Our Beds BKA Honey Show and Festival, held on Sunday 21st September 2025 at Redborne School in Ampthill, was a highly successful event.
Honey Show:
- We had 272 entries from 31 entrants – our highest number of entries ever in a honey show.
- Being able to set up the show and accept some entries on the Saturday worked really well – over half of the entries were delivered and displayed on the show benches, which meant those delivering on the Sunday morning had more time and space to unpack, label and display theirs. A lot less stress for everyone in particular the Honey Show Secretary.
- The Judges were all from Yorkshire this time. A lot of judges were not available due to Apimondia being held the following week in Copenhagen. Ivor Flatman, Dave Shannon and Peter Lewis were very complimentary about the quality of the entries, and they commented that they looked forward to seeing some in the National Honey Show at the end of October (entries must be in by 6th October!). In particular, they were impressed with the quality of the entries in class 10 (Novice) which traditionally at other shows does not always feature decent quality exhibits. In our show they were pleased at how well-prepared class 10 entries were, well done to all who entered this class!
- The judges also commented that across the range of classes there were quite a few entries where, had the entrants prepared entries a bit better, might have won a prize. A series of talks for 2026 is being considered to address this. We do have quite a lot of notes on our website https://bedsbka.org.uk/honey-show/preparing-for-the-honey-show/ but sometimes its easier to learn these skills through demonstration and discussion. More news soon!
- Thank you to everyone who entered the honey show, helped set up the show room, stewarded, helped clear up afterwards – and well done to everyone who won a prize card. The trophies are now at the Engravers and will be with the winners as soon as possible.
Sue Lang – Honey Show Secretary
Honey Festival:
- The BedsBKA Honey Festival took place at the same time as the Honey Show – and what a day it was. There were loads of exhibits, honey being sold, apples being pressed, a children’s treasure hunt and games, and of course the main attraction – a display of live bees.
- There were talks for the public, and this time, three talks for beekeepers from the external speakers Peter Lewis, Paul Verrier and Roger Patterson.
- Bedfordshire MP Blake Stephenson attended the show and spent time with the various stallholders before presenting the honey show trophies.
- All in all a good day was had by all both old and young. A huge thanks to all those that helped run the stalls, put up the gazebo, produced teas and coffees, helped tidy up and muscle all the equipment from the stores to the venue. A massive amount of work from everyone to create one of our best honey festivals ever!
Dawn Talats – Honey Festival Organiser