Latest updates from Preston & District Beekeepers

Preston & District Honey Show 2025

Conguatulations to all those who received an award, prize or a trophy at our 2025 Honey Show which was held on Saturday 4th October at Samlesbury Memorial Hall, Preston.

Our Judge was Elaine Hargreaves from Lancashire, with Josephine Anderson from West Yorkshire Stewarding.

Our Speaker was Diane Drinkwater from Greater Manchester who talked about “Bee Prepared: What you can do now to get ready for beekeeping in 2026”, whilst judging was underway.

This year there were 25 classes with the introduction of 2 Junior classes for under 16s. Our Judge Elaine Hargreaves complemented exhibitors on the standard of their exhibits, whilst explaining that she was not able to make awards in every class. We all learnt of the improvement opportunities for exhibiting at future shows.

As there were 108 exhibits at our PBKA Honey Show, the judge Elaine Hargreaves was able to present a ‘Blue Ribbon Award’ allowing the exhibit to be shown at the 2025 National Honey Show at Sandown Park at the end of October for the Best Exhibit in the Show which is only given when there are over 100 exhibits.

A ‘Blue Ribbon Award’ was presented to Chris Carey for the winning Honey from 2025 (Class 5) which was deemed the Best Exhibit in the Show gaining the A.J. Fisher Trophy. Chris also won the Blacked Out Jar (Class 21) judged by public tasting on taste & aroma alone and he was also the champion frame maker, timed as completing the fastest frame to PBKA standards.

Another prestigious award, a ‘Certificate of Merit’ was awarded to Linda Brown, for the best Craft exhibit (Class 18), which allows her to exhibit at the 2025 National Honey Show. An honour indeed.

The ‘Joe Birkby Memorial Trophy’ for the best Beginner’s Honey (Class 6a), was won by Sally Wilkinson.

The ‘Chris Carey Cup’ for the winner of the Novice Honey (Class 6b), eligible to an exhibitor who has not previously won a first place in any show, was presented to Arthur Walmsley.

In the new Junior Class for An Item of Interest Connected with Bees or Beekeeping (Class 20b), Pippa Wilkinson won with her beautifully crafted artwork.

The ‘PBKA Shield awarded for the Best Wax Exhibit in Show, was for Two Matching Candles (Class 11) produced by Viki Cuthbertson.

The ‘Andrew Todd Trophy’ for achieving The Most Points in the Show, was awarded to Alan Manwaring. Congratulations Alan for once again setting such a high standard for us all to aim for.

Well done to all who gained a trophy or prize. A full list of the winners in each class and those who were placed is detailed on the “2025 Class & Trophy Winners PBKA Honey Show” spreadsheet.

The Preston BKA Honey Show is always a great opportunity to have fun in our friendly competition, celebrate our successes and to catch up with fellow beekeeping friends old and new.

Thank you to all those who helped out, to those who exhibited and well done to everyone who received an award, prize or a trophy.

You all contributed to make our local Honey Show successful and enjoyable.

Caroline Coughlin – Honey Show Coordinator

.2025 Class & Trophy Winners – PBKA Honey Show