing the camera seen over the shoulder of the man in the right foreground is our own 'Dangerous Davies' ex copper and sandal wearer's guru of WGBKA!!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Well I went in disguise and still got spotted. We were only after a few odds and ends so me and the Boss just enjoyed the day out, that was until emergency action was required to loosen the the over enthusiastically applied wrist band, courtesy of JBM (obviously still zip-tying victims in his mind )
Nice to have a chat with Redwood and his mates and Erichalfbee and husband.
Look forward to seeing you all again next year

Just getting into interesting chat about shortcomings of Wally Shaw's reactive swarm control but I was under starters orders....husband itching to get home so will come on my own next year and stay longer.

 

[mbc]

I too left early as my passenger had clearly had enough, shame as question time is normally good value.
As to the pile of maisy poly nucs, I was hoping I'd be making my own dent but on examining them was disappointed to find they have no bee space between frame and feeder so thought better of getting some