The Emley Show, held each year on the first Saturday in August, remains a highlight of the summer calendar for Wakefield and Pontefract Beekeepers Association. The event features two honey shows: the Open Show—the official Emley Honey Show—welcoming entries from all beekeepers, and our association’s own members’ show, giving WPBKA beekeepers the chance to compete among friends and peers.
Alongside the competitions, our association ran a vibrant stall for honey sales and a range of beekeeping exhibits to engage with the public. These displays play a vital role in promoting both our association and the craft of beekeeping, helping us meet our charitable objectives by raising awareness of honey bees and the importance of pollinators.
As Section Secretary for the Emley Show, I am allocated ten stewarding places each year, which are first offered to members. This time, I was unable to fill all the slots from within the association, so a few positions were opened to others with an interest in helping. My sincere thanks go to everyone who volunteered—their time and enthusiasm were invaluable, particularly the sales team, whose efforts directly benefited the association.
A special thank you also goes to those who helped set up on Friday, engaged with visitors throughout Saturday, and packed everything away at the end of the day. As the saying goes, many hands make light work, and your teamwork truly made the event a success.
We received numerous compliments from visitors and organisers alike about the quality of our section and the warm, knowledgeable welcome from our members. Particular thanks go to the stewarding team: Ivor Flatman, Graham Browster, Richard Thompson, Gerard and Krista Moore, Julie Oxley, and Tony Dury, with additional help from Carole Shaw and Michael Sykes.
A heartfelt thank you to Tan Jones and Corrine Martin, friends of Gerard and Krista, who generously gave up their day to support the honey sales. As always, Krista deserves special recognition for her outstanding work in dressing the stand and leading the sales team with flair and efficiency.
Thanks also go to Shirley Bond, who judged the show, and David Walker (Huddersfield BKA) for serving as judge’s steward.
While entries in the Open Show continue to grow, attracting more participants from outside the association, our own members’ show saw fewer entries this year—with just six members exhibiting, and most classes filled by only three competitors. This year marked the introduction of Wakefield & Pontefract–branded prize cards, giving our show a distinctive identity. However, to maintain balance between the two competitions, we may need to consider merging some classes into the Open Show in future if entries remain low.
Honey Sales Summary – Emley Show 2025
Honey sales were once again impressive, reflecting the public’s enthusiasm for high-quality local produce.
- Total sales: £1,525.50
- Member sales: £1,321.50 (commission £132.15)
- Association honey: 34 jars sold, totalling £204.00
The commission from sales covered our trade stand fees, and we were pleased to see association honey selling at a premium price, showcasing the high standard of our members’ craft.
Overall, the Emley Show was a fantastic celebration of beekeeping, teamwork, and community spirit—an event that continues to bring pride and visibility to our association year after year.