Hiho!  I am a very cold beekeeper in Northern Ontario, Canada (there is
a kicker of a snowstorm as I write), and my sister just moved to Maidenhead
of all things--she works in Redding, Readding?  Regardless, I hear that
the Buckfast queens groom varroa and teach the behaviour.  I believe the
monks name is Brother Adam of Buckfast Abbey, but you probably know this.
I have now passed on what little of know of UK beekeeping.  I am a
hobbiest, too.  My bees endure very cold weather--and die on mass-- in the
winter.  If my hive goes into the winter at full tilt, I may have as few
as 2000 to 3000 in the spring, but then they build like mad.  Welcome to
the line.  Cheers, Jane