A BEEKEEPING group has received a donation of more than £11,000 from the sales of plastic bags to help buy five acres of land and establish a teaching centre.

Ceri Joyner, Janet Bromley and John Holden of Gwent Beekeepers CIO recently received a cheque for £11,756.22 from Waitrose branch Abergavenny, after the branch nominated the group to receive the money collected by Waitrose stores in Wales when customers buy plastic bags.

Insect pollination plays a huge part in food production but the most prolific and important is the honey bee. Much has been said in recent years about the alarming decline in pollinators. There are many causes including changes in agricultural practice, use of insecticides and the arrival of pests from other countries. Gwent Beekeepers exists to support honeybee keepers cope with these changes and to train new beekeepers.

Gwent Beekeepers is an active group with around 170 members, ranging from hobbyists to honey bee farmers, covering the area of Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and the former borough of Islwyn. 

The group offers a programme of monthly lectures over the winter months and monthly sessions at the association apiary during the summer, in addition to regular newsletters and social events.

Prospective beekeepers are welcome to attend ’Taster Sessions’ prior to applying for a comprehensive Beginners Course, which comprises both theoretical and practical sessions.

The association also provides talks to school children, lectures, swarm collection, equipment hire, a beekeeping library - apart from a friendly venue to meet other beekeepers, old and new alike.

The generous gift has allowed the group to buy five acres of land in the centre of the county where, it is hoped, will be established a teaching apiary and teaching centre.

The donation from Waitrose Wales Plastic Bag Fund will be used to further this project.