The Birmingham Honey Show returns to Martineau Gardens with Alys Fowler

The Birmingham Honey Show is returning to Martineau Gardens, a Community Garden, in Edgbaston, on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September, from 10am until 4pm.

Organised by Birmingham and District Beekeepers Association (B & DBKA), this family-friendly, free event will be a chance for people to find out more about the fascinating craft of beekeeping and to immerse themselves in the world of honey.

Alys Fowler in her garden

Alys Fowler in her garden

Alys Fowler local gardening author and TV presenter and patron of Martineau Gardens will be at the prize giving ceremony on Sunday.This is just one of a series of Heritage Open Day events.

There will be opportunity to buy locally-produced honey direct from the beekeepers, make candles from bees wax, see an observation hive, talk to the beekeepers and visit the resident bees of Martineau Gardens. Visitors will be able to find out what a community garden is and Martineau Gardens’ role in providing a home for wildlife so close to Birmingham city centre.

A highlight of the show will be the prize-giving ceremony at 3.30pm on Sunday 9 September. Local gardening celeb Alys Fowler will be  presenting trophies and prizes awarded for categories set to test the beekeepers skills in a range of entries including honey production, comb extraction, mead making, honey cake baking and candle making.

Refreshments will be on sale and there will be plants, preserves and produce for sale, grown by Martineau Gardens’ volunteers. Entry to the event is free.

John Gale, Assistant Show Secretary said: “Come and find out why honey bees need beekeepers to survive and why bees are important to the environment. Enjoy the crafts and produce associated with this traditional craft, all in the setting of a beautiful garden.”

The Gardens, though only two miles from Birmingham city centre are a green oasis that is teeming with wildlife.

The Birmingham Honey Show takes place at Martineau Gardens, 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7UG. Free entry.

Located five minutes from the MAC and opposite the Priory Hospital. Disabled parking on site, public parking at Priory Hospital by kind permission of the hospital.

Travel by bus recommended using  1, 45, 47, 61, 63, X62, 143 and 144.

More details are available by calling 0121 440 7430 or logging onto www.martineau-gardens.org.uk.

To find out more about Heritage Open Day events in the area, visit Heritage Open Days 2012.