WCBA & Industry News

WCBA Member “Swarms” the UK National Honey Show With Impressive Number of Entries

Western Cape beekeeper, Eddy Rubé, recently had the privilege of attending the prestigious 2024 UK National Honey Show, held from October 23-25 at the grand Sandown Race Course near London. The UK National Honey Show is considered to be the world’s largest and most prestigious honey show and has been operating for over 100 years.

Although a number of South African beekeepers took part in the event, Eddy was the only one to attend in person, waving the flag for ‘Team SA’ with no fewer than 26 entries over multiple categories. His participation in so many categories was made possible by the coveted ‘Blue Ribbon Award,’ which he earned from visiting UK judges at the WCBA’s ‘Big Buzz’ Fest earlier this year.

Eddy, known locally for his impressive performances in local honey competitions, shared his enthusiasm: “I enjoy entering competitions to showcase the quality of Western Cape honey, and it’s certainly good for business.” However, transporting his many entries to the UK was no small feat. “It took a village,” he said. “Friends, clients, and couriers helped make it possible, and I’m so grateful for their support.” Despite the logistical stress, Eddy maintained his high standards, crediting his Blue Ribbon and NAMPO wins – WCBA’s most recent honey competition – for helping him develop a meticulous preparation process.

The scale of the UK National Honey Show impressed him. “It was very professional and larger than I imagined,” Eddy remarked. Observing the judging was challenging, as it was done behind glass, but he felt honoured simply to be present. His fourth-place finish in one honey category filled him with pride, though he viewed the entire experience as a learning opportunity rather than focusing solely on competition results.

Eddy noted that the wax products on display were particularly awe-inspiring and emphasized that South African beekeepers could gain valuable insights by experiencing the show first-hand. “The standards are high, and we need to share knowledge and help each other if we want to raise our game,” he advised. He praised the UK organizers for their warm, supportive welcome and encouraged fellow South Africans to consider entering next year, with one key piece of advice: “Get your hands on the rule book!” For Eddy, the highlight was the camaraderie of the show—a fitting reward for his hard work and dedication. Other local beekeepers who did well in the competition were Dawid Rooifonten,  placed 4th in a very competitive honey category, Audrey de Jongh and Pierre Slabber.  Fellow beekeepers from elsewhere in South Africa who also excelled were Jana du Plessis, Inge Austin and Kai Hichert.

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