The Bees for Development, Monmouth Bee Festival was a hive of activity and excitement on Saturday afternoon, held in the beautiful surroundings of The Nelson Garden.
The afternoon began with bright sunshine, drawing people from the community to join the charity and other local environmental organisations in a summer celebration of bees and pollinators.
![Nicola Bradbear chats with skep maker Chris Park from Oxfordshire](https://www.monmouthshirebeacon.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/06/24/14/11/BFD-open-day-2.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
The festival welcomed their new CEO Megan Denver.
This year’s festival featured a variety of activities and creative endeavours, including Bee walks, Bee House making, Observation hive, Skep-making demonstrations, Face painting, Seed ball making, badge making, and, of course, an opportunity to try and buy honey from around the world.
Refreshments, including locally brewed mead, a cake stall, and fresh strawberries, were particularly popular, offering families the chance to explore, enjoy the music and relax in The Nelson Garden.
![Sophie Richards with George, 5, and Ruby, 1, soak up the atmosphere](https://www.monmouthshirebeacon.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/06/24/14/41/BFD-open-day-6.jpg?trim=0,0,2,0&width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
Monmouth Bee Festival organiser, Jenny Handley expressed her gratitude, saying, “As always, there are so many people to thank. The Nelson Garden, Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co., Humble-Bee Gardeners, Gwent Beekeeping Association, Chris Park, Gwent Wildlife Trust, ACE Monmouth, Friends of the Lower Wye, Monmouthshire Meadows, AONB.
![Isaac, Baxter, Hattie and Ramona making bee houses](https://www.monmouthshirebeacon.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/06/24/14/35/BFD-open-day-8.jpg?trim=0,0,2,0&width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
The event could not have been possible without our generous sponsors, Ottimo Digital, Lyrita Nimbus Arts, Evans of Monmouth, and Windmill Hill Fruits. And our wonderful volunteers. But most of all, the people of Monmouth for coming and enjoying the event. Community is very much at the core of Bees for Development.”
![Enjoying the sunny weather on Woggledance Walk](https://www.monmouthshirebeacon.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/06/24/14/49/BFD-open-day-7.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
Bees for Development's mission is to improve lives through bees and beekeeping in the poorest nations, combating poverty, promoting biodiversity, and fostering resilient livelihoods. To learn more about their work, visit The Bee Shop, where the team is always on hand to discuss their efforts, or go to www.beesfordevelopment.org.
For more information, contact: Jenny Handley – [email protected] – 07399 000752