The SBKA Bee Market 2026 will be on the 9th May 2025 at Uckfield Community College.
Sussex Beekeepers have for many years run their annual Bee Market to celebrate all things relating to bees and pollinators. We moved to Uckfield Community College in the year of 2023 to accommodate the many stall holders who now join us.
There is a lot going on throughout the day to ensure interest for beekeepers and non-beekeepers alike. Including bee equipment suppliers, a lively auction of equipment, children’s talk and activities, and a plant stall to name just a few of the many stall holders who regularly join us.
The popular event attracts people from East and West Sussex and further afield.
Food stalls are popular and have access to an adjoining terraced area.
PROGRAMME
- 9:00 Registration of auction entries
- 10:00 Bee Market opens to the general public.
- 11:00 Brief talk about ‘How to Take up Beekeeping’ – by Malcolm Wilkie in theatre AG02
- 12:00 Invited Talk Sweet Deception – Inside the Honey Fraud Crisis by Lynne Ingram NDB – see below.
- 12:00 Children’s activities – In the workshop we look at the life inside a beehive, the children act out the different roles of the bee and at the end we taste honey from around the world and get to eat the “bee eggs, nectar and pollen” the children also take away an activity sheet.. by Maggi Pratt a nursery practitioner and Co-owner of the ‘Bee People’ bee keeping supplies company. The workshop will be in Reading Room AG14
- 14:00 Auction of Bee Equipment, & Bees in theatre AG01
- 16:30 Bee Market Closes
This year’s Bee Market talk – “
Sweet Deception – inside the honey fraud crisis by Lynne Ingram NDB
Honey is the 2nd most adulterated food in the world. This talk lifts the lid on the how, why and wherefore of honey fraud and adulteration, and the shocking impact it is having on the livelihoods of beekeepers around the world. We look at why this fraud continues, and what can be done about it. We also take a look at what is happening in the UK, and what we can do.
Lynne 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, running study groups and curating the popular Somerset Lecture series.
Lynne is the founder and chair of the Honey Authenticity Network UK (HAN UK).
There will also be a talk by Malcolm Wilkie long time Education Officer at the High Weald division (High Weald BeeKeepers’ Association – Beekeeping in the Sussex High Weald) of the SBKA . Malcolm will reprise his very popular talk of previous years describing how to take up beekeeping and together with some members who have taken up the noble art of beekeeping under his tutelage will share with you some amusing anecdotes. So, if you are thinking of / planning to take up beekeeping this is one for YOU!
