Wiltshire Bee & Honey Day 2025
Saturday, 11 October 2025 – 10am to 4pm
A fantastic day out for people thinking about taking up beekeeping, as well as old hands who want to learn a whole lot more. Incorporates the County Honey Show.
at The Devizes Corn Exchange, Market Place, Devizes SN10 1HS.
Memories of 2024
2024 Downloads
- Show Schedule for WBKA members + entry form
- Event poster to download for facebook pages etc
- Honey sales registration form
- Honey sales Ts&Cs
- Location and parking Devizes Map
2024 Activities
- Talks – see below
- The annual county honey show – see downloads below
- Candle rolling – perfect for Christmas presents
- Exploring inside a virtual hive
- Honey beer tasting courtesy of Wadworth brewery
- Mead tasting
- Face painting
- Exhibitors offering bee related food, drinks, gifts and products as well as beekeeping kit.
2024 PR coverage
2024 Timings
- 08.00 Doors open for exhibitors
- 10.00 Show opens
- 10.00-11.00 Some interesting things about bees – Professor Robert Pickard, entomologist
- 11.30-12.30 Medicinal uses of honey – Dr Lynne Hepplestone
- 13.00-13.30 Thinking of becoming a beekeeper? How to get started – Richard Rickitt
- 14.00-15.00 The truth about honey – Lynne Ingram NDB
- 15.00-16.00 Open viewing
- 15.15 Prize giving and certificates on the stage
- 16.00 Show closes
2024 Speakers
Some wonderful things about bees – Professor Robert Pickard, entomologist
Honeybees have lived in societies for some 30 million years. The pollination contracts that they hold with particular plants are much older. Human beings are some 7 million years old. We exist as herding animals aspiring to become social. We can learn a great deal from bees though we would probably not want to emulate all their achievements. Social animals regulate the size and structure of their population according to their resources. Worker bees are engineered to die when they are still fully functional which, consequently, avoids the social burden of ill health that we associate with old age. When bees are starving, they share any remaining food and die together. Only honeybees and humans can communicate navigational instructions to others of their species. The honeybee brain is a wonderful model for the study of multimodal neurons that are so important in our own decision-making processes. Bees’ ability to modulate genetic expression with food molecules is legendary. Bees challenge us to reassess our concepts of individual responsibility, emotion, empathy, intelligence and mind.
Robert Pickard is Emeritus Professor of Neurobiology at the University of Cardiff and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, the Royal Society of Medicine and the Learned Society of Wales. He is President of Cardiff Scientific Society and an invited member of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. He is Patron of the Welsh Beekeepers Association and President of the Central Association of Beekeepers. Formerly, he was Editor of the Journal of Apicultural Research, Chair of the UK Consumers’ Association, Which?, and Director-General of the British Nutrition Foundation in London. For the UK Government, he chaired many committees, including Public Health, Nuclear Waste and the Foresight Task Force on Food’s Contribution to Health in the Future. In this photograph, Robert is at Kensington Palace illustrating the first copy of the human genome to be published in Nature.
Medicinal uses of honey – Dr Lynne Hepplestone
Amongst her many roles, South African Lynne Hepplestone is a Veterinary Surgeon (registered BVSc MRCVS, a farmer, beekeeper, Scottish SBA Honey Judge, and accomplished pianist (B.Mus with Hons, in Piano). She lives on a beautiful coastal farm with family and an extended James-Herriot-inspired menagerie. Lynne is also a South African Mead Master, and further pursues her Bee interests in Melissopalynology, bringing awareness to adulterated honey, practical ASMR (Autonomic Sensory Meridian Reflex therapy), and developing South African Apitourism – the possibilities are endless for SA Beekeepers.
Lynne will be discussing the medicinal properties of honey, with veterinary cases of Honey in Wound Management.
Dr Lynne Hepplestone is a beekeeper and full-time small animal veterinarian at Ikhala Veterinary Clinic in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Thinking of becoming a beekeeper? How to get started – Richard Rickitt, co-editor of BeeCraft
A Wiltshire beekeeper, Richard Rickitt outlines what is involved in becoming a beekeeper, the kinds of skill you need to acquire, the kit you need, where to site your hive and how to get started.
