MONMOUTH is hosting its third Bee Festival at the Nelson Garden and other venues across the town this Sunday (May 20).

The festival will feature the Artizani Bee Theatre with a day of family-orientated activities and competitions taking place. This secret Georgian garden was a favourite of Admiral Nelson and is currently being restored to its 19th century glory with the Memorial Pavilion being painted in the same colours as Nelsons flagship, HMS Victory. The garden can be accessed from the Monnow Street car park.

Another bee friendly garden is being opened up to the public, The Gardens, at NP25 3HF between 10am and 4pm. This edge-of-town garden has been cultivated since the house was built in 1930 but is now managed to enhance and develop the varied wildlife habitats found here, from its origins of hillside pasture to the latest addition, a large wildlife pond.

The front lawn has been allowed to revert to the wild flower meadow and solitary bees nest in the south facing slope, frogs and newts inhabit the pond. Monmouth’s most unique shop, Bees for Development, features all things bee related and is also open.