HONEY SHOW RULES AND REGULATIONS

Guidance for exhibitors: Classes:  1-46

CLASSES 1-46

INIB Honey Grading Glasses will be used.

All exhibits must display the INIB ID label, as supplied by the show secretary.

1. 1. Exhibitors’ Labels – Must conform with the current UK “For Sale” Legislation, i.e. The Food Information Regulations (NI) 2014 and The Honey Regulations (NI) 2015. Only 1 INIB ID label will be supplied. See Rules D and E.

1-9.11 See Rules D and E.

6. Two Jars Chunk Honey – Exhibits must contain approx. 50% Cut Comb. See Rules D and E. 9-11. See Rules D and E.
7. Honey for Tasting – A black paper collar will be provided and should be placed on the jar, See Rules D and E.
8. Wedding Favour – Six small matching honey jars 55g (2oz) to a maximum of 100g (3.5oz) Jars may be decorated. Offered as a guests present at a wedding or similar function. Only 1 INIB label is required.
9. Novice Class – For exhibitors who have never won a first prize in any honey class at any show. See Rule D.
10. Square Sections – Square sections Approximately 454g (1lb), must be enclosed in white cardboard section showcases or commercial sale section cases with transparent fronts. Two INIB ID labels are supplied for each section. One is to be fixed on the front top right corner of the transparency window, and the other on the middle of the top of the section frame.
11. Cut Comb Honey – must be shown in standard UK white containers with transparent lids and have a gross weight between 200-255g (7-9oz). Two INIB ID labels are supplied for each container. One should be fixed to the lid window at the top right-hand corner and the other on the long side of the front-facing container.
12. Crystal Cut Comb Honey, (Hinged lids). One INIB ID label is supplied for each container and should be fixed to the lid window at the top right-hand corner.
13. The frame of Honey Comb for Extraction – A Frame for Extraction must be wired and shown in a protective case. The comb must be visible from both sides. Two INIB ID labels should be placed, one on the front top right-hand corner of the glass window, and the other on the centre of the top bar of the frame inside.
14. One Cake of Beeswax – A cake of Beeswax, not patterned, minimum 454g (1lb) and at least 25mm (1in) at its thickest point may be exhibited, polished or unpolished, at the discretion of the exhibitor. Should be in a protective display case and it must carry two INIB ID labels, one on the underside of the wax cake, the other on the top right corner of the lid window, of the container. The case must not exceed 300mm (12in).
15. Beeswax Model – Exhibitor’s own choice of size and shape. One INIB ID label should be displayed in a prominent position.
16. Beeswax Flowers – A Display of Beeswax Flowers on Stems (not a plant), may be exhibited in a vase or container of your choice. The flowers depicted must represent freshly cut wild or garden flowers. One INIB ID label should be displayed in a prominent position. The vase will not be considered during judging.
17. Beeswax Blocks – Six 28g (1oz) Plain Wax Blocks, matching in all respects, shown on the plate provided. One INIB ID label should be placed on the plate and one on the base of each wax block.
18. Wax Candles – All candles will be displayed lying down. Candles may only measure up to 38mm (11⁄2in) in diameter. One will be lit by the judge.20) Moulded Candles must not be additionally patterned. (Exhibitor to bring 1 candle stick holder for judging set up). Class. 21) Dipped Candles should be left connected by the wick. NOTE:  Any flammable decoration, other than beeswax, is not permitted.

24. Floating Candles should be displayed in a small container of water. The container must have an INIB ID label.
25. 25-26. Plain and Fruit Honey Cake – Cakes should be baked in a 150 mm-180 mm (6-7in) circular tin to the recipe provided and shown undecorated. An allowance will be made for a small degree of shrinkage. Cakes will be displayed on a plain plate with a clear plastic cover. The plate, cover, and two INIB ID labels will be provided. One label should be attached to the plate, the other is visible on the plastic cover.
26. Five Small Honey Biscuits or Cookies (not in paper cases) – baked to the exhibitor’s recipe and displayed on a paper plate with a clear plastic cover. 2 INIB ID labels, one on the plate and the other on the cover.
27. 28-29. Honey Tray Bakes and Sweets/Chocolates – See Class 29-30 for the method of display and labels. 2 INIB ID labels, one on the plate and the other on the cover.

30-31Marmalade and Lemon Curd – 340g(12oz) or 454g(1lb) jars may be used. Honey taste must be paramount. See Rule D for labelling.

32-36. Mead – Entries must be shown in plain, clear, colourless, slightly punted glass bottles, approx.750ml (26fl oz) capacity, with rounded slightly-sloping shoulders and without lettering of any kind. Bottles with shallow punts are acceptable. White “T” or flanged corks must be used. See Rule F for labelling. Additional alcohol must not be added to any mead class. Judges may adopt specific gravity tests to determine class accuracy as follows: Dry Mead: SG 0.990/1.00. Medium Mead: SG 1.00/1.010. Sweet Mead: SG 1.010/1.025. Dessert Mead: SG 1.025+.