Richard is co-editor of BeeCraft, the national beekeeping magazine (established in 1919, and the World’s oldest beekeeping journal) and author of Beekeeping for Gardeners (Bloomsbury, 2023). He keeps around 30 hives of his own bees as well as a few more for some high-profile locations and individuals. He is beekeeper at Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, where he also teaches beekeeping courses and an international award-wining author of several books.
His talks are richly and clearly illustrated and designed to fascinate and amaze – and there are always a few laughs. His talks to U3A, Rotary, Probus, WI and gardening groups are consistently voted by members as among the most fascinating and entertaining they have received.
The truth about honey – Lynne Ingram
Honey fraud is the third biggest food fraud in the world. This fascinating talk lifts the lid on the how, why and wherefore of honey fraud and adulteration, and the way that it impacts on the livelihoods of beekeepers around the world. We will also take a look at what is happening in the UK.
Lynne Ingram has kept bees for over 30 years, and runs 15-20 colonies in Somerset. She is a Master beekeeper, holds the National Diploma in Beekeeping, and is an examiner for the BBKA written and practical exams. Lynne is involved in educating beekeepers in Somerset, running study groups and curating the popular Somerset Lecture series.
2024 Helpful how-to articles
Find these here
- Why exhibit at honey shows
- How to win at honey shows
- How to make dipped candles
- See also several articles in the Honey Bee Times
2024 Show sponsors and supporters
Eden Renewables
Based near Marlborough, Eden Renewables is developing solar farms in Wiltshire and throughout the UK with a positive impact on the local environment and the communities living nearby. Our solar farms don’t just produce clean renewable energy – they produce honey too! We create meadows beneath and around the solar panels by sowing local, native grasses and wildflowers to provide habitats and nectar for honey bees and other pollinators. We provide suitable beehive sites for both solitary and honey bees, and invite local beekeepers to establish apiaries inside the solar farm or on adjacent land. Tackling the climate and ecological crisis, together. https://uk.edenrenewables.com/
Whitehall Vineyard
Whitehall Farm has been our family home for five generations, since 1894. We’ve been working the land in this enchanting pocket of the British countryside for over a century.
Our history of growing and farming naturally evolved into a desire to take on a new challenge, to produce premium English wines. Whitehall Vineyard was established in 2017 with the support of a small team of planters, who helped us plant the vines one by one.
Since then, we’ve been carefully crafting our wines with charming British flavours to enhance any dining experience, or simply to enjoy on their own.
Wadworth Brewery
Wadworth is an independent family regional brewer and pub company, which has been brewing beer in the beautiful market town of Devizes since 1875. Originally founded by Henry Alfred Wadworth, the business passed to his founding partner John Smith Bartholomew and is now in the fifth generation of ownership by the Bartholomew family, with Toby Bartholomew leading the company as Managing Director.
The brewery combines the tradition of craft beer with modern production techniques and systems, pub signs are still hand painted in our sign shop and the Wadworth shire horses deliver beer around the town most weeks of the year. Our brewery tap & shop, located on site at the brewery, is open throughout the week for beers and food, events, and takeaway beer and merchandise.
In addition to our family brewery we operate in excess of 150 pubs, many with rooms to stay, across the South West of England and London; all offering a warm welcome, down to earth hospitality and quality food and drink.
Wadworth is delighted to be sponsoring the The Wiltshire Bee and Honey Day. https://www.wadworth.co.uk/
Corsham Print
‘In a digital world, print stands out’ – Our creative solutions have been helping businesses and organisations grow for over 40 years. Supporting the event’s printing requirements.
2024 Show exhibitors
Bees Abroad
Bees Abroad is working to enable communities to empower themselves through sustainable beekeeping. Together with in-country partner organizations and local beekeeper trainers, Bees Abroad educates and mentors communities in appropriate and sustainable beekeeping practices, supporting business creation and environmental care.
