Wales' First Minister Carwin Jones visited Monmouth's Bees for Development last Thursday (12th June) to officially open the charity's new Honey Hub. Mr Jones was welcomed to the shop by charity staff, volunteers and officials from Monmouthshire County Council (MCC). The Honey Hub, now more offices for the team, was converted from a derelict space behind the building with the help of a match-funded Broadening Business Rural Conversion Grant from MCC. The space has allowed the charity to hire two new members of staff, who will continue to expand the work that Bees for Development currently does. The team work with honey producers across the world - including Nepal, Chechnya, South Africa and Uganda – to increase livelihoods through sustainable and Eco-friendly bee farming. Biryomumaisho Dickson, executive director of The Uganda National Apiculture Development Association, was at the opening to welcome Mr Jones and speak of the benefits of keeping bees in Uganda. Bees for Development have provided two honey vans in the country, which are used to transport products from remote areas to central markets and distribution centres. He said: "We barely had a market before, but Bees for Development have taught us that information is power. "We send a leaflet about bee keeping into homes, and now there are half a million people interested in keeping bees. It can double a household income." Famous face Kate Humble, who works with Bees for Development running courses on her Penallt farm, was also present to welcome the First Minister. Mr Jones has worked with the charity since his first visit in 2009. He flew to Mbale in Uganda in January to see first-hand the work that the team does. He said: "It is important that we share our farming experiences to help others. "It also makes us realise how fortunate we are in Wales to have the tools and facilities we need. "As a Government we're proud to be working with the charity internationally through Wales for Africa and on our Action Plan for Pollinators here in Wales, and I wish the team the best of luck as they go from strength to strength." Bees for Development's director, Dr Nicola Bradbear, said: "We are delighted to welcome Carwyn Jones to open our new offices and the Monmouthshire Honey Hub. "The project has been supported with matched funds from the Broadening Business: Rural Conversion Grant Scheme delivered in Monmouthshire under the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-13. "The restoration will enable us to expand our core work and provide working space for two new full-time posts. "The work has provided an additional self-contained office unit that will provide an opportunity for microbusinesses in the town, as well as additional income to sustain the work of BfD." • The Beacon took the opportunity to ask Mr Jones, while he was in town, what he thought of current cross-border health system worries expressed by some Monmouthshire residents ('Welsh Government can't afford to save my friend's life', 11th June). He simply said: "If people need to have health care in England, there are procedures set up for that. "If you suffer from cancer though, you'd rather be treated in Wales than England. We spend more on cancer treatment each year and survival rates are higher."