​Somerset auction of beekeeping equipment

Chris Harries presiding over Taunton Division's equipment auction

Beekeepers from across the South West started the season at an equipment auction held in Taunton on Sunday (March 25).
Eager to get prepared and grab a bargain, they bid for more than 120 lots during a two-hour sale run by Taunton Beekeepers.
 Auctioneer Chris Harries, in his 32nd year presiding on the podium,  said: “At this time of the year beekeepers are getting ready for the coming season.
 “There was some strong interest in complete hives and we sold scores of hive parts and useful equipment,” he said.
 The lots were varied and included top bar hives, equipment to extract and bottle honey, decorative honey pots, protective suits, back copies of beekeeping magazines and an observation hive.
Peter Maben, Chair of Taunton Beekeepers, commented: "Once again, our annual auction was extremely well supported by buyers, sellers and a great team of volunteers led by our auctioneer Chris.”
The auction raised hundreds of pounds for Taunton Beekeepers to spend on educational activities for its members and to promote beekeeping at local schools and events.
ends
Notes to editors:

• Taunton Division, which has 165 members, works to advance the craft of apiculture and to promote general awareness and understanding of honeybees.
• Taunton opened its new teaching centre at the apiary in 2014.
• Heatherton Park apiary is a designated sentinel apiary for detecting the small hive beetle and the Asian hornet.
• Taunton is staging the County Honey Show will be held on August 5 and 6 within Taunton Flower Show.
• www.somersetbeekeepers.org.uk