Bee Depot
Diane Sleigh runs courses, sells bee kit, honey, bee colonies and bee gifts, and gives presentations on all things bee. All EH Thornes supplies. BBWear suits – try before you buy. Second hand kit bought and sold.
Bee Happy Glass Designs
Hello, my name is Suzanne and I handmake vibrant, contemporary fused glass for the home, garden and of course, yourself. Bees often make an appearance in my designs which include greeting cards with a keepsake, suncatchers, mobiles, games, dishes and clocks, to name a few – each unique piece being handcrafted in my ‘Hive’ in Bath.
The Bee’s Knees
I’m Emma Morley, one of Wiltshire’s many beekeepers. I make and sell a range of delicious honey treats using completely natural ingredients including organic homegrown produce from my garden. All products are lovingly handmade in my Wiltshire kitchen and the star of every show is, of course, the delicious honey made by my clever little bees. I also make pure beeswax products including candles, food wraps, soaps and lip balms as well as some hand thrown ‘bee themed’ pottery. Come along and have a look – I’m sure there will be something that takes your fancy.
Candle Cavern
Providing natural hand poured beeswax candles from sustainable and renewable sources. Available will be dinner, pillar and tealight candles as well as other beeswax products including polish and ‘wraps’. Supporting British beekeeping, business and craftsmanship.
Clive Shellard
Enamel on copper, jewellery and pictures inspired by wildlife.
Hive Mind
We are Hive Mind, started in 2018 by brothers Kit and Matt in the beautiful Wye Valley in the Welsh Borders. Combining our love of nature with our interest in brewing. We set out to create something as original as possible by taking the world’s oldest form of alcohol, and giving it a modern twist. What we have created is innovative, light, refreshing and rich in flavour, but also steeped in history. A true blend of old and new.
We could go on about passion, pride and perfection, but that should come over on the first sip. We aim to be different. Many think Welsh mead is sweet and strong and something drunk by druids and monks. Well that was then (and occasionally now during the summer solstice).
With mounting quantities of honey mead from our own bees and a desire to drink something different, we began creating session strength meads made with great ingredients and delicious flavours. Our mead is a marriage of modern brewing techniques applied to the most ancient beverage. So please take what preconceptions you have, and refresh them. We bring you sparkling, medium sweetness, flavourful Welsh mead. We start with the best quality ingredients we can lay our hands on, add yeast and time, and leave the product to do the talking. www.wyevalleymeadery.co.uk
Herbs for Healing – Luzia Barclay
Natural remedies from the beehive
Apart from honey we find a substance in the beehive called PROPOLIS. Often a ‘nuisance’ to beekeepers but it’s worth its weight in gold – not just financially but also in view of health. A well-researched remedy that supports and strengthens our immune system and helps to fight off viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Various propolis products like tinctures and ointments will be available.
Hive Originals
Handcrafted natural skincare using the honey & beeswax from Wiltshire hives. Products includes award winning hand balms, hand/foot creams, moisturisers, shampoos and more.
Larkrise Community Farm
Larkrise Community Farm principal focus is to support people with learning or physical disability, or who are socially or economically disadvantaged, by providing accessible education in the subjects of agriculture and animal welfare. In addition, we are pleased to offer a diverse range of supporting activities such as family activity days, riding for the disabled and 1-2-1 interaction sessions with our livestock. It’s time to release the hidden farmer in you and pay us a visit!
Mason Millinery
Award-winning Milliner, Tina Mason will be bringing her current collection of Bee inspired hats and headpieces which she creates in her Wiltshire studio.
Meadow In My Garden
This is a community interest company (CIC) based in Devizes, Wiltshire, with a love of nature. Our seed mixes will transform any space, creating a magnificent patchwork of colour throughout the summer. We care about our world and we want to do everything we can to help more people grow wildlife friendly flower meadow.
Ooh Lovely Lilo Ceramics
Handmade ceramics a delightful collection of ceramics, mugs, teabag dishes, bowls, plates for your home as well as some beautiful gift ideas.
Pamela Shellard
Hand made bee themed mugs and jugs.
