Beekeeping in Pembrokeshire has received a major boost following the opening of the Pembrokeshire Beekeeping Centre at Scolton Manor.

The centre, developed by Pembrokeshire Beekeepers’ Association, was officially opened last week by Welsh Government Minister, Edwina Hart, when she visited Scolton to inaugurate the Victorian walled garden.

The beekeeping centre includes the Pine Tree Apiary with live hives for training beekeepers, a Bee Hive exhibition with a live ‘bee cam’ straight from one of the hives, and a Honey Kitchen for extracting and bottling honey.

Apiary Manager for Pembrokeshire Beekeepers’ Association, Paul Eades, said the opening of the centre marked an important milestone for beekeeping in Pembrokeshire.

He added: “Our aim was to develop a centre of excellence for beekeeping in Pembrokeshire and also make it an exciting attraction for the whole family to enjoy.

“It has been a four year journey which would have been impossible without the funding obtained from the Prince’s Countryside Fund, and Environment Wales, together with the terrific support we have received from Pembrokeshire County Council in making it a reality on site.”

As well as training future beekeepers, the centre also produces its own honey from the hives, which can be purchased in the Scolton Manor shop.