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.
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 2026
Central Somerset Beekeepers Honey Show 2026 will be held in the Bees and Honey Tent at the Mid-Somerset Show, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet BA4 4GF on Sunday 17 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.
Last year, there were over 100 entries in the honey show which meant that the accredited judge was able to bestow, at her discretion, a Blue Ribbon Award from the National Honey Show for the best entry. In 2025, the Blue Ribbon was awarded to Mark Jones for his entry in Class 27: two jars of light honey.
Please find below the schedule for the Honey Show 2026. All Central members and their families are encouraged to enter - even if your honey yields are low (or non-existent!), there are plenty of classes to choose from, including photography, craft in all forms and cookery, (where you don't need to use your own honey).
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.
Last year, there were over 100 entries in the honey show which meant that the accredited judge was able to bestow, at her discretion, a Blue Ribbon Award from the National Honey Show for the best entry. In 2025, the Blue Ribbon was awarded to Mark Jones for his entry in Class 27: two jars of light honey.
Please find below the schedule for the Honey Show 2026. All Central members and their families are encouraged to enter - even if your honey yields are low (or non-existent!), there are plenty of classes to choose from, including photography, craft in all forms and cookery, (where you don't need to use your own honey).
beekeeping TASTER SESSION 2026
Interested in knowing more about the fascinating world of the honey bee? Why not come along to our Beekeeping Taster Session on Saturday 11 July in Shepton Mallet? Get up close and personal with several thousand bees, see what it really looks like inside a bee hive and ask all the questions you've always wanted to know. Full safety equipment and light refreshments will be provided - all you need to bring are wellies and rubber gloves!
Below are two links - one for the poster advertising the session and one containing the registration form for you to complete and return with payment as requested. For any other queries, please contact Lin at [email protected]
Below are two links - one for the poster advertising the session and one containing the registration form for you to complete and return with payment as requested. For any other queries, please contact Lin at [email protected]
Yellow-legged asian hornets
The yellow-legged hornet (vespa velutina) is an invasive non-native species that poses a threat to native insect populations. It is a highly effective predator that can devastate honey bee colonies and harm other native pollinators.
What can we do to reduce their impact?
Put out monitoring traps that you can check regularly and report any sightings on the Asian Hornet Watch App. Check the button below for a simple and cheap monitoring trap.
What can we do to reduce their impact?
Put out monitoring traps that you can check regularly and report any sightings on the Asian Hornet Watch App. Check the button below for a simple and cheap monitoring trap.
Join Central BRANCHThe Central Branch Membership and Gift Aid Form 2026 is available below. Please complete and return the form, including the section(s) on data privacy and gift aid (if applicable). For full insurance coverage, please remember to allow for the maximum number of colonies you might have at the peak of the season. |
Central BRANCH events |
Useful Links
Handling and examining a colony of bees
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Useful Documents
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