OKEHAMPTON Beekeepers' Association members enjoyed success at the annual honey show at this month's Okehampton Agricultural Show.

Will Pyne, a spokesperson for the group, said business was brisk at the beekeeping marquee at the show.

'The current interest in bees and beekeeping was reflected by the constant stream of people visiting the beekeeping feature throughout the day to view the exhibits, buy produce or generally find out about the hobby of beekeeping.'

Visitors were keen to buy locally produced Devon honey with all stock being sold by the afternoon. Children tried their hand at making beeswax candles, rolling sheets of beeswax foundation around candle wicks, assisted by members of the Okehampton branch.

The honey show itself was well supported, attracting 111 exhibits and qualifying for the BBKA blue ribbon award.

Mr Pyne congratulated beekeepers' show secretary Malcolm Craig on achieving this success.

Okehampton branch chairman Ray King and Mr Craig thanked all branch members who helped both before the show and on the day itself.

Results of the honey show and winners of the honey, beeswax and cookery classes:- class 1. Light honey, 1, Marian Minton, 2, Trevor Stevens, 3, Fred Vanstone; class 2, medium honey, 1, Fred Vanstone, 2, Les Williams, 3, Malcolm Craig; class 3, dark honey, 1, Malcolm Craig, 2, Fred Vanstone, 3, Les Williams; class 4, creamed honey, 1, Margaret Harris; class 6, frame of honey, 1, Les Williams, 2, Ray and Val King, 3, Malcolm Craig; class 7, mead,1, Trevor Stevens, 2, Ray and Val King, 3, Les Williams; class 8, beeswax candles, 1, Fred Vanstone, 2, Margaret Harris, 3, Malcolm Craig; class 9, beeswax blocks, 1, Marian Minton, 2, Margaret Harris, 3, Les Williams; class 10, novice light honey, 1, Annie Slatcher, 2, Susie Beardwell; class 11, novice medium honey, 1, Paul Reddaway; class 12, novice beeswax blocks, 1, Annie Slatcher; class 13, honey fudge, 1, Janet Grist, 2, Gisella Banbury, 3, Trevor Stevens; class 14, honey, date and Walnut Loaf, 1, Natasha Baker, 2, Annie Slatcher, 3, Gisella Banbury; class 15, honey crunch biscuits, 1, Marian Minton, 2, Janet Grist, 3, Gisella Banbury; class 16, honey fruit cake, 1, Janet Grist, 2, Angela Richards, 3, Fred Vanstone.

Cups — Heard Cup (most points in classes 1-9) Fred Vanstone; Furze Cup (second highest points in classes 1-9) Les Williams; Howarth Trophy (Okehampton DBKA branch member scoring most points in classes 1-4) Malcolm Craig; West Trophy (Okehampton DBKA branch member with best exhibit of extracted honey) Marion Minton; Cookery Trophy (DBKA member scoring most points in the cookery classes ) Janet Grist; best in cookery show, Natasha Baker; BBKA Blue Ribbon (DBKA member with best exhibit) Marian Minton for four rectangular wax blocks.