Annual Honey Show
Our Annual Honey Show is gaining momentum as the place to be on a dark evening in October with opportunities for every member to showcase their hive products – whether it’s runny honey, wax candles or something else!
Something for everyone
New to bees or new to showing? We have a class for you. First-year keepers, those with a few seasons, and seasoned beekeepers who have never entered before are all welcome.
Last year the show was buzzing: full classes, friendly faces, and keen but good-natured competition. It is fast becoming a favourite, and we would love you to help it grow.
Artistic flair, a talent in the kitchen, or clever ways to use hive products beyond honey, there is something to spark everyone’s interest.
Our show thrives on the “more the merrier” spirit. If you have never entered, or it has been a while, come along and join in. Celebrate your bees, show their produce at its best, and enjoy yourself. Entries are free, so you have nothing to lose.
2025 Show Report
We once again enjoyed staging our annual Honey Show on 10th October, by kind courtesy of the Wootton Wawen Village Hall Committee thanks to the Denis Keytes bequest. Denis was a very keen beekeeper as many of you will know and a cornerstone of our association, as well as being an active resident of Wootton Wawen
Paul Moorehouse, from Avon Beekeepers was the invited judge for the evening. As he worked his way along the benches, he freely advised on how to best present the exhibits to all attendees.
The most popular class was a ‘blind tasting’ class, with all jars wrapped in foil. In this instance it was Claudia Marcus’s honey that tickled the judges taste buds – but what we’d all like to know is whether it was her special dark honey (from Chestnut – does anyone know?) or the more mainstream medium honey. Who could tell?
The evening isn’t reserved for honey alone as other products of the hive are included in the competition, with classes for wax, candles – which are lit so their burn and smoke factor can be judged – mead (honey wine), arts and even cakes. There were 7 fabulous Honey Fruit Cakes on the bench – all made to the same recipe and all different.
Such a tall order for the judge that he brought in Julie and Nicky to help out – well done girls, they chose Mike Forsters cake – one of the two ‘Mr.’ bakers. Mike had already shown his expertise with some beautiful candles. Beekeeper, baker and candlestick maker?
The winner of the cherished Waldron Trophy for the best 2 jar exhibit was Dave Turner, with his two jars of naturally crystallized honey, George Lea received the ‘championship’ cup – the Denis Keyte Trophy for gaining the most points. The cookery prize went to Mike Forster for his Honey Fruit Cake and Lucy Britnell, who completed the Introduction Course just this year won the New Beekeeper prize.
The kitchen proved a popular ‘hub’ for refreshments and the cakes were very popular so thank you to all those who had taken the time for extra baking.
Also thank you to everyone who turned out earlier in the afternoon to turn the village hall into a venue fit for a Honey Show.
Frequently Asked Questions
I can’t make the date of the show, can I still enter?
Yes – we would love to see you at the show but understand that this isn’t always possible. If you can’t make the date and have entries you’d like to make, please complete and submit
the online entry form and we can arrange a suitable time to drop off your entries at my home in Luddington the week prior to the show. I will put them on the show bench on your behalf then bring your entries back after the show, along with any prizes, for collection.
I don’t have any 1lb honey jars, can I still enter?
Yes – honey entered into Class 10 can be in any size jar. This honey is judged on taste, aroma and
viscosity only.
What is the charge for entry?
Entering your honey is free, entrance to the show is free – even the refreshments are free!
Is there a limit to the number of classes I can enter?
No – as long as you comply with the rules, you can enter as many classes as you choose. Points
gained for placings go towards a total score at the end of the evening and the Denis Keyte Trophy is awarded to the exhibitor who has gained the most points overall.
I’ve never entered a honey show before – where do I start?
Take a look at our Tips for Showing Honey guide which we’ve put together to help you get started.
There’s also lots of information online.
Does my honey have to be labelled?
No – please don’t put any identifying marks on the jars. You will be given stickers with numbers on before you put your honey on a bench. It’s all about anonymity.
I’m a beginner – what is the best class to enter?
Classes 8a and 8b are specifically for anyone who is a novice at showing honey. You are welcome to have a go at any of the open classes too, but you are classed as a Novice until you win a first prize at a Honey Show.
Should I decorate my cake?
No – Please make the cake according to the recipe and only add decoration to a ‘decorated cake’ class.
Is there parking close to the Village Hall?
Yes – Wootton Wawen Village Hall is blessed with plenty of parking space.
Will I get my exhibits back?
Yes – with the exception of the gift class (9) you can take your exhibits home. The Gift class, however, is a valuable resource to your association to use as ‘thank you’s’ for kindnesses offered to us over the year by various non-beekeepers, so we do urge you to make an entry in this class if you are able.
Do I have to stay for the open judging?
No – you are welcome to drop off your exhibits and return at 9.45 for the prize giving or tell me
you aren’t returning and I will take your exhibits and prizes back with me for collection at your
convenience.
I don’t have any honey this year – can I still come to the show?
Yes – We would love to see you there and you will learn a lot about presenting honey to show it off to its best. There are some classes you might like to enter in the Crafts Section but you don’t need to enter anything. And there’s cake……