WSBKA Annual Convention 2026

Saturday 28th February 2026

West Sussex Beekeepers' Annual Convention
28th February 2026 9.30am - 4.30pm, Lodge Hill, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 1LZ

The West Sussex 2026 Convention at Lodge Hill, Pulborough, has attracted a great line up of speakers. We anticipate the demand to be particularly keen, so booking is opening early to give members a better opportunity to book. We have an exceptional blend of lectures and seminars to look forward to with the main lectures being presented by Professor Giles Budge, Dr Ben Woodcock and Professor Patricia Wiltshire. There is something for everyone, beginner to expert.

Main lectures:

• Chronic Bee Paralysis, an Emerging Threat to Honeybee Health - Prof Giles Budge
• The Effect of Pesticides on Bees - Dr Ben Woodcock
• Forensic Palynology: Use of Pollen, Spores and other Microscopic Entities, in Criminal Investigation - Prof Patricia Wiltshire

Apart from the 3 main lectures, you can choose to attend 2 out of 6 seminars and in between times it is a great opportunity to catch up with beekeeping friends throughout the County and beyond.

Seminar 1 (You can attend one of these)

1. Climate Change and Bee Health - Prof Giles Budge
2. Smoke but no Mirrors - Making Queen Rearing Do-able - Simon Tuck
3. Winter Losses, Colony Post Mortems and Over Wintering Techniques - Dylan Gussman

Seminar 2 (You can attend one of these)

1. The Apidea - Getting a Lot for a Little - Simon Tuck
2. Guarding Behaviour and Dealing with Defensive Colonies - Dylan Gussman
3. Bees and Honey: Tradition, Myth, Symbol and Magic - Peter Smith

Advance booking per person, WSBKA members £30, Members of other Associations and non-members £40, On the day if space allows £40.

Full details, speaker profiles and the booking process will soon be on the WSBKA website: www.westsussexbeekeepers.org.uk.

Book early to ensure your place on the seminars of your choice. Tea and coffee will be served during the breaks and also a simple lunch.