Susanna Gilmore Powell
Professional Artist. Painter of Bee Habitats, Gardens, Allotments, Orchards, Wild Flower Fields, Woodlands and Water.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Raising awareness of the Trust’s work with nature and wildlife in the Wiltshire area.
Memories of the day 2023
First photos from Richard Rickitt. (Hi-res copies of all photos available from )
More photos
2023 Talks
- Food Safety and the Beekeeper: Andy Pedley
- Beyond Honeybees: balancing the needs of managed and wild bee populations: Paul Jupp
- Defensive behaviour in honeybees: Marin Anastasov, NDB
2023 Coverage in the media and other websites
- Eden Renewable blog
- Swindon LINK
- BBC Radio Wiltshire – Graham Rogers Show 18 September 2023 at 1512
- Wiltshire Life October 2023 pages 58-59
- Wiltshire Life October 2023 page 65
- Wiltshire Life September 2023 page 65
- Radio Berkshire interview on bees inside a wall, 9 September at 0821
- Wiltshire Life August 2023 page 65
Memories of the 2022 Show
Banner sitings 2022
Previous shows
2022 Talks
- Managing the workers: Reading the bees, smooth colony manipulations – Bob Smith NDB
- Botany for beekeepers: A colourful exploration of flower families with emphasis on those of value to bees – Bob Smith NDB
- The future of the bumblebee in the British countryside – Guy Parker, Eden Renewables
2022 Press coverage
- 25/10/22 Recap on Eden Renewables Website; and listen to Guy Parker’s talk.
- 11/10/22 Gazette & Herald: Wiltshire Bee and Honey Day an un-bee-lievable success
- 7/10/22 BBC Radio Wiltshire Ben Prater Show – the segments start at 1:46:50 in. Starts immediately in this recording.
- 3/10/22 BBC Radio Wiltshire Graham Rogers Show – the segment starts about 1 min into this recording.
- 1/10/22 Wiltshire Life: It’s all about the bees
- 29/9/22 Gazette & Herald: Exclusive beer by Wadworth Brewery in Devizes: When you can try it
- 22/9/22 Gazette & Herald: Devizes to host free lesson for budding beekeeper
- 1/9/22 Wiltshire Life: A bee-utiful day out
- 1/8/22 Wiltshire Life: Wiltshire Bee & Honey Day
2021 Photo Gallery – see Member’sArea
2021 Talks
- 10.00 Tools and techniques for making beekeeping easier – Ken Basterfield.
- 11.15 The mind of the honey bee – Marin Anastasov, NDB.
- 12.15 Safeguarding future landscapes – Guy Parker, Eden Renewables.
- 13.45 Reading bees – Ken Basterfield.
2021 Press coverage
- Wiltshire Life – The buzzy life of a beekeeper and her bees – May 2021 edition, p42, 3pp
- Listing in Beekeeping Events
- Listing in Beecraft – September 2021 edition
- Listing in BBKA News – September 2021 edition
- Gazette & Herald – Corsham beekeeper prepares for Wiltshire Bee & Honey Day in Devizes – 11 August.
- This is Wiltshire – Corsham beekeeper prepares for Wiltshire Bee & Honey Day in Devizes – 11 August
- Wiltshire Life – From flower to toast and honey beer – September 2021 edition, p36, 2pp
- A notice of the event on CPRE’s site
- A mention in Eden Renewable’s regular newsletter
The Wiltshire Bee & Honey Day 2020 was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions
2019 Talks
- Comb – how and why bees make it and how to manage it – Lynfa Davis
- Honey bee communication – a look at how bees share information and communicate with each other – Lynfa Davis
- The future for local bees in Britain – Norman Carreck
2019 Press coverage
- Wiltshire Times post event coverage
- Gazette and Herald post-event coverage
- Wessex Water post-event coverage – page 19
- Wiltshire Times pre-event coverage
- Swindon Advertiser pre-event coverage
- Gazette & Herald pre-event coverage
- This is Wiltshire pre-event coverage
- Wiltshire Life Magazine pre-event coverage 1/8/19
- Wessex Water pre-event coverage – page 17
- Salisbury BKA website