Antique books, blocks of yellow beeswax, stainless steel honey extractors and wooden bee hives made up some of the 200 or so lots at Taunton Beekeepers’ 25th annual auction held on Sunday, March 23.

Beekeepers from all over the Westcountry descended on Ruishton Village Hall near Taunton to bid on all manner of equipment and paraphernalia used to keep bees and harvest and process hive products.

Chris Harries, of Sedgemoor Honey Farm, once again took up his place on the podium as auctioneer and encouraged lively bidding for items ranging in price from just £2 to more than £300.

Chairman Mary Adams said: “I was delighted with the turnout, both in terms of items to go under the hammer and with the huge number of buyers.

“The hall and stage were filled with all sorts of things that are useful in the apiary or extracting room and gave those in need of some second hand equipment a chance to pick up a good deal.”
 
Proceeds from the sale will be put towards the completion of Taunton’s new building at its teaching apiary. Members have been planning and fundraising for many years to build a fit-for-purpose structure to help educate beekeepers during these difficult times for honeybees and other pollinators.

Taunton Beekeepers, which has nearly 200 members, works to advance the craft of apiculture and to promote general awareness and understanding of honeybees.

For more visit www.somersetbeekeepers.org.uk