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25,000 new residents for Carmarthen

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Martin Aaron Martin Aaron | 10:35 UK time, Friday, 30 July 2010

Don't panic! It's not a new government housing initiative for West Wales - It's bees.

Remember the joint partnership between the BBC and the National Trust - Bee Part Of It that I blogged about back in May?

The plan was to introduce 45 new honey bee colonies to the UK with two being in Wales, which will be adopted and monitored by Radio Wales.

Beekeepers and the new hive:

beekeepers_dinefwr.jpgI'm happy to announce that the first hive for Wales is now in place at Dinefwr on the outskirts of Llandeilo where 25,000 new bees have recently taken up residence.

Over the summer, Radio Wales presenters - Jamie Owen and Louise Elliott will tell the story of the hive with help from Jo Horsley - the Beekeeper at Dinefwr.

"We're so excited to represent Wales in the 'Bee Part of It' campaign" Said Jo. 

"When the bees arrived, the delivery driver leapt out of his van and told me he had live bees on board expecting me to be shocked but was amazed when I told him they were for me!"  

"Thousands of little heads were sticking out of the box very anxious to get out and search for food and they were soon zooming off over the deer park looking for flowers in their new home."

"The bees were blessed with glorious weather and an abundant supply of forage in the form of white clover so it was a perfect time to settle them in."

Three local volunteers - Kevin Henry, Owen Williams and Michael Saywell who are all new to beekeeping, will be helping Jo to look after the hive.

Jo went on to say: "We look through the bees every nine days or so. They are an absolute pleasure to handle, so different from the Welsh Blacks I keep in my own hives who soon make it clear they would rather be left alone."

Bees in the hive:

bees_dinefwr.jpg 

"The large, very yellow queen is happily settled and has produced lots of eggs and young larvae. The worker bees have done a great job of building the honeycomb cells where they will raise their young."

"We've also given them a second box to encourage them to store honey. The National Bee Inspector for Wales has also paid us a visit and has confirmed that the bees are happy and healthy in their new home."

Visitors to the Newton House at Dinefwr will be able to see the hive from the garden.

 

Gull

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