EVENTS Latest News & Events
Catch up with the Bee Farmer at these events during 2026.
January
Talk to Broughton Astley WI
Date: 13th/01/2025
Event Location: Broughton Astley Village Hall, Station Rd, Broughton Astley, Leicester LE9 6PR
Status: Private
Talk to Hartshorne Ladies Club
Date: 22nd/01/2025
Event Location: Dethick Hall, Manchester Lane, Hartshorne, Derbyshire
Status: Private
Rufford Abbey Market
Date: 11th/01/2025
Event Location: Rufford Abbey, Ollerton, Newark NG22 9DF
Time 10AM - 3PM
Rufford Abbey Country Park is proud to host YOUR LOCAL Farmers and Producers Market — a monthly celebration of British farming, independent makers, and delicious, seasonal produce.
Brought to you by Picks Organic Farm, this vibrant market champions the best in local food, farming, and handmade produce.
This vibrant market brings together local growers, artisans, and food producers for a day full of flavour, creativity, and community spirit.
Expect fresh, seasonal produce direct from local farms, alongside artisanal breads, cheeses, meats, and indulgent sweet treats. There’ll be handcrafted gifts and rural-inspired crafts, all lovingly made by passionate producers and independent makers. With friendly faces, a family-friendly atmosphere, and fantastic food, it’s the perfect way to enjoy your Sunday at Rufford.
The market’s mission is to celebrate local, support British farming, and give talented producers a platform to shine.
Status: Public
February
Talk to Ivanhoe Vintage Machinery Club
Date: 4th/02/2025
Event Location: Ivanhoe Social Club, 1 Wilfred Pl, Ashby-de-la-Zouch LE65 2GW
Status: Private
The Beekeeping Show
Date: 21st/02/2025
Event Location: Telford International Centre, International Way,
Telford, TF3 4JH
Status: Public - Early bird tickets available. Advanced booking perferable. Tickets available onthe door.
To book your place click HERE
The Beekeeping Show is the premier UK beekeeping trade show, attracting visitors and exhibitors from worldwide. 1,850+ visitors and 60+ exhibitors. Central UK location, within minutes of the national motorway and rail networks; free on-site parking for attendees. Telford International Centre is the perfect venue for the premier British beekeeping show.
The venue has over 1,500 car parking spaces on site, all within easy walking distance of the show hall.
With over 400 hotel rooms within minutes' walk of the venue, why not take the opportunity to meet up and socialise with others with a passion for beekeeping, either before or after the event?
Foundation Course in Beekeeping
Date: 7-8th/02/2025
Event Location: Old School Room, Main Street, Blackfordby, DE11 8AB
Status: Public - Advanced booking only - 9am - 5pm
To book your place click HERE
The objective of the course is to provide a well rounded knowledge of keeping honeybees to get the beginner off to flying start. A beekeeper needs to be proactive since the bees have their own agenda and will carry on regardless. Understanding how and why bees work will lead to a greater enjoyment of your honeybees and to recognise when they need support.
Below is an outline of the syllabus.
History of Honeybees
Anatomy of the Honeybee
Life cycle of the honeybee
Swarming - What it is and how to deal with it
Pest & diseases - Identification and remedial actions
Hives - Types, pros and cons
Colony assessment & hygiene
Bee keeping annual diary
Health, safety & PPE
Record keeping
Apiaries - site selection, risk assessment
March
Rufford Abbey Market
Date: 8th/03/2025
Event Location: Rufford Abbey, Ollerton, Newark NG22 9DF
Time 10AM - 3PM
Rufford Abbey Country Park is proud to host YOUR LOCAL Farmers and Producers Market — a monthly celebration of British farming, independent makers, and delicious, seasonal produce.
Brought to you by Picks Organic Farm, this vibrant market champions the best in local food, farming, and handmade produce.
This vibrant market brings together local growers, artisans, and food producers for a day full of flavour, creativity, and community spirit.
Expect fresh, seasonal produce direct from local farms, alongside artisanal breads, cheeses, meats, and indulgent sweet treats. There’ll be handcrafted gifts and rural-inspired crafts, all lovingly made by passionate producers and independent makers. With friendly faces, a family-friendly atmosphere, and fantastic food, it’s the perfect way to enjoy your Sunday at Rufford.
