Ysgrifennwyd gan Coed Lleol Fersiwn Cymraeg o'r eitem hon yn dod yn fuan...

The founders of one of the first community woodlands in Wales have been busy bringing the woods into the heart of residents' lives.

Kilvey Community Woodland Volunteers were formed back in the early 1990s through a joint initiative between the Forestry Commission and the City and County of Swansea.

The group looked after one of Swansea’s largest urban fringe woodlands - which command stunning views over the city, Swansea Bay and the exciting SA1 redevelopment project - through an informal agreement with Forestry Commission Wales, which managed the land on behalf of the Welsh Assembly.

But a year ago the volunteers signed a formal agreement with FC Wales to take on the role of woodland managers - and since then have embarked on a variety of events aimed at bringing local people closer to their woods.

Over the past year, the community has collected about 350 bags of litter in a series of clean-up days in conjunction with Keep Wales Tidy, and the volunteers organised a kite-flying festival and community barbecues with Grenfell Park, St Thomas and Port Tennant Partnership.

Other events to attract people to the woods included a storytelling day, an Easter egg hunt and a number of "conservation days" with local schools, working on environmental projects such as removing pine seedlings to encourage heathland development.

FC Wales Community Ranger Jonathan Price said, "The volunteers have worked tirelessly over the past year and have made a real impact in getting local people to use the woods for recreation.

"We're thrilled to see the progress the group has made in transforming the area and creating a fine example of how woodlands can bring so many benefits to local communities."

Jane Britton, the secretary of Kilvey Volunteers, said new members were always welcome.

"We work with communities from all around Kilvey Hill, promoting conservation, health and fitness and making the environment a better place for everyone," she said.

For more information on Kilvey woodlands, contact Jonathan Price on 01633 580218, mobile 07789 922748.

If you'd like to become a member of Kilvey Community Woodland Volunteers, contact Jane Britton on 01792 480231.