IF you’ve always wanted to keep bees, now could be your chance as Brockweir, Hewelsfield and St Briavels Garden Society is offering a grant of up to £300 to support a new beekeeper for 2017.

Spokesperson for the society, David Broadbent, said: “Anyone resident within the parishes of Alvington, Aylburton, Coleford, Hewelsfield and Brockweir, Lydney, Newland, St. Briavels, Tidenham, West Dean or Woolaston who wishes to take up beekeeping within any of those areas is eligible to apply for a start-up grant of up to £300. This will cover a basic beekeeping course and membership of the Dean Forest Branch of the Beekeepers’ Association, with money left over for equipment.

Visit the website at www.wyegarden.com or email [email protected] and ask for an application form.”

The closing date for applications is December 20 with a follow-up interview in January 2017.