BIBBA: Supporting Practical Beekeeping
The 2023 BIBBA conference will be held in Carmarthen on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd September.
To help those travelling a long distance, the facility will be open to attendees from midday Friday 1st September.
There will be a wide variety of topics to suit all beekeepers with two streams:-
- “Early Years” for beekeepers who are developing their knowledge and skills and want to move on from what they may have been taught as beginners.
- “Later Years” is aimed at beekeepers who wish to move on from the knowledge and skill they have acquired by keeping bees for several years.
The topics have been selected to help attendees increase their knowledge with some thought-provoking ideas and information
We believe this conference will enthuse attendees, who should expand their knowledge to help them understand and care for their bees better. As this is a BIBBA event, it will especially appeal to those who are committed to keeping locally adapted bees that are sustainable, healthy and productive.
In a departure from the usual beekeeping conference, the majority of the presentations will be followed by a panel session that will discuss wider issues that are associated with the topic. This will give different views and the audience the chance to ask those challenging questions.
To help those travelling a long distance, the facility will be open to attendees from midday Friday 1st September. There is an option of a town walk in the afternoon and a talk and quiz in the evening. There is no charge for Friday, apart from evening meal (book separately)
click the speaker's name to see more information
History and Traditions of Bee Keeping in Wales
Beekeeping on a Budget
Why we should encourage drones and how we can do it
Queen rearing with just a couple of hives
Beekeeping with a full-time job
Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV). One BKAs experience
BIBBA: Supporting Small-Scale Commercial Beekeepers
Identifying varroa resistant traits
Lessons from the Bee Shed
Native, near-native, locally adapted or imported?
Genetic priorities for honey bee conservation and their application in a new Dark Bee reserve
Colony assessment: How to identify top performers
Producing locally adapted queens is more fun than buying them
The Tropilaeplaps mite - Varroa’s exotic house mate!
Making a living from Locally Adapted Bees
The KISS approach to beekeeping
all titles, speakers and sessions are subject to change
University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Carmarthen, Wales. SA31 3EP

Carmarthen is reputed to be the oldest town in Wales and has significant Roman remains. There is ample accommodation and camp/caravan/motorhome sites nearby and plenty to see locally for non-beekeeping partners.
https://www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/

How to get there:
Carmarthen is close to the west end of the M4, with good access to the motorway network. There is a rail station. Fishguard Ferry Port is about an hour by road or rail. The nearest airports are Bristol (bus only) or Cardiff (very limited flights, but rail service). See also Travelling to Carmarthen | University of Wales Trinity Saint David (uwtsd.ac.uk) for more information.

Accommodation On Campus
Single en-suite rooms are available to book directly with the university through the link below.
We have negotiated a very favourable rate of £43 a night which includes breakfast.
Evening meals are available as an option
- Friday & Sunday - £17 for two courses
- Saturday - £21.54 for three courses
The venue has now closed for bookings and is unable to take any further bookings for accommodation, lunch, or refreshments for the BIBBA Conference.
We are able to offer attendance only at the Conference at £99 for two days, £60 for one but this will not include lunch or refreshments on the day. Payment by card on arrival; online booking has now closed.
There will be meals available at the Merlin restaurant for you to purchase.
Be assured we have made every effort with the University to find accommodation and catering for all delegates but for those booking after the online deadline this has regretfully not been possible. However a search on Google reveals many options for accommodation locally.
There is a car park charge at £5 for 24 hours, fixed by the University. Payment by card.