Hi Stiffy,
No maffia in sight and it's a shame you didn't come, but the group are looking to repeat it annually. So maybe next time.
Things any beekeeper could learn, regardless of opinion, that were discussed were:
Record keeping - it's importance, uses and key features in an efficient one.
Queen rearing in a queenright colony...practical considerations gained through experience and discussion of queen raising methods..Jenter and grafting.
Use of apideas.
Introducing queens.
Of course there was talk about BIPCo's work with the native bee, but it is explicitly and repeatedly expressed that this is not to impose on others. Others must do what works for their needs and indeed must be pragmatic above all else. BIPCo regard the whole programme as an experiment and intend to give it a really good go to see if significant improvement of a strain can be achieved. They expect setbacks and disappointments and have had several to date, but have kept positive throughout and intend to keep on improving on as practical a level as is allowed, by the volunteers involved donating their hard work and time.
Above all else, I think it is meant to be empowering to all beekeepers to raise their own queens and resist the temptation to keep importing bees. I think based on that, any beekeeper could learn something, regardless of their persuasion. BIPCo are about as maffia as Gandhi.
