1st Hewanorra National Honey Show

The 1st Hewanorra National Honey Show was held at the Castries Town Hall on the 9th & 10th of December, 2021. The show represented the culmination of the 2020/2021 GEF SGP UNDP “Peoples Knowledge Fair”, which began on November 22nd 2020, at the Financial Center with an exemplary listing of guest speakers from the field of Apiculture: Dr. Nicola Bradbear (President of Apimondia’s Scientific Commission for Beekeeping for Rural Development), Jenifer Holms (Co-chair of Slow Food Gold & Treasure Coast, USA) and Mr. Aubrey Roberts (President Association of Caribbean Beekeeper Organizations). Mr. Jose Louise of Indian Bees and Mr. Allen Shaji of Leopard Tech Ltd. launched the Caribbeans first hive app, which was developed to support regional beekeepers with hive management. His Excellency Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu (Indian High Commissioner), brought greetings and goodwill from India to mark this special occasion.

During the last two years, despite the limitations of COVID-19, Iyanola Apiculture Collective (IAC) and the ACBO have been working with local beekeepers, building their capacity to participate in a honey show within the region. It is unclear, but this may be the first honey show within the region within the last 7 years.

As part of the build up to the event, The IAC completed a three-day lecture series at their headquarters at Cas del Vega, Vigie. It started with an innovative workshop conducted by Head Judge Sue Carter, which provided entrants with key information on preparing entries for the show. Other important offerings included queen rearing, bee nutrition and Varroa mite management hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Repka, John Fredrick, Aluen CAP and Richard Matthias. The lecture series had local and regional attendance, reflecting the strong interest in apiculture across the Caribbean. Links to the audio recording and presentations can be found on the IAC’s YouTube channel and website.

This first honey show was a resounding success with 81 entries from 28 entrants in competition classes for extracted and comb honey, wax, photography, and confectionery / cooking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Honey Show was very competitive, with entrants from across the country. The three biggest winners from the competition were Vincent “JEG” Clarke, Donson Stainly and Natalie Alphonse. JEG as he is known by his friends claimed 1st place Light Amber and 1st place Chunk Honey, 4th place Medium Amber and 6th place Wax Block, all of which contributed to him winning the Ministers Cup for Best in Show (Honey & Wax Classes).

 

Natalie Alphonse quietly picked up the Most Points in Show, by placing 2nd Medium Amber, 2nd Photography, 4th Honey Cake, 4th Baked Goods and 4th Commercial Product, a super effort, and a Beekeeper to lookout for closely, at the next honey show.

Young Donson Stainly performed well within the competition and won 1st place Commercial Product along with a Certificate of merit from the Judges.

 

One of the key highlights of the event was the simultaneous exhibition of GEF SGP grantees consisting of an array of honey producers, chocolatiers, Fisher Folk, sea moss producers, baked goods and cosmetic products available for sale. This gave the public an opportunity to see firsthand some of the success stories the GEF SGP program has helped to cultivate over the years.

 

The Hewannora National Honey Show could not have happened without the support of event title sponsor GEF SGP UNDP (St. Lucia), and special debt of gratitude is owed to their National Coordinator Mr. Giles Romulus. Alongside the efforts of GEF SGP there was a collaborating team of sponsors and volunteers Ministry of Agriculture – Hon. Minister. Prosper, Mr. Sidney (MoA Communications), Iyanola Apiculture Collective (IAC), Caribbean Youth Environmental Network (CYEN), SLHTA – Mr. Noorani Azeez, Castries City Council (CCC) – Mayor Geraldine Lendor-Gabriel, IICA – Mr. Gregg Rawlins, Brent Theophile, SLUNCF – Mr. Craig Thomas, Massy Stores – Mr. Dunston Demille, Cox & Co. – Mrs. Siobhan Beaubrun, MBC TV Andrew “Yardie” Haynes, JE Bergasse “Copy Center” – Jennifer Bak, The Trophy Center – Mrs. Lorde and Ali Etienne and the team at Quantum Brokerage Services.

 

To the event volunteers’ special thanks is extended starting with our Judges Ms. Sue Carter, Mr. Bill Fisher, Chef Orlando, Show Secretary – Ms. Samantha Justin, Community Outreach Officer – Dalia Carobere, Show Stewards – Creselma Hippolyte and Shernel McDonald, and at the GEF SGP Office Ms. Stephanie Peter.

 

Honey Show Results