Randalstown & District Beekeepers Association - Mock Honey Show

R&DBKA held its first ever Mock Honey Show at the Arches Community Centre on Tuesday 28th August.

The event, open to all was to encourage beekeepers to enter Honey Shows, which are held all over the North of Ireland, by demonstrating what the judges are looking for and how to prepare their honey and bee produce so that it least ends up on the judges benches and is not eliminated in the early rounds.

Elmer Kennedy, Chairman of R&DBKA welcomed everyone who attend and especially those who had brought items for discussion. Elmer then handed over to Gail Orr, honey judge and his two honey judge colleagues, Billy Douglas and Cecil McMullan.

Gail and his colleagues, who had brought with them stands and exhibits talked about all the different classes in honey shows and demonstrated what was required by discussing most of the honey and bee produce on display. They talked about preparation of not only the honey but also containers, jars and displays.

Everyone had the opportunity to examine the honey as well as taste and judge the thickness. As well as honey jars, the audience were also able to learn about showing frames, sections, cut combs, mead, candles, wax cakes and honey cake.

Elmer concluded the evening by congratulating Gail, Cecil and Billy on a most interesting evening. Several beekeepers agreed to enter shows as a result of what they had learned.

The evening finished with tea, coffee and honey cake!!

PS Caroline, John, Susie and Elmer entered Dromore Honey Show on Saturday 1st September and as a result of the advice given at this event and Michael's recent talk at Mid Antrim on "Preparing Honey for Shows" , between them they won:

2 x 1sts - including Supreme Run Honey

1 x Very Highly Commended

3 x 2nd

2 x Highly Commended. 1 x 3rd



Congratulations to them all.

| Updated: 9.9.2007 |