2025 Croydon Honey Show

The Croydon Honey Show is our annual celebration of bees and beekeeping and will be held this year on Saturday 13th September from 11:00am-4:30pm at The Selsdon Community Centre (in the Sainsbury’s building), 132 Addington Road, Selsdon, CR2 8LA. This year we are returning to the larger space of The Selsdon Hall on the lower floor of the building.

There is ample parking available in the Sainsbury’s car park and on Old Farleigh Road. The following bus routes serve Selsdon: 64, 357, 359, 409, 412, 433, 612, 654 & 685.

All are welcome

Visitors will be made very welcome, there’s no entrance charge – come and look at produce of the hive, see live bees in our observation hive, have a go at rolling a candle, take part in children’s activities, learn about bees, and eat cake. We can’t promise as it is a natural product subject to seasonal availability but there should be local real honey and hive products available to buy at the show.

Honey Show competition

Another important part of the show for association members is entry into the various classes in the competition. We also have a number of classes in the Food & Drink and the Arts & Crafts category that anyone from the public can enter. This year’s adjudicators are National Honey Show Judges Bill Fisher and Sue Carter.

The full schedule, rules and classes are available to download below.

The classes are as follows:

Honey

1. Two 1lb jars of Light Honey.
2. Two 1lb jars of Medium Honey.
3. Two 1lb jars of Dark Honey.
4. Two 1lb jars of Set Honey (Crystallised or Creamed).
5. Two 1lb jars of Chunk Honey.
6. One jar of liquid honey judged on Taste Alone. Rule 11 does not apply.
7. Novice Class. One 1lb jar of clear honey, light, medium or dark, or one 1lb jar of crystallised honey, natural or creamed.
8. Six matching jars of identical honey labelled as for sale. Rules 8 & 11 do not apply.

Comb

9. Two similar containers of Cut Comb – each approximately 8ozs/225g.
10. One Frame of Honey Suitable for Extraction.
11. Heaviest Frame. A shallow, BS, super frame, weight is the only criterion.

Beeswax

12. Novice Class. One 1oz/28g Block of Beeswax.
13. One cake of Beeswax weighing between 7ozs and 9ozs.
14. Six 1oz/28g blocks of Beeswax matching in all respects.
15. One pair of Beeswax Candles – dipped or moulded. The judge will light one candle.
16. One pair of Beeswax Candles – rolled (purchased dyed wax sheet may be used). The judge will light one candle.

(Non-BBKA members may enter classes 17 to 31)

Food and Drink

The Food and Drink classes are open to all, not just members. We would love to see entries from younger members of the public too.

17. Lemon Honey Cake. Recipe: 170g butter, 60g caster sugar, 140g honey, 3 large eggs, 225g self-raising flour, grated rind of a lemon, juice of half a lemon. Method: Cream butter, sugar and honey. Mix in lemon rind, beat eggs lightly and gradually add to the mixture. Stir in lemon juice. Fold in sieved flour, transfer to a greased and based line 900g (2lb) loaf tin. Bake for 1hr – 1hr 10 mins at 160C.
18. Six Honey Biscuits. Six small honey biscuits, matching in all respects (not in paper cases). Recipe and method to be provided with exhibit.
19. Honey Sweets or Chocolates. 200-250g, displayed with a transparent covering/lid. Recipe and method to be provided with exhibit.
20. Honey Jam/Preserve. One 1lb/450g jar. Made with any recipe but using honey as a major sweetening ingredient. Recipe and method to be provided with exhibit.
21. One 75cl bottle of Mead or honey based wine – dry.
22. One 75cl bottle of Mead or honey based wine – sweet.

Art and Crafts

The Art and Crafts classes are also open to all, not just members. Again, we would love to see entries from younger members of the public, preparing an exhibit is a great activity to pass some time in the holidays.

23. A Display of Products from the Hive. Any combination of five different items of produce from the hive, used singularly (e.g. honey) or as an ingredient within individual items (e.g. cake) and labelled for information. Rules 8 & 11 do not apply. Display dimensions must not exceed 600mm x 600mm, decorative materials maybe used.
24. Handicrafts. Any decorative, artistic exhibit or art work related to bees or beekeeping. Must be exhibitor’s own work.
25. Greetings Card. Design for a card to give to a beekeeper, relating to any occasion.
26. General Interest Display. Anything which is unusual, original, novel or of general interest to do with beekeeping.
27. Photograph – not a close-up or macro. related to bees or beekeeping. Must be exhibitor’s own work.
28. Photograph – a close-up or macro. related to bees or beekeeping. Must be exhibitor’s own work.

Junior Beekeepers

The Junior classes are for any beekeeper or group under the age of 16 to enter.

29. Junior Honey Class.  One 1lb jar of clear honey (light, medium or dark) or set honey.
30. Junior Display. Any artistic, decorative, instructive or otherwise creative exhibit not involving digital technology relating to bees or beekeeping. A written explanation of the exhibit is permitted. Age of entrant must be included on entry form. Dimensions not to exceed 600mm x 600mm.
31. Junior Digital Exhibit no longer than five minutes in length, related to bees or beekeeping. Age of entrant must be included on the entry form.

• The full schedule, rules and programme can be downloaded by clicking here and be viewed below.
• A PDF document of the classes can be downloaded by clicking here.
• A traditional, paper Entry Form can be downloaded by clicking here.
• A flyer for the 2025 Show can be downloaded by clicking here.
• A flyer for junior audiences can be downloaded by clicking here.

For non-members wishing to enter the Food & Drink and/or the Art & Crafts classes, please get your exhibits to the show as early as possible. There is a 50p fee for each entry. Judging takes place from 10am onwards so your entry must be staged before then.

Programme

9.00 to 9.45am      Staging – apply the provided labels and hand your entries to a Steward as early as possible between these times.

10.00 to 1.15pm      Judging – members are invited to be present but must not ask the Judge(s) or their Steward any questions or engage them in conversation unless invited to do so.

11.00am                   Public admitted – members of the public are welcome to attend.

3.30pm                     Presentation of Cups and Awards.

Exhibits and displays are to be removed by 4.30pm.

Cups and Awards

The Mark Stott Cup will be awarded to the Croydon Member gaining most points in Classes 1 to 28.

The D J Campbell Cup will be awarded to the Croydon Member gaining most points in Classes 1 to 11.

The Kirkup Memorial Cup for the Surrey Beekeeping Association member gaining most points in Classes 1 to 11 other than the winner of the D J Campbell Cup.

The N T Haines Cup will be awarded to the Croydon Member who is a novice (one who has never won first, second or third in a respective honey or wax class in a honey show) gaining most points in Class 7 & 12.

The Mike Szilagyi Bursary (£10) is awarded to the entrant who gains most points in the ‘Six for Sale’ (Class 8).

The Collett Cup is awarded for the best Frame for Extraction (Class 10).

The Best in Wax Shield will be awarded to the Surrey BKA member gaining the most points in Classes 12 to 16.

The Ellen Coates Memorial Plate will be awarded for the best Honey Cake (Class 17).

The Blue Ribbon or Certificate of Merit, depending on the number of entries, for the Best Exhibit in Show.

Rules and Regulations

1. All exhibitors entering Classes 1 to 16 must be members of the British Beekeepers Association whose subscriptions for the current year have been paid.
2. Entries should be made on the online form via the CBKA website, but can be printed and submitted in person if preferred and must reach the Show Secretary at least seven days before the date of the Show. Exhibitors may make more than one entry in a class but no exhibitor may take more than one prize in any one class.
3. Late entries and alterations may be accepted up to 9.45am on the day of the Show .
4. The entrance fee in all classes is 50p per exhibit, except for the Junior Beekeeper Classes which are free.
5. A Novice for Class 7 is an exhibitor who has never won a first, second or third place in a Honey Class at any Honey Show and for Class 12 an exhibitor who has never won a first, second or third place in a Wax Class at any Honey Show.
6. A Junior Beekeeper must be aged 16 years or under on the day of the show.
7. Labels to be affixed to your exhibits will be supplied by the Show Secretary. For jars and bottles, the label should be fixed 12mm from the bottom of the jar or bottle. For all other entries they should be displayed per rules 15 to 23.
8. Apart from the labels supplied by the Show Secretary, no means of identification may be placed on, or attached to, any exhibit, with the exception of Class 8 and 23.
9. All honey and wax exhibits (Classes 1 to 16) must be made by the exhibitor and be from their own, or their family’s bees. Class 16 may use commercially available wax sheets.
10. All exhibits will be opened and tasted by the Judge, or otherwise handled and tested as appropriate.
11. Extracted honey must be exhibited in clear 1lb squat round jars of British Standard pattern with standard lacquered or plastic lids, except for Class 6, 8 and 23.
12. Clear honey will be colour graded according to the British Standards Institution grading glasses which will be available to exhibitors during the staging of the exhibits.
13. Set honey can be naturally crystallised or creamed using either an agitation or seeding method.
14. Chunk honey (Class 5) is filled comb placed in a standard jar and topped up with clear honey.
15. Cut Comb (Class 9) are to be displayed in standard 8oz plastic containers with transparent lids. Two labels will be provided, one to be displayed on the transparent lid with the second on the front vertical face of the container.
16. Frames for extraction (Class 10) are to be shown in cases glazed on both sides. The frame must be easily removable from the case. Exhibitors will be issued with 2 labels, one of which should be displayed at the top of the righthand corner of the transparent face of the showcase, and the second on the righthand side of the frame top bar.
17. The Heaviest Frame (Class 11) must be a British Standard 14×5½“ SN frame. Wide top bars and Manley side bars are allowed. Note that the winning frame may be marked so that it cannot be used in the following year. Showcases are not required but frames may be lightly wrapped in clingfilm to control spillage, which may be removed (along with any spilled honey) by the judge if judging weights are close. Excessive spilled honey may result in the frame being disqualified. One label will be provided which should be displayed on the righthand side of the frame top bar.
18. Beeswax Cakes and Blocks (Classes 12 -14) are to be displayed on a plate and covered with a plain plastic bag, both provided by the Show Secretary. Labels will be provided so that one can be attached to each cake or block and one to be displayed on the plate.
19. Candles (Classes 15 and 16) are to be displayed in exhibitor’s candlesticks which will not be judged. Two labels will be provided, one to be fixed to each candle or candlestick.
20. Honey cake and biscuits (Classes 17 and 18) are to be displayed on a plate and covered with a plain plastic bag, both provided by the Show Secretary. Two labels will be provided, one to be displayed on the plate and one on the bag.
21. Mead or honey wines e.g. Melomel, Metheglin, Braggot, etc. (Classes 21 and 22) are to be exhibited in plain, colourless glass round-section shouldered bottles with punt or half punt of approximately 75cl capacity without ornament or added lettering of any kind and with flanged stoppers. It must have been made without added sugar, but herbs or spices may be used if desired. No alcohol may be added.
22. Display of products from the hive (Class 23) wishes to encourage home made products from the hive which are to be attractively displayed. All containers will be opened for judging. The products should be labelled for information and honey should apply all relevant legislation for sale. Six labels will be provided, one to be attached to each of the five products and one on the display itself. Rules 8 and 11 do not apply.
23. Photographs (Classes 27 and 28) are to be mounted on card no greater than 254mm x 305mm with a minimum border of 25mm.  Maximum print size 200mm x 250mm. Labels should be fixed on the bottom righthand side, 12mm from the edge of the card.
24. The Judge’s decision on the placing of exhibits shall be final at his/her discretion and places or prizes may be withheld.
25. Points will be awarded as follows: first place 10 points; second place 7 points; third place 4 points; Very Highly Commended (VHC) 3 points; Highly Commended (HC) 2 points; Commended (C) l point.
26. Prizes will be awarded in each class as follows: first place £2.50; second place £1.00; third place 50p.
27. Any objection or dispute must be made before 3pm and shall be settled by the Show Committee whose decision shall be final.
28. The decision of the Show Committee on any matter whatsoever, under or in relation to the foregoing rules and regulations, or on any protest or objection in relation thereto or to any exhibit, shall be final and conclusive.