The 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
Our annual Honey Show, run to National Honey Show rules, is where beekeepers and others submit their honey, wax items, cookery and craft items related to bees and beekeeping for judging by experienced judges, with rosettes and trophies awarded to winners. There are entry classes not only for our members but also for other beekeepers and the public. See below for how to enter.
Our Honey Festival (10.30am to 4pm) is a fun day for all with stalls and talks throughout the day. Tasting and sales of local honey are always popular. There will be live bees on display, children’s crafts, candle rolling, talks such as “So You Want To Be A Beekeeper” and “Gardening For Bees”. Do come along, we would love to see you..
Honey Show – Entrant Instructions
Completed entry forms to be returned to: Sue Lang (Honey Show Secretary). 154a Lower Shelton Road, Marston Moretaine. Beds. MK43 0LS (e-mail: bedfordshirehoney@hotmail.co.uk tel: 07522 559010). By midnight Sunday 14th September 2025.
Please refer to the Entry Form and the Rules for full details/requirements for classes entered.
- Rules for 2025 – please make sure you follow these rules to ensure that all your hard work is judged!
- Entry form – you can access the entry form in either of the following ways:
- downloading the form and submitting it by mail or email – Entry Form 2025
- filling in an online form using this link – Online Entry Form (no longer active)
For more information about the show and how to exhibit, please refer to the following links:
- Labelling Exhibits
- Recipes
- Awards for 2025 – details of the awards given for various classes
Honey Show Programme:
Saturday 20th September
- 9am to 12 noon
- Set up of show room, covering tables, arranging displays etc.
- Helpers welcome!
- 12 noon to 3pm
- Entries can be delivered, labelled and placed on show tables.
- Trophies can be returned to Show Secretary (Sue Lang).
Sunday 21st September
- 08:30 to 09:45.
- Entries can be delivered, labelled and placed on show tables.
- Trophies can be returned to Show Secretary (Sue Lang).
- 10am to 2pm (hopefully 1pm)
- Show judging
- Restricted viewing only whilst judging takes place.
- 2pm to 4pm.
- Show can be viewed by members and public.
- 4pm
- Trophies presented to winners in Connolly Building Auditorium.
- 4:30pm
- Show entries can be retrieved, room cleared by 5:30pm.