Monmouth
Town Council are very proud of the fact that Monmouth is the first ever Bee
Town in the whole of the UK! Monmouth
has been awarded its Bee Town status by international charity Bees for
Development, in addition to its Bee Friendly status, (Caru Gwenyn) which was awarded in February 2020 by the Welsh Government, because of its efforts to make the town pollinator
friendly. Bees are crucial to our
survival, but their habitat is constantly under threat and needs protecting for
bees and other insects to survive.
The community, local residents and bee and insect experts who live locally made the huge effort to help insects thrive. Monmouth Town Council initially became involved when they were encouraged to support the project by Bees for Development, who are located in the town centre. The Town Council spent time investigating ‘bee friendly’ activities in and around the town and what could be further achieved in the future.
The Council were also supported by Monmouthshire County Council’s Nature Isn’t Neat Project, aimed at eradicating pesticides, leaving areas of the town’s grassed areas uncut, or not mowed as often, and letting wildflowers grow naturally. There are three trial areas in the town where there will be no cutting at all and there is also local support for the ‘No Mow May’ initiative by Plantlife.
We have had feedback from Jon Mason @theearlybirder on Instagram regarding our pollinator friendly planters along the high street, check it out below: