The National Honey Show

04/06/2026

Celebrate with us our King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) during Volunteers Week (1-7 June)! The recent official presentation at Reigate Apiary was a wonderful opportunity to mark this achievement with volunteers, supporters, and distinguished guests, recognising the dedication and enthusiasm of all those who have supported the Show over the years. This award, and our thanks, belong to every volunteer who has given their time, knowledge, and energy to The Show over the last 100 years.

On 2nd May, on a sunny afternoon at the Reigate Beekeepers’ Association Apiary in Surrey, the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, presented the...

02/06/2026

The video from the interesting panel discussion on varroa, chaired by Professor Robert Pickard, will be released at 5.15pm UK local time on this Friday, 5th June: https://www.youtube.com/user/nationalhoneyshow.
Following the four presentations on various aspects of varroa resistance in the 2025 NHS programme, the lecturers were all present to answer questions. In the last few years a lot has been learnt, much by our speakers Stephen Martin from the science angle, Steve Riley from the beekeeping view and Joe Ibbertson by observing free-living colonies. All four of their lectures have already been published and are available to view on the National Honey Show Youtube channel.

28/05/2026

To support our bees and other insects, you don't need to become a beekeeper. Choosing the best plants to supply pollen and nectar, keeping insects fed; and some damp earth for insects to drink without drowning can make all the difference. Inspired by all the roses now bursting into flower? Choose single, if possible repeat flowering roses, with an open centre - the rose suppliers list bee friendly roses of all growing habits from ground cover to ramblers.

20/05/2026

Bees are so amazing! In celebration of Anton Janša (1734-1773), pioneer of modern apiculture from what is now Slovenia, in 2017 the UN designated 20th May as World Bee Day. Join us all in raising awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to a sustainable environment. Well done everyone planting for and looking after our pollinators!

14/05/2026

What better way to celebrate the National Honey Show receiving The King’s Award for Voluntary Service than with a spectacularly sunny day spent among friends, supporters…and plenty of bees! ☀️🐝

Volunteers and guests gathered at Reigate Apiary for the official presentation ceremony, enjoying a wonderful afternoon of celebration, conversation, and community spirit. In true beekeeping fashion, the bees decided to join in too - with a swarm appearing during the event and providing an unforgettable moment for everyone attending!

From start to finish, it was a day full of warmth, pride, laughter, and a shared appreciation for the beekeeping community that makes occasions like this so special.


Photos by Gillian Tiplady

03/05/2026

In advance of celebrations at the show itself in October, many of our volunteers and supporters gathered at Reigate Apiary yesterday afternoon for the official presentation of the King's Award for Voluntary Service by The Lord Lieutenant.
More to follow over the next few days at honeyshow.co.uk/news/

27/04/2026

Humberto Boncristiani’s “Honey Bee Viruses”lecture will be released at 5.15pm UK local time on this Friday, 1st May: https://www.youtube.com/user/nationalhoneyshow
Dr. Humberto Boncristiani is a second-generation beekeeper and honey bee researcher with extensive experience at various institutions in the USA. His expertise lies in honey bee health, particularly virology and apiary management. Viruses are among the most significant threats to honey bee health, impacting colony stability and survival. Understanding their structure, transmission, and effects is essential for developing sustainable disease management strategies. This talk provides an overview of honey bee virology, including key viruses, their genetic organization, transmission pathways, and epidemiological trends. Additionally, it explores the interactions between honey bee hosts and viral pathogens, shedding light on the broader implications for colony resilience. Recent advancements in virus detection and mitigation strategies are highlighted, including emerging biotechnological solutions, practical management approaches, and the future direction of honey bee virology, tailored for beekeepers, researchers, and policymakers aiming to implement science-based strategies to protect honey bee populations and sustain apiculture.

You can also see Dr Humberto Boncristiani chatting with Norman Carreck on honey bee health, live from the 2025 show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN1Tnqx67N4

17/04/2026

Come and see us today at the BBKA - The British Beekeepers AssociationSpring Convention, Harper Adams University, Shropshire, TF10 8NB, UK. Chat with us, collect copies of the 2026 Schedule of classes, show leaflets, junior leaflets, and to hear about our King's Award for Voluntary ServiceKing's Award for Voluntary Services and the next National Honey Show at Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher, UK 22-24 October 2026.

13/04/2026

The National Honey Show will be taking a stand at BBKA - The British Beekeepers Association Spring Convention this coming weekend. Come and see us to have a chat, hear about The National Honey Show this coming October, collect copies of the 2026 Schedule of classes, show leaflets, junior leaflets, and to hear about our King's Award for Voluntary Services.

01/04/2026

Stephen Martin's lecture 'Moving away from mite control’' will be released on this Friday, 3rd April, at 5.15pm UK local time. https://www.youtube.com/user/nationalhoneyshow
Despite a sound scientific background into varroa resistance most UK beekeepers still treat their colonies with toxic chemicals for Varroa control. This talk explores some of the barriers that exist to moving away from chemical mite control and the ways that they can be overcome. Stephen highlights a range of ongoing projects in the UK, across Europe and beyond that are currently helping beekeepers’ transition away from using miticides and allowing their bees to adapt naturally to Varroa, as has happened in nature in many places around the world.

You can also see Professor Stephen Martin and Steve Riley chatting, live, at last year's show on selecting for Varroa resistant bees:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcHEH9miwK8