The market’s mission is to celebrate local, support British farming, and give talented producers a platform to shine.
Status: Public
Foundation Course in Beekeeping
Date: 21-22nd/03/2025
Event Location: Old School Room, Main Street, Blackfordby, DE11 8AB
Status: Public - Advanced booking only - 9am - 5pm
To book your place click HERE
The objective of the course is to provide a well rounded knowledge of keeping honeybees to get the beginner off to flying start. A beekeeper needs to be proactive since the bees have their own agenda and will carry on regardless. Understanding how and why bees work will lead to a greater enjoyment of your honeybees and to recognise when they need support.
Below is an outline of the syllabus.
History of Honeybees
Anatomy of the Honeybee
Life cycle of the honeybee
Swarming - What it is and how to deal with it
Pest & diseases - Identification and remedial actions
Hives - Types, pros and cons
Colony assessment & hygiene
Bee keeping annual diary
Health, safety & PPE
Record keeping
Apiaries - site selection, risk assessment
April
Foundation Course in Beekeeping
Date: 11-12th/04/2025
Event Location: Old School Room, Main Street, Blackfordby, DE11 8AB
Status: Public - Advanced booking only - 9am - 5pm
To book your place click HERE
The objective of the course is to provide a well rounded knowledge of keeping honeybees to get the beginner off to flying start. A beekeeper needs to be proactive since the bees have their own agenda and will carry on regardless. Understanding how and why bees work will lead to a greater enjoyment of your honeybees and to recognise when they need support.
Below is an outline of the syllabus.
History of Honeybees
Anatomy of the Honeybee
Life cycle of the honeybee
Swarming - What it is and how to deal with it
Pest & diseases - Identification and remedial actions
Hives - Types, pros and cons
Colony assessment & hygiene
Bee keeping annual diary
Health, safety & PPE
Record keeping
Apiaries - site selection, risk assessment
May
.
Moira Canal festival
Date: 16th-17th/05/2025
Event Location: Moira Furnace, Furnace Lane, Moira, DE12 6AT
Status: Public - 9am - 4pm
Whether it is a Battle of Britain Memorial Fight flypast, Morris dancing, children's crafts, local bands and singers, historical re-enactment or something more unusual... there is always something to entertain the whole family at the Moira Canal Festival.
There will be a planned Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast, music with an assortment of bands and singers over the weekend. Morris dancing will liven things up, there will be crafty fun and entertainment for the children, live steam, train rides, a variety of stalls and demonstrations, boats, bar and refreshments This will all revolve around the banks of the Ashby Canal at Moira Furnace at the Heart of the National Forest. And meet Mother Duck and her ducklings and enter a duck in the annual Duck Race along the Ashby Canal
June
Ashby Steam
Date: TBC - 20 & 21st/06/2025
Event Location: Scamhazel Farm, Boundary, Nr. Ashby de la Zouch, DE11 7BA
Status: Public - Book in advance or pay on the gate - 10am - 5pm
For more information go to https://www.ashbysteam.co.uk/
Visitors can step back in time and see:
steam engines
vintage tractors
historical motor vehicles
stationary engines
miniature steam
funfair and children's entertainment
trade and craft stalls
and much, much more!!
Foundation Course in Beekeeping
Date: TBC _ 27-28nd/06/2025
Event Location: Old School Room, Main Street, Blackfordby, DE11 8AB
Status: Public - Advanced booking only - 9am - 5pm
To book your place click HERE
The objective of the course is to provide a well rounded knowledge of keeping honeybees to get the beginner off to flying start. A beekeeper needs to be proactive since the bees have their own agenda and will carry on regardless. Understanding how and why bees work will lead to a greater enjoyment of your honeybees and to recognise when they need support.
Below is an outline of the syllabus.
