Washed out shows but there's a buzz in the air...

Will it be a complete washout for our summer shows this year? The welsh castle opening its doors for the first time. Calling time in one Carmarthenshire village about to lose its local and creating a buzz in Pembrokeshire with a new beekeeping centre

Last updated: 08 July 2012

Country Focus - Sunday 8th July at 0700; presented by Rachael Garside and repeated Monday 9th July at 0530

The relentless wet weather we've been experiencing is taking it's toll on summer events this year with a number of shows having to cancel due to waterlogged fields

If you happen to be in Flintshire over the coming months and you see a clergyman brandishing a scythe, don't be alarmed, he's probably just part of a new conservation project that's being trialled in the area to safeguard ancient churchyards. The aim of the Living Churchyards scheme is to see them bloom once again with wildflowers, and to create havens for wildlife.

Stradey castle near Llanelli, is a fine example of a mid-Victorian house and has been owned by the Mansel Lewis family for five generations. But maintaining such a property is a costly business, and this year the castle has opened its doors to the public for the first time. Rachael Garside is taken on a heritage tours of the estate, led by the owners themselves.

The village of Brechfa in Carmarthenshire has battled to survive over the years - it's lost it's post office, it's chapel and the school is closing and now the pub goes up for auction this week. We speak to the chairman of the Llanfihangel Rhos y Corn and Brechfa Community Association .

Earlier this year, the Pembrokeshire Beekeepers' Association was awarded grants totalling almost £48 thousand pounds, to help it develop a unique Beekeeping Centre, at Scolton Manor near Haverfordwest. The Centre aims not only to educate the public about bees, and about keeping bees, but also to develop a specific strain of Pembrokeshire bee, which is more resistant to damp weather and disease.