Welsh castle goes bee-friendly

In a joint effort between volunteers from Aberystwyth Friends of the Earth and Ceredigion County Council a programme of bee-friendly planting is being undertaken in the grounds of Aberystwyth Castle (Welsh: Castell Aberystwyth). As reported in the Welsh newspaper Cambrian News, Ceredigion council have provided the plants and equipment while Aberystwyth Friends of the Earth provided the volunteers. The plants chosen are specifically known to attract pollinating insects like bees.

The construction of Aberystwyth Castle was begun by Edward 1st in 1277 on the sight of an earlier fortification. The Welsh took the castle in 1282 and it was burnt down. It was not fully completed until 1289. In 1404, the castle fell to the Welsh forces Owain Glyndŵr and until 1408 became an important seat of Welsh government. The castle suffered partial destruction in 1649 on the orders of Oliver Cromwell to render it unusable as a fortress. This was after its use by royalist forces during the Civil War (1642–1651). Located inside the castle walls today is the bardic circle of 13 stones, with each stone representing of the old, pre-1974 Welsh counties. This was erected during the 1916 Eisteddfod. The castle is now also noted for its attractive and well-maintained castle grounds.