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 2026.
The 2026 SGBKA AGM and Honey show takes places Tuesday 17th November 2026, held at The Swan, Thornbury.
Entries from 7:00pm, judging at 7:30pm
(Exhibitors should be aware that all edible entries may be tasted.)
Schedule of Honey Show Classes
Section 1
The Competitor with the highest aggregate score in classes 1 to 8 shall be awarded the Humphries Tankard.
If there is a tie the competitor with the better entry in the Class 2 will be declared the winner.
- Class 1 – One pack of cut comb (approx. 8 oz)
- 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
- Class 7 – One cake of beeswax (approx. 8oz)
- Class 8 – Two beeswax candles (one to be lit by the judge)
Section 2
The winner will be awarded the Basil Lewis Cup.
- Class 9 – One 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
The winners of classes 10 and 11 each receive a Tea Towel.
- Class 10 – One honey fruit cake (see below for the recipe and judging rules)
- Class 11 – Any other cooked / uncooked edible product incorporating honey (sweet or savoury)
Section 4
The winner will be awarded the Committee cup.
- Class 12 – 1 item of artwork connected with bees, or beekeeping. Artwork includes, paintings, drawings, photographs, ceramics. Please mount photographs on a card or stiff paper. Items submitted must be smaller in all dimensions than a sheet of A4 paper.
- Class 13 – A product or selection of products (non-food) in which honey, beeswax or mead has been used, together with other ingredients, e.g. polish or cosmetics. Excludes candles (see Class 8)
Section 5
The winner will be awarded a new hive tool.
- Class 14 – Practical invention or device by the exhibitor, directly related to beekeeping. Live bees are not permitted.
- Class 15 – 1 x Asian Hornet Trap. Trap to be based on the design available on the NBU website. http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/downloadNews.cfm?id=122
Best in Show
The 2022 Committee Shield will be awarded to the competitor who, in the judge’s opinion, enters the best jar of honey in the Show (Class 2, 3, 4 or 9).
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.
Criteria for judging (Cakes will be cut in half)
- Overall appearance
- Texture and moistness of crumb
- Evenness of distribution of fruit
- Taste
Rules of the SGBKA Honey Show
1. All classes are open to Branch members only.
2. Entries at the event are permitted from 7:00pm. Any member who knows they cannot be present on time should notify the Show Secretary so that preparations can be made.
3. Exhibitors must label every exhibit with the label provided by the Show Secretary and no other distinguishing mark shall be permitted.
4. All exhibits must be the bonafide produce of the exhibitor’s own bees or made from their produce.
5. No appeals against the Judge’s decision will be entertained.
6. Exhibitors may only make one entry in a class.
7. Entry to the Honey Show is free.
8. 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.
9. A tankard, presented by Dr N P Humphris, will be awarded to the competitor with the highest number of points in section 1. In the event of a tie, the winner shall be the competitor with the best entry in Class 2. The winner will hold the tankard for one year.
10. A cup presented in memory of Basil Lewis will be awarded to the winner of Class 9.
11. The Committee Cup, presented by the 1985 committee, will be awarded to the competitor with the highest number of points in Section 4. In the event of a tie the judges’ decision will be final. The winner will hold the cup for one year.
12. The competitor with the highest number of points in Section 5 will be awarded with a new hive tool.
13. The 2022 Committee Shield will be awarded to the competitor who enters the best jar of honey in any of Classes 2, 3, 4 or 9.