Monmouth was abuzz with activity when broadcaster and beekeeper Bill Turnbull officially opened the new Bees for Development premises and launched the town's first Bee Festival.

Bill, a patron of the Bees for Development Trust, cut an enormous ribbon which adorned the front of the trust's offices and shop at 1 Agincourt Street, Monmouth, using a pair of gold shears and leaning out of an upstairs window.

He then took a tour around the stalls at the Bee Festival in the Shire Hall opposite and signed copies of his new book The Bad Beekeepers Club (his first book, about the ups and downs of beekeeping). Bill agreed to become a Patron of the Trust roughly 10 years ago when he was approached by its founder Dr Nicola Bradbear at a beekeeping convention in Stoneleigh in Warwickshire. Since then he has also helped to recruit Sting to their cause, as a fellow Patron.

"It is really good to be here for the opening," he said, explaining that beekeeping appeals to his sense of adventure.

"You are never quite sure what is going to happen with bees next. The bees themselves are fascinating, intricate creatures. Beekeeping allows you to give something back to nature, it is also very peaceful and quite therapeutic being with the bees and you also make a lot of friends keeping bees."

Bill delighted his audience with tales of some of his exploits as a beekeeper in a well-attended talk about his hobby which was a highlight of the Bee Festival, organised by the Trust in conjunction with Adventa, part of Monmouthshire's Rural Development Programme.

There was also a talk by Dr Nicola Bradbear, who set up Bees for Development in 1993 to run development projects with vulnerable communities in the poorest parts of the world, helping them to improve their livelihoods through keeping bees and selling honey.

A third popular talk was given by Brigit Strawbridge, a renowned bumblebee expert and lead participant in the TV show, It's Not Easy Being Green.

The Bee Festival was a hive of activity and visitors of all ages had the opportunity to learn how to roll beeswax candles, find out about beekeeping, stock up with the nectar and pollen-rich plants bees are attracted to and buy a whole host of honey-related and bee-themed products.

There was also masses to keep the children busy. They came away with their faces painted as butterflies and bees and joined in with honey-themed street theatre from Pif Paf, whose walkabout show, The Bee Cart, is supported by The Co-operative's Plan Bee.

For more information about Bees for Development visit the website http://www.beesfordevelopment.org">www.beesfordevelopment.org, phone 01600 714848 or visit 1 Agincourt Street Monmouth.