Honey show classes: A guide for competitors, organisers and judges

This book has been written as a guide for everyone involved with honey shows, be it organising, exhibiting or judging. If on the day of the show the book has helped to achieve successful organisation, high standards of exhibiting, well-written and unambiguous honey show schedules, increased interest in honey shows, and more applicants for the BBKA Show Judge certificate, the writing of the book will have been worthwhile.

The chapter on show management is intended as a guide both for large shows and for minor, branch association shows. What is not understood is that larger shows are very often easier and require less work, since County, Floral and Agricultural shows have the resources, facilities and show management that make organisation somewhat simpler for the Honey Section show manager. In contrast the show manager of small shows may be responsible for all the show organisation required, both prior to the show and during the showing period. Hopefully the reader will find in this chapter a simplified but comprehensive guide of show management.

When competing in honey shows you should always enter to win. This book explains what is expected of the exhibit in each class and category. The importance of the boring exhibit containers (honey jars, boxes and bags) is stressed, in addition to their contents, the equipment, and the required method for showing and producing winning exhibits for each class and category.

Honey show judging is necessarily evolving with the requirements of modern day-to-day beekeeping. Examples include the exhibition of microscope slides, videos and on-line essays. The judging section is intended for prospective judges starting their exam portfolio or well on the path to becoming qualified Honey Show Judges. For all the categories there is a list of the equipment the prospective judge should have to hand, an advised method and procedure and the responsibilities and pitfalls of which a prospective honey judge should be aware.