37. Composite Display, A small display of any 3 different exhibits selected from the show schedule. Only 1 INIB ID label placed in a prominent position.
38. Beekeeping Artistry Exhibit. An interesting or instructive exhibit of needlecraft, painting, pottery, or carving, etc., relating to bees or beekeeping. The display area that is required must not exceed 600mm x 600mm (2ft x 2ft) for bench display or l200mm x 1000mm of floor space.
39. Any Decorative or Artistic Exhibit. Excluding needlecraft and photographs, related to honeybee or beekeeping the required display area must not exceed 600mm x 600mm (2ft x 2ft).
40. Photographs – Must have been taken, but not necessarily processed by the exhibitor, and should be framed or mounted on stiff card, with a minimum border of 25mm (1in). Any colour of the card may be used, with a maximum size of 300mm x 300mm (12 x 12in). One INIB ID label should be placed in the centre, below the picture, accompanied by a Title. Exhibitor’s name must not be displayed.
41. A Honey Jar Label – A label of your design and actual size, in compliance with “For Sale” Regulations (see Classes 1-3) should be displayed on an A6 (105 x 148mm or 4 x 6in) card. One INIB ID label should be placed in the centre at the bottom of the card. One INIB ID label should be placed in the centre at the bottom of the display card.
42. A Practical Original Invention. Made by the exhibitor, relating to bees or beekeeping. Exhibits previously awarded a first prize in this class are excluded from entry. Dimensions not to exceed 600mm x 600mm (2ft x x2ft).
43. Schools Class – Size must not exceed A4 (210 x 297mm or 81⁄4x 113⁄4in). This class is open to primary school pupils in the age groups: 5-8 and 9-11 years. Print the title on the front of the drawing. The following must be written on the back of the poster/drawing. * Name and age group. *Name of school. Entries will be delivered from school secretaries/teachers ten working days before the show date. There is no entry fee for this class.
44. 44. Creative Depicting any type of honey, beeswax, mead, or other decorative items to enhance to display. Size not to exceed 100mm (3ftx3ft). Minimum of 8 items.

45. Floral Display – May be displayed in a container of the exhibitor’s choice. Any variety of freshly cut local, wild, or garden flowers, attractive to honeybees foraging for pollen and/or nectar. One INIB ID label should be displayed in a prominent position. The vessel will not be considered during judging.

GUIDANCE FOR EXHIBITORS: A-J

1. Bona Fide Products. All entries must be the bona fide product of the exhibitor’s bees and the exhibitors’ work.
2. Exhibits will be staged between 5.30 pm and 8 pm on Friday or 8 am and 9.30 am on the Saturday morning of the Show. Entries cannot be accepted after 9.30 am. Judging starts at 10 am sharp. Any time changes will appear in the current schedule.
3. Staging Process. Staging of exhibits will be carried out exclusively by appointed show stewards, except Display Classes 37,38,39, 42, 44, 45 These may be staged by the exhibitor through an arrangement with the honey show manager. Once displays are set up, exhibitors are requested to leave the show area without delay. Only Judges and Stewards are permitted in the judging area until after the results are announced.
4. INIB ID Labels will be supplied by the Show Secretary for all classes and should be displayed as described in the Rules and Regulations – Guidance for Exhibitors A-J and Classes 1-46. INIB ID Labels must not be altered in any way.
5. Labels for Honey Jars and Mead Bottles. Exhibitors must label every item with the INIB ID labels supplied. These labels should be placed on all jars and bottles 10-15mm (1⁄2 in) above the bottom of the jar/bottle. Class 1. – Six Jars of Honey as offered for sale, with exhibitors’ labels, must conform to current legislation under the Food Information Regulations (NI) 2014 and The Honey Regulations (NI) 2015.
6. Labels for Metheglin and Melomel. Will display a second white label specifying the content as sweet or dry. This label should be placed 25mm (1in) above the top of the INIB ID class label. Labels for all candles should be displayed lying flat. Exhibitors should bring 1 Candle holder for judging purposes. in Classes 20-23, one label should be fixed to the base of each candle and one on the front of the fire-resistant base.
7. Labels for other Miscellaneous Classes. Labels should be displayed in a prominent position. And one label affixed to the 1 candle holder.
8. When a class requires staging of more than one exhibit of the same type, the containers used, and exhibits will be matching in all respects. British Standard Squat or Irish Standard Tall Jars with gold coloured screw or twist-off lids are acceptable.
9. 1st – 6 points, 2nd – 5 points, 3rd – 4 points, Very Highly Commended – 3 points, Highly Commended – 2 points, Commended – 1 point. There are additional awards to be won. The Blue Ribbon should go to Best in Show.
10. The Judge will not be allowed to enter any classes. The Show Committee will not be responsible for the loss of or damage to exhibits. An exhibitor may enter a maximum of 6 entries in one class but is not entitled to more than one award per class. Multiple owners, when exhibiting, will be considered as one person. The INIB Honey Show Committee cannot prevent photographing exhibits.
11. Trophies and Awards. Winners of Trophies are advised that these must be properly cared for whilst in their possession, then returned clean and in good condition NO LATER THAN three weeks before the next honey show. Trophies are not insured by the INIB. The winning exhibitor is responsible for any engraving of a trophy with the year and name following previous inscriptions.
12. The Honey Judge is empowered to: – increase the number of awards in any class should the number and high standard of entries warrant this, withhold awards in cases of insufficient numbers of entries, submit for analysis any exhibit, retain all or any part of an exhibit when a protest has been made until a decision upon such protest has been taken and to determine any ambiguity as to the rules and regulations. The decision of the Judges Panel (see Rule J) under or concerning the interpretation of the Honey Show Rules and Regulations, on any matter, will be final.
13. A protest by an exhibitor must be made in writing with the name, address/phone contact number, and Class ID number to the Show Committee, on the Saturday of the Show for consideration by an Appeals Panel, consisting of – the Judges’ Referee and two other Judges who are not otherwise involved with the objection. The objection must be accompanied by a deposit of £20. Should the protest be sustained by the Appeals Panel or otherwise be considered reasonable, this deposit will be returned