Monmouthshire County Council will celebrate the work of those who encourage and promote pollinators at a networking event from 1pm to 5pm on Tuesday 17th July at Usk’s Incredible Edible garden near County Hall.

The occasion will bring together beekeepers involved in the Vale of Usk Rural Development Programme’s BEES project and organisations like the Monmouth-based charity Bees for Development and Bee Friendly Monmouthshire.

The BEES project raises awareness of beekeeping and its importance to biological systems and diversity with organisations, schools and the general public, working co-operatively to share skills, ideas and best practice. A measure of the project’s success is that its ethos has been adopted and adapted elsewhere, notably in Sweden.

Usk’s Incredible Edible garden is run along the principles of the Incredible Edible movement and allows volunteers to grow vegetables or fruit as well as other plants that tempt pollinators like bees. It aims to show how simple it is to create an environment that entices all pollinator species, providing habitats, shelter and food. The garden also includes an apiary of

12 beehives which is overseen by the Gwent Beekeepers charity. The event will feature a tour of the garden and apiary.

Deputy Leader, County Councillor Bob Greenland said:

“Pollinators are vital to our survival so we must take action to ensure they thrive. This event will draw together those people and organisations whose role is crucial to their continued existence. We will also celebrate the work of the projects that promote bees and other pollinators.”

For more information about the work the council has carried out to encourage pollinators at its Incredible Edible Usk Garden visit: http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/incredible-edible-usk