The ‘most prestigious beekeeping show in the UK, Europe, and possibly the whole world’, The National Honey Show returns this year and will take place from 27 to 29 October 2022.
This unique event has become, over the last 98 years, the culmination of the beekeeping season, following on from local association and county shows, where you may have visited the beekeeping tent. The National Honey Show hosts a stunning display of the very best honey and hive products, plus baking, confectionery, craft, photography, inventions and many other fascinating items. You don’t have to be an expert to enter, all are welcome, in fact there is a huge variety of classes and as we saw last year, newcomers do win trophies. Have a browse through the classes listed in the Schedule as there will be one or more for you, your children or a local school you’re involved with to enter and see your entry as part of the awe inspiring display.
Alongside the honey show itself there is a vibrant trade hall with over 40 exhibitors. As well as suppliers of beekeeping equipment there are jewellery, cosmetics & toiletries, microscopy stands, books (mostly on subjects around bees and beekeeping amazingly), beekeeping associations, many, varied information stands, some from far places, and many more.
As you may know World Bee Day, 20th May each year, encourages everyone to help bees by planting bee friendly plants in their gardens and councils to plant wildflower meadows and leave grass verges to allow wildflowers to bloom. This year, the British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA) is launching a National Honey Day on 21st October 2022, just before our show. This will be to raise the profile of, generate interest in, and appreciate the quality of locally produced honey. You can find out more by visiting the BBKA stand at our show.
Over the three days of our show, our main lecture programme is delivered by eminent bee scientists from across the world. You can view lectures from previous years on the National Honey Show YouTube channel. On the Friday additional lectures organised by Bee Craft magazine feature research by young UK bee scientists. On the Saturday, there is a special programme of lectures for people thinking about beekeeping, just starting, or in the early years. Talks on interesting topics will be delivered by experienced, enthusiastic, approachable beekeepers. All these presentations are of a practical nature that will encourage further learning including advice and tips on how to improve knowledge and techniques.
Alongside all this there is a parallel series of workshops. These are very popular and must be pre-booked via the website as they cater for smaller groups, and are often practical in nature. They offer skep making, cosmetic & toiletry, mead, beer, candle, or wax model making, microscopy, art, photography, queen rearing, bee disease identification and a host of other topics.
This year will be our 99th year as the Kent Beekeepers held the very first National Honey Show at the Crystal Palace in 1923. Since then the show has grown, and had many different venues, and is now held at Sandown Park Racecourse. This is perfect for the show with plenty of on site parking, fabulous facilities to display the competitive exhibits, and with everything including lectures, workshops and trade hall all under one roof.
This year’s show will again take place at Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher, Surrey, from Thursday 27th to Saturday 29th October 2022. The venue offers a vibrant atmosphere where beekeepers and interested visitors can meet up, browse the hall with the stunning display of honey, hive products and crafts, the trade stands, chat about their favourite subject and take a break in the cafeteria between activities. All welcome. come along and join us at the show, and for the latest information visit our website www.honeyshow.co.uk and follow us on social media.
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