Vita’s first hangout

Vita held its first «Hangout» yesterday to discuss the secrets of the honeybee bite.

The Hangout on Google+ is like a webcam conference call, but anyone can view it — either live as it happens or after the event. You can see the recorded version below. There were a few sound and vision issues, but the concept really worked and has huge potential for beekeepers.

In the Hangout about the honeybee bite, Claire Waring Editor of Bee Craft and Cassandra, an Italian beekeeper, were able to ask questions of two of the research team: Dr Max Watkins of Vita in the UK and Dr Alex Papachristoforou of the Thessaloniki University in Greece.

Vita is planning further hangouts – if you would like to take part, read on …

Vita’s next planned hangout is for beekeepers to discuss the 2012 season. Was it a good one or a bad one for you?

If you would like to take part, please email as soon as you like.

On each Hangout, there is a limit of about six people who can ask take part in the discussion — though many more can watch.

All you need is a webcam and a reasonable broadband connection and to be signed up to Google+ (it’s free and a bit like Facebook). You can sign up to Google+ here and keep up to date with lots of news, including of course news from Vita.