WHAT a year for local beekeepers! Both as individuals and as a branch of Devon Beekeepers Association, they excelled at the recent Devon County Show.

Master minded and co-ordinated by Mrs Anne Bentham from Haytown, Putford, the Holsworthy Beekeepers' stand was based on the theme of 'Honey Bees in Human History' and reflected on the relationship between the honey bee and man since the beginning of time. Such a complex display was only possible because of a great team effort by many local beekeepers and friends.

But the effort was worth it and the display certainly impressed the judges, Holsworthy were awarded the Stevenson Trophy, for the best branch display, for the second time in three years!

A competition, for a £10 book token, was hosted by Holsworthy beekeepers testing children's understanding of information contained in their exhibit. The winner was Alice Lovell, aged nine, from Kingkerswell, Newton Abbott.

As individuals, Peter McCabe from Bude won the Alstone Cup for his outstanding heather honey and local branch chairman, Christopher Smith, from Chilsworthy won the Langdon Cup for the highest overall marks for his beeswax craft.

Other Holsworthy branch beekeepers achieving success were Andrew Sluggett from Wragworthy, Robert and Anne Bentham from Putford, and Ruth Neal from Langtree. Of the 38 classes at the show for individual beekeepers, Holsworthy branch beekeepers gained places in over half.

In addition to finding time to enter the show, Mrs Ruth Neal also chairs the group that plans the whole bees and honey feature of Devon County Show. In this, her first year in the role, the section won a gold medal and received the prestigious accolade of reserve champion, trade stand.

Success at the show comes at the same time as a notable increase in the membership of Holsworthy branch. Bee keeping nationally is attracting significant numbers of people who have never kept bees before, despite the challenges of disease and exotic pests.

Nevertheless, the attraction of this ancient craft is perhaps a reflection of a wish to get closer to nature, with of course a taste of honey!