History of Honeybees
Anatomy of the Honeybee
Life cycle of the honeybee
Swarming - What it is and how to deal with it
Pest & diseases - Identification and remedial actions
Hives - Types, pros and cons
Colony assessment & hygiene
Bee keeping annual diary
Health, safety & PPE
Record keeping
Apiaries - site selection, risk assessment
July
Ashby Show
Date: 12th/07/2025
Event Location: Cattows Farm, Showground Address, Normanton Ln, Heather, Coalville LE67 2TD
Status: Public
Ashby Show has all the charm of a traditional country show and offers something for everyone. This family-friendly event will also be hosting a wide range of show classes for cattle, sheep, horses, show jumpers, poultry & pigeons, budgies plus a whole host of trade stands, country crafts, award winning artisan local produce and plenty of quality food courts.
Bring along your four-legged companions, who can take part in the ever-popular Fun Dog Show classes. So, if you have the Cutest Puppy, Waggiest Tail or a Master/Mistress of Mayhem, then make sure you bring them along to enjoy the day with you. (All dogs must be kept on leads at all times).
Foundation Course in Beekeeping
Date: TBC - 18-19th/07/2025
Event Location: Old School Room, Main Street, Blackfordby, DE11 8AB
Status: Public - Advanced booking only - 9am - 5pm
To book your place click HERE
The objective of the course is to provide a well rounded knowledge of keeping honeybees to get the beginner off to flying start. A beekeeper needs to be proactive since the bees have their own agenda and will carry on regardless. Understanding how and why bees work will lead to a greater enjoyment of your honeybees and to recognise when they need support.
Below is an outline of the syllabus.
History of Honeybees
Anatomy of the Honeybee
Life cycle of the honeybee
Swarming - What it is and how to deal with it
Pest & diseases - Identification and remedial actions
Hives - Types, pros and cons
Colony assessment & hygiene
Bee keeping annual diary
Health, safety & PPE
Record keeping
Apiaries - site selection, risk assessment
August
September
Talk to Quorn WI
Date: 11th/01/2025
Event Location: Quorn Village Hall, 64 Leicester Rd, Quorn, Loughborough LE12 8BB
Status: Private
October
East Midlands Food Festival
Date: TBC - 3 & 4/10/2022
Event Location: Cattle Market, Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1JY
Status: Public 10am to 4pm
The East Midland Food Festival has been going for more than 20 years and is a showcase of food from across the East Midlands and beyond. All undercover.
Famed for its artisan producers of cheese, pies, charcuterie, chocolate and all sorts of goodies, the festival is one of the largest UK regional food festivals. A number of them offer tasters to tempt you to buy. The festival also boasts and array of drink producers from cider and beer to the strong spirits such as artisan gin and whisky. All of these stands are under cover and so accessible whatever the weather.
A street food area will provide mouth-watering food to go from a variety of countries and cultures.
Complementing the food producers will be the Food Theatre with local chefs demonstrating easy recipes many using the ingredients found at the festival. A Kids Zone will keep the children engaged and educated. There will also be workshops for adults!
An award winning gospel choir and other musicians will provide entertainment with a variety of street food for those who get hungry during the Festival.
Tickets are £6 per day per person in advance or on the gate. Children 16 and enter free but must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets can be purchased on the gate during the Festival
For full detail see their website at https://www.meltonfestivals.co.uk/east-midlands-food-festival/
Donisthorpe Apple Day
Date: 11/10/2022
Event Location: The Orchard Allotments, Hall Lane, Donisthorpe, Leicestershire
Status: Public 11am - 3pm
Entry: Free
These are a few things you can expect to see, Homemade produce from The Allotment Society, The Bee Farmer, Facepainting, crafts, story teller, Bird of Prey, cider competition, Donisthorpe School Choir, The Coal Tits, tea, coffee and cakes.
NVTEC
Date: 19/10/2024
Event Location: Sapcote Working mens club
Status: Private -club members
November
December
TBC -Sir John Moore Winter Fair
Date: TBC/12/2024
Event Location: Sir John Moore School, New Road,
Appleby Magna. DE12 7AW
Status: Private 7pm - 9pm
Website: Sir John Moore School
Dixie Grammar Christmas Fair
Date: TBC/12/2024
Event Location: Blackfordby Ln, Moira, DE12 6EX
Appleby Magna. DE12 7AW
Status: Private 4pm - 6pm
Website: