Holsworthy Beekeepers

More photos of the 2009 Honey show are here

Holsworthy Honey Show – A Celebration in the Face of Adversity

The Holsworthy Honey Show  took place on Saturday, 24 October and, for the first time, was held in the Methodist Church Hall in Bodmin Street, Holsworthy. Formally opened by the Portreeve of Holsworthy, Mr Russell Diamond, local beekeepers, all members of the Holsworthy Branch of Devon Beekeepers Association, put on a very impressive show of the craft of beekeeping, despite the highly publicised challenges that both bees and beekeepers are presently facing. Members were also able to share a taste of honey with visitors who were surprised to find that such a varied range of honeys are produced in the Holsworthy area.

There were displays of honey in all its forms and honey cooking. Some very imaginative wax modelling, particularly by Anne Bentham of Putford, and a fine display of bees wax candles celebrated this particular aspect of beekeeping. All this was complimented by an excellent range of bee related photographs. Of particular interest was the model bee measuring over three feet long. This was shown for the first time at this year’s Devon County Show and again attracted a significant amount of interest from the public.

Another first for the show this year were the art classes, open to local primary school children. Youngsters were invited to draw a picture of beekeeping interest. Judging their work was local artist, Norma Brookhouse, who was impressed by the variety and standard of the entries. The class for younger children was won by Ryan Seymour Smith from Holsworthy Primary School and for older children by Casey Richards from Bradworthy Primary School.

A number of the entries in the show classes were the subject of very favourable comments from the show judge, Steve Ide from Exmouth, who regularly judges at Devon County Show.

Mr Ide awarded local beekeeper, Christopher Smith from Chilsworthy, the accolade of ‘Best in Show’ for his light honey, which also won him the Stanley Rowland Cup. Anne Bentham and Andrew Sluggett from Bradworthy shared the Penfold Cup for their achievements in the craft and cookery classes.

Details of the 2010 show  will appear later in 2010

Branch honey show and school art competition

For the Branch, the end of the bee keeping year is marked by the annual honey show. This gives the members an opportunity to compete against each other to see who (or rather whose bees!) have produced the best honey during the year. As well as the usual range of honeys there are classes for wax, cooking with honey, photographs and associated bee keeping items. All the classes are judged by an experienced regional honey show  judge.

The 2009 show  is being held on Saturday 24 October at Holsworthy Methodist Church Hall, Bodmin Street, Holsworthy. EX22 6BB (map)

Staging of entries starts at 8:00 am

Entries must be staged by 9:00 am

Judging will start at 9:00 am

Show open to the public at 11:00 am

Download copies of the: schedule  rules  entry form

Further details from the Honey Show Secretary

The downloads require Adobe Acrobat, Download the latest version of the FREE Adobe Reader by clicking the image

.

School art competition

Again in 2009 there will be two classes for local school children to enter  - full details on the schedule.