What did you think of BBKA new Venue

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Trade stands better than Stoneleigh but apart from Big T pickups were bit iffy at the back.
I had no trouble getting £200 in cash from the portakabin labelled bank (debit card)

Didn't have time to attend any lectures as went on the queen rearing course. Poor weather did not help this.

Talking to others the lecture halls were no bigger than Stoneleigh.

Pre-ordered too much kit and could not get it all in the Rav. Luckily another club member walked past and took some in their car.

Dr.S younger than I imagined.
 
drstitson said:
enjoyed the talks by Jurgen Pflugfelder - interesting to learn that drones stick to DCAs and won't follow virgins outside their chosen zone!!!

Note to self: Must invest in a catapult to allow me to detect DCAs!!!!
Click to expand...

he was a good speaker - relaxed an d funny at times as well as obviously knowing his stuff! I thought that fact was very intersting to, as well as the fact that noone knows what determines a DCA!!
 
Just got back from the weekend and really enjoyed it. Spent way too much (£100 left out of a thousand).

Parking was a too far away.

The best lecture was Philip McCabe. Say's it like it is and a very witty man. I would definitely go to one of his again.
 
I thought Celia Davis was excellent, caught 2 of her lectures, thoroughly enjoyed both, very affable, relaxed and informative.

Bob Smith on bee space, again relaxed and interesting, obviously a wealth of experience and eager to pass it on.

Robert Pickard on the brain was fascinating, good speaker, full of stories. I would have liked to catch his evolution talk but couldn't fit into any permutation with the others - but can't do everything

Yves Le Conte on pheromones - such a huge area of research - so much going on in the hive from the Queen and brood especially - possible future work on using pheromones to manage varroa but early days no no real success so far but who knows!

Diet/Pollen and Foraging & Pollination both presented some good information, especially on foraging and orientation flight patterns.

I would have also liked to catch Changing Combs but again, couldn't fit it it in - can't complain, managed to get all i wanted and could fit in
 
"Dr.S younger than I imagined."

Is that a complement?????

I'm 43 and 2/3 you know!!!!!

Amazing the benefits of NO Kids and plenty of cats.
 
Well I'm just back having set out on Thursday morning. I've learnt the lesson that there's never enough time for everything from previous years, so had booked the accommodation and meals on site.

The organisation, staff, and facilities were excellent. Both the BBKA and catering staff were friendly and helpful, everything just worked. I thought the signage on site was a bit lacking on the Thursday, but by Friday the bee sign posts had appeared and that sorted it out. Within an hour of running around on Friday I'd worked out where all the buildings were, and twigged that there were loos and coffee bars in various buildings (teaching block, library, food tech.) in addition to the obvious portaloos, cafe, and cafeteria.

I know I was fortunate to park close to the action, and am aware that there were great problems for others. I do wonder if the torrential rain had had a hand in this - Thursday's downpour was something to behold - and thus perhaps the distant tarmac parking was 'plan B' when the nearer fields became waterlogged...?

The ~50 car parking area in front of the trade hall did seem woefully inadequately used/policed - should have been exclusively for drop off/collection, with parking wardens there to keep people moving.

I managed to do some shopping first thing, and to scrape in last thing to collect my foundation, but missed the lectures I really wanted to attend, partly due to two overrunning committee meetings and partly due to the sheer amount of socialising. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone I met, put some new faces to names, and can do most of the shopping online anyway! :rolleyes:

The evening catering for those staying on site was excellent. The food was delicious, with ingredients from the College farm, and generous portions from the ever helpful and happy staff. Having missed lectures I managed to share various dinner and breakfast tables with every one of the lecturers except Robert Pickard, and instead prompted a little then listened a lot to gain an insight into their lectures, research, and interests.

My apologies to the lady whom I piled up with recommended books from the 2nd hand stall, and for the chap just behind her (Nic Rhodes perhaps?) who may have just missed some favourites. In my defence I was only trying to help, nice to find people interested in bee books :)

My only regret was that I'd assumed the swimming pool would be closed due to lack of students, so hadn't taken my swimmies, only to find that the pool was outdoors, heated, and very much available for use :(

So all in all I had a great weekend and will be booking up for the full works again next year as soon as it's advertised. The member's day on Friday is definitely recommended to take the strain out of getting to the lectures, and believe me that two days makes the whole event so much more relaxed and civilised that the additional cost is quickly forgotten.
 
victor meldrew said:
I expected more forum subscribers to be there but wasn't spotted ( I was clearly visible ) :hat:
VM
Click to expand...

susbees said:
Badges....no-one in their right mind was wearing a visible T-shirt....
Click to expand...

Being on my first visit to the convention, I was disappointed not to have a way of recognising Forum members. But how thick must I have been not to notice VM?

T-shirts? Naff. Badges? Twee.

Next year, we need to dress in sackcloth and ashes, and walk around ringing handbells, crying aloud, "Unclean! Unclean!".

That should get us noticed. And clear the way to the lectures and trade stands.


Dusty.
 
Danbee
Julie was more than happy to receive the books, and we were all jealous of her bargains, despite (or maybe because of) the reccomender!
She was a bit sus of the chap behind her who then stalked her until she paid!
Eb
 
Got back last night from Harper Adams and overall had a great time. Really nice to speak to other beeks who had the same experience as we had.

Our first year ever:

Pros
Very nice people to help you with your questions
Very nice food and very cheap (thought I got the impression the queen Hall was for pre-paided food only- not the case)
Easy access to teas and coffees and the cakes were divine in the teaching block!
Very good lectures/lecturers
Nice pub just down the road
Lots of toilets around the campus
Found the exhibition hall very laided back and not huge rushing or sharp elbows.
Went to Shropshire lavender and had a lovely time (even had some thunder!)


Cons
Had to get to the lectures AT LEAST half an hour early if not before
Camping- The field was water logged and abit dicey to get onto if you didnt have a 4x4. (However we were warned in advance of the problem)
Toilets for campers were quite far away and nearest showers were communial for the different sexes.
The soap making was so cramped on the first day a couple of our division walked out as they could not get into the room, even though they paid.
Not enough room to get everyone into the lectures
 
Easy Beesy said:
Danbee
Julie was more than happy to receive the books, and we were all jealous of her bargains, despite (or maybe because of) the reccomender!
She was a bit sus of the chap behind her who then stalked her until she paid!
Eb
Click to expand...

Meanwhile the real sus picked up a nice copy of Wedmore and the fascinating H-H Bee Produce illustrated. Even if the vendors were moaning about the venue every third sentence!

The weather was absolutely DIRE with frequent monsoon "showers". I want to give my public thanks to members of our local Shropshire BKAs who freely gave of their time and colonies for the Queen Rearing, Gen Hus and A&D Microscopy courses. Only one back was injured to my knowledge....and we'll be monitoring the Queen Rearing colonies for stress-related after effects!!

And a little bird (JH) told me that the MasterBeek/NDB table did abysmally in the quiz ;).
 
susbees said:
And a little bird (JH) told me that the MasterBeek/NDB table did abysmally in the quiz ;).
Click to expand...

I'll have you know my particular table of NDB/lecturers came in at 2nd place, so my £1 stake returned £6 winnings ;) However we're all left wondering which particular book the beekeeping question answers came out of, and quite how the quizmaster had such large, heavy queens! All good fun though :)
 
jackbee said:
Overall, i thoroughly enjoyed my 2 days (fri/sat), learnt a lot and got more kit than I should have :)

It was my first and i'm v new to this so maybe my keenness made it more bearable :)
Click to expand...
I really enjoyed it too.
Even persuaded OH to come on the Sat and his ticket cost £22 so I am glad the doormen were vigilant!
 
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