The South Gloucestershire Beekeepers' Association honey show is one of the highlights of the season and all members are encouraged to participate.
JOINT AGM AND HONEY SHOW FOR NOVEMBER 2023. SEE PROGRAMME.
Our honey show is usually judged by a “local celebrity” experienced Beekeeper (Mike Hunt in Pictures above 2014) and overseen by our Honey Show secretary Lisa Day.
Schedule of Honey Show Classes
Section 1
The Competitor with the highest aggregate score in classes 1 to 7 shall be awarded the Humphries Tankard. If there is a tie the competitor with the better entry in the Class 8 will be declared the winner.
- Class 1 – One pack of cut comb
- Class 2 – One 1 lb. jar of clear light honey
- Class 3 – One 1 lb. jar of clear medium or dark honey
- Class 4 – One 1 lb. jar of granulated or soft set honey
- Class 5 – One shallow comb suitable for extraction
- Class 6 – One bottle of mead. To be judged by 2 members nominated by Chairman
- Class 7 – One cake of beeswax (approx. 8oz)
- Class 8 – One 1 lb. jar of honey (any colour or granulated)
- ‘GIFT CLASS’ (the exhibits in this class will be retained by the Association to be used to used as gifts to individuals or organisations who have assisted the Association.)
Section 2
The winner will be awarded the Basil Lewis Cup.
- Class 9 – 1 lb jar of honey (any colour, clear or granulated). For members who have never previously won a prize in classes 1 to 4 and have not participated in the honey show more than once previously
Section 3
- Class 10 (entry restricted to Apiary teams) – 2 similar 1lb jars of honey (both to be either clear or granulated). The result of this class will be included in the assessment of the winner of the Apiary Team Trophy.
Section 4
The winner will be awarded a tea towel.
- Class 11 – One honey fruit cake (see recipe)
Section 5
The winner will be awarded the Committee cup.
- Class 12 – Three slides, or three 6″ x 4″ photos connected with bees, or beekeeping Please mount photographs on a card or stiff paper
- Class 13 – Design a honey label suitable for printing
- Class 14 – A product or selection of products in which honey, beeswax or mead has been used, together with other ingredients, e.g. candles, polish or cosmetics, confectionery or desserts
(Exhibitors should be aware that all edible entries may be tasted.)
Recipe for Honey Fruit Cake
- 8 oz self-raising flour
- 8 oz honey
- 4 oz butter (or margarine or mixed)
- 6 oz sultanas
- 2 eggs
- A pinch of salt
Method
Cream butter and honey, beat eggs well and add alternately with sifted flour
and salt (save a little flour to add to sultanas). Beat well. A little milk can
be added, if necessary. Turn in sultanas and stir well. Bake in a well-buttered
7″ diameter tin for 75 to 90 minutes in a moderately heated oven.
No sugar or spices allowed.
Judging
Criteria for judging. (Cakes will be cut in half) Overall appearance. Texture and moistness of crumb. Evenness of distribution of fruit. Taste.
Rules
- All classes are open to Branch members only.
- Entries either by email to the show secretary (preferred) or on the night of the Show and delivered before 7.15 p.m. Any member who knows he/she cannot be present on time should notify the Show Secretary so that preparations can be made.
- Exhibitors must label every exhibit with the label provided by the Show Secretary and no other distinguishing mark shall be permitted.
- All exhibits must be the bonafide produce of the exhibitor’s own bees, or made from their produce.
- No appeals against the Judge’s decision will be entertained.
- Exhibitors may make more than one entry in a class but shall not be entitled to more than one award in any one class.
- The entry fee is 50p per entry. There is no entry fee for the Gift Class.
- A tankard, presented by Dr. N. P. Humphris, will be awarded to the competitor with the highest number of points in any of the first seven classes. In the event of a tie, the winner shall be the competitor with the best entry in the Gift Class. The winner will hold the tankard for one year.
- A tea towel will be awarded to the winner of the honey fruit cake class.
- The cup, presented by the 1985 committee will be awarded to the competitor with the highest number of points in classes 12, 13 & 14. In the event of a tie the judges’ decision will be final. The award is within the discretion of the Judges and Show Secretary. The cup will be held for one year.
- Class 13 will be judged for compliance with current legislation, ingenuity, presentation and quality.
- Points are awarded for each class on the following scale: 3 points for 1st prize, 2 points for 2nd prize, 1 point for 3rd prize. Highly Commended is awarded, but does not attract points.
- A cup presented in memory of Basil Lewis will be awarded to the winner of Class 9.