SOMERSET BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
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Central BRANCH

 Welcome to the Central Branch of Somerset Beekeepers' Association, where you can find all the information you need about joining, contacting and getting involved with the Branch. We're very welcoming and love to talk about bees and beekeeping!
Here you can find out what we're up to with our events calendar, join the Branch or sign up to our beginners' course, as well as contact us.

Honey Show 

 Central Somerset Beekeepers Honey Show 2024 was held in the Bees and Honey Tent at the Mid-Somerset Show in Cannards Grave, Shepton Mallet on Sunday 18 August. The Mid-Somerset Show is the only one day agricultural show in the South-West with free admission to the Show for pedestrians.  It offers a fantastic day out for all the family with wonderful arrays of food and drink, livestock displays, craft stalls, cheese tasting and dog shows.  

The Honey Show includes the Central annual honey and bee-related products competition, with plenty of categories to suit all members.   Members of Central Somerset Beekeepers who exhibited in the Honey Show were also eligible to sell honey and honey products in the very popular and always busy Honey Tent shop. This year, the honey exhibited in the gift classes was donated to the Lawrence Centre, Wells, which is a community-centred charity providing day opportunities for older people, including those living with health issues and memory loss.
 
The Honey Show in Shepton Mallet is a fantastic opportunity for  Central Somerset Beekeepers and all SBKA members to show case their honey and bee and honey-related  products to the general public.  For three years running there have been sufficient entries (over 100) to enable a Blue Riband to be awarded for Best in Show at the discretion of the National Honey Show accredited Chief Judge.  

At the 2024 Honey Show the Blue Riband was awarded to Yvonne Pearson for her outstanding depiction in cake icing of an anatomically correct honey bee, which included labelling the parts.  The Judge also recommended that this winning entry was of such a high standard that it would be eligible to be an entry to be judged at the National Honey Show in October at Sandown Park in Surrey.

 The Honey Tent also featured an observation hive, candle-rolling, topical displays and bee-related information stands and there were plenty of Central Somerset Beekeepers on hand to talk about all things bee-related to the public. 

Central Beekeepers are grateful for the continued support and sponsorship by the Mid-Somerset Agricultural Society, who host the fantastic annual Mid-Somerset Show in Shepton Mallet. Date for your diary:   The next Mid-Somerset Show will be held on Sunday 17 August 2025 at The MidSomerset Showground, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet BA4 4GF.  
N.B.  The 2025
Honey Show schedule is below and the classes range from honey and wax to cakes, biscuits, photos and sculptures.​ 
Interested in knowing more about the honey bee?  Wondering whether beekeeping is for you? Wanting to see inside a beehive in a safe and supportive environment?  Why not come along to our Beekeeping Taster Session on 5 July 2025 in Shepton Mallet?   Click the link below  [Beekeeping Taster Session 2025] for all details. 
Honey Show Schedule 2025

Join THE Central BRANCH

The membership form for 2025 is available below and includes a section on data privacy.  If you are a tax payer and would like Central Branch to claim Gift Aid on your behalf, please also complete the Central Gift Aid form and follow the guidance for payment and return of the forms. Previously registered Central members need only complete the forms if their details have changed. For full insurance coverage, please remember to allow for the maximum number of colonies you might have at the peak of the season.
Central Membership form 2025

Central Gift Aid Form 2025

Beginners' Course 2025

Have you always wanted to keep bees?  Are you interested in finding out more about these fascinating creatures?  Applications to join this 2025 group are now closed but why not come along to our Beekeeping Taster Session in July? 

Central BRANCH events


Beekeeping Taster Session 2025

Contact Info

Contact Central BRANCH
President  Paul Harper - Use Contact Form link above
Chair   Nick Potts - Use Contact Form link above
Vice Chair ​ Lynne Thorne - Use Contact Form link above
Treasurer Mark Jones - Use Contact Form link above
Secretary ​Darren Tune - Use Contact Form link above

Useful Links

  • National Bee Unit document: 
Handling and examining a colony of bees

Useful Documents

Colony Record Card
File Size: 51 kb
File Type: zip
Download File

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Somerset Beekeepers Association Charity © 2021     Registered CIO Charity 1206483
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  • Home
    • Devon Apicultural Research Group (DARG)
  • About
    • About the SBKA
    • History
    • SBKA Board of Trustees
    • Who's Who
    • Support Us
    • Donate to SBKA
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Beginners Courses
    • Advanced Courses
    • Apiary Meetings
    • Honey Shows
    • Lectures & Workshops
  • Members
    • Getting Started >
      • Joining SBKA
      • Introduction to Beekeeping
      • Beginners Courses
      • Life In a Honeybee Colony
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Beekeeping Suppliers
    • Education >
      • How To Guides
      • Video Guides
      • Courses and Qualifications
      • Examinations
    • Useful Links
    • Membership >
      • Benefits
      • Get Involved
      • Vacancies
      • County Membership
    • Members Area >
      • CIO Documentation
      • Members Yearbook
      • Members Blog
      • Former Charity AGM Info
      • Former Charity Council Meetings
      • Financial Info
      • Lecture recordings
      • Policies >
        • Safeguarding Policy
    • Pests & Diseases >
      • Asian hornet
      • Hygiene
      • Reporting Foulbrood
    • SBKA Newsletters
    • Beekeeping Suppliers
    • Research
  • Branches
    • Find Nearest Branch
    • Burnham >
      • Burnham Beginners Course
      • Burnham Improvers Course
      • Contact Burnham
    • Central >
      • Central Beginners Course
      • Contact Central
    • Exmoor >
      • Exmoor Beginners Course
      • Contact Exmoor
    • Frome >
      • Frome Beginners Course
      • Contact Frome
      • Frome Library
      • Frome Group Apiary
    • Mendip >
      • Mendip Beginners Course
      • Contact Mendip
    • Quantock >
      • Quantock Beginners Course
      • Contact Quantock
    • Somerton >
      • Somerton Beginners Course
      • Contact Somerton
    • South East >
      • South East Beginners Course
      • South East Newsletters
      • Contact South East
    • South West >
      • Contact South West
    • Taunton >
      • Taunton Newsletters
      • Taunton Beginners Course
      • Contact Taunton
    • Wedmore & Cheddar >
      • Wedmore & Cheddar Beginners Course
      • Contact Wedmore & Cheddar
    • Yeovil >
      • Yeovil Beginners Course
      • Yeovil Taster Day
      • Yeovil Equipment List
      • Contact Yeovil
  • News
    • Press Releases
    • Image Gallery
    • Resources
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • Report a Swarm
    • Press & Media
    • Local Honey Search
  • Report a Swarm