Beekeepers welcome public to annual honey celebration

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The chance to find out more about bees and the art of beekeeping is on offer this weekend.

Ashford Beekeepers’ annual honey show is being held at Aldington Village Hall on Saturday.

The event is open to the public from 1pm to 4pm.

Admission is free, and there’s also free parking.

This is the fifth year running that the show has been held at the venue, and again it is being held in association with the annual Aldington garden show.

Christopher Young, of Ashford Beekeepers’ Association, said: “There are a lot of things that we hope will attract people to this annual event, and our show this year will be centred on education and practical involvement so that adults and children can gain an interest in the benefits of beekeeping and related issues.”

Beekeeping equipment will be on show and for sale, there will be a refreshment stall selling cakes and sandwiches, honey and hand-made candles, and honey cosmetics produced by group members will be on sale.

There will also be candle-rolling for children and adults, demonstrations of the manufacture of skeps to house beehives, and a raffle.

Mr Young added: “The aim of the show is to make the public aware of the importance of the honey bee and the challenge beekeepers face to encourage bees to flourish.

“Our members aim to improve by exhibiting their honey and competing against each other for the best honey.”

Ashford Beekeeping Association is a branch of the Kent Beekeepers Association.

The club was first formed in 1919, and now meets once a month throughout the year during the first weekend of the month from April to September.

The club has its own apiary at Cheesemans Green.

For more information visit www.ashfordbeekeepers.co.uk