Merthyr Tydfil

Coed Lleol support woodland activity groups in Merthyr Tydfil as part of our Actif Woods Wales programme and Connecting People and Nature Project.

Join us for woodland activities

Actif Woods Wales (AWW):

Actif Woods Wales is a woodland health and wellbeing activity programme.

Woodland Crafts – Tuesdays, monthly

First Tuesday of every month, 10am – 1pm. Cyfarthfa Park. Free woodland crafts for all abilities!

Our Woodcraft Group meets to do a variety of fun outdoor activities. All aimed at improving people’s health and wellbeing and allowing people to explore new skills. Including – green woodwork, gentle exercise, wildlife walks, crafts, foraging, mindfulness. See poster below for more information. Contact Carys for more information actifwoodsmerthyr@smallwoods.org.uk, 07387 738 607

Walking Group – Fridays

10am – 11am every Friday. Meet at the Bothy, Cyfarthfa Park.

A brisk walk and chat to clear out the cobwebs. Route varies. £2 per walk. Meet outside the Bothy at 10am (next to the car park and greenhouses). Contact Carys for more information: actifwoodsmerthyr@smallwoods.org.uk or 07387 738 607

Connecting People and Nature Project (CPAN):

Coed Lleol and the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales were successful in a joint funding bid from the Rural Development Fund. We have funding for 3 years to work specifically on four sites within the rural wards of Merthyr Tydfil – Bedlinog, Vaynor, Bryngoleu and Gellideg. The aim of the project is to involve the whole community in using the sites and for the sites themselves to be improved and hopefully designated as LNR’s (Local Nature Reserves). Activities include a seasonal community days (four a year), environmental volunteer days, school activities and one-off events. 2019 activities:

Community Events

Sunday 28 July – Medicinal Foraging session – 10am – 1pm, Nant Llwynog Park, Bedlinog. FREE
More events coming soon.

Contact Anna for information: annastickland@smallwoods.org.uk or 07765 213514

Regular activities:

Weekly Woodland Activity Sessions

Beginning in September in Taff Fechan (Vaynor Ward)

Activities to include: green woodwork, willow weaving, foraging, mindfulness, campfire cooking, bird watching, charcoal making, Open College Network (OCN) qualification opportunities, and more. Contact Anna for information: annastickland@smallwoods.org.uk or 07765 213514

Open College Network (OCN) short courses

Plant, Tree and Bug training (Species ID) – 3 days
Safe Use of Hand Tools (OCN Level 1) – 3 days
More dates to follow.

These Open College Network courses are free three day courses suitable for beginners. OCN courses will run every month, and can also be delivered bespoke for existing groups. Contact Anna for information: annastickland@smallwoods.org.uk or 07765 213514

Find us on Facebook

Have a look at our Facebook page for regular updates and photos from the groups and activities!

Actif Woods Wales Merthyr: www.facebook.com/ActifWoodsMerthyr

Connecting People and Nature: www.facebook.com/ConnectingPeopleandNature

Get in touch

Contact us if you are interested in getting involved in our projects in Merthyr Tydfil, either as a partner organisation, participant or woodland activity provider.

Carys Solman (right) – Woodland Mentor: Actif Woods Wales Merthyr Tydfil
actifwoodsmerthyr@smallwoods.org.