Next Saturday, 27th March, will be the WBKA virtual Convention.  Rather than cancelling the Convention for a second year, due to covid restrictions, the WBKA Events Team have organised a virtual event which we hope Association members will fully support. Please circulate these details widely and ask all your beekeeping friends and acquaintances to visit the link to the convention webpages on the WBKA website.  The attached flyer gives all the details of how to register for the speakers and to join the drop in chat sessions during the day. Details of how to join these are also on the website along with our virtual trade show. The event is totally free and open to anyone whether or not they are WBKA members.

Our speakers will cover beekeeping in Ireland (Paul O’Brien), which flowers bees choose to visit (Dr Laura Jones) and why some colonies are resistant to varroa (Prof. Stephen Martin).  Our final webinar is the ever popular Question and Answer session where the audience can question a panel of expert beekeepers on any beekeeping topics. These sessions all require attendees to preregister (links are given on the attached flyer or can be found on the convention webpages).

Also on the day are drop in sessions that you do not need to preregister for – just use the link at the appropriate time.  During these sessions you can talk to members of the WBKA team.  The 11.45 to 12.45 session is your opportunity to ask about practical assessments such as the Basic Husbandry etc.  At 10.15 and 12.45 there are more general sessions where you can ask about or suggest anything that is relevant to the WBKA.  

WBKA Convention 2021 – flyer(1)

Dear Beekeepers

As you are all aware, the WBKA Convention, in its normal format as a face to face event at the Royal Welsh Showground, has had to be cancelled for a second year due to the pandemic.  In its place, the WBKA Events Team has organized a Virtual Convention and we really hope that you and your members will support this.  You can access all the details at https://convention.wbka.com/

There will be 4 webinar sessions including an opening address, two main lectures, and an ever popular Question Time session.  More details, and the links to register, can be found in the attached leaflet, as well as via the website.  Opening the registration links will give you full details of the talks and speakers. Registration is free and open to all. 

There will also be a series of ‘drop-in’ sessions.  There is no need to register in advance to join these – just click the link (or join by phone) using the details in the attached leaflet, or the website.  This is your chance to talk to the WBKA team on any matter.  Maybe you would like to see the WBKA supporting beekeepers and bees in a specific way; you may wish to know more about beekeeping assessments and modules; you can ask about the current vacancies in the WBKA team and learn what skills and commitment would be involved should you consider volunteering. Your feedback and suggestions are very valuable to the team and help us ensure that the WBKA supports you, the beekeepers of Wales, in the best way possible. We really want to hear from you.

Of course, many of you visit the convention to purchase equipment etc.  You can visit our virtual Trade Hall via the website where you will find links to our trade exhibitors.  Many have provided additional information on their products including video content so do have a look and start that shopping list! 

The various charities you so generously support when you visit the WBKA Convention have not been forgotten.  You can also visit them in the virtual Trade Hall.  Do please make a donation if you can to support the valuable work they continue to do. 

We know that a virtual convention is not what most of us would choose but we do hope you will support this alternative until we can again meet face to face. 

As well as on the website and in the WBKA Convention 2021 – flyer, details and registration links can be found on our Facebook page.  Please share as widely as possible in whatever way suits you best.

We are looking forward to seeing as many as possible of you on the day – Saturday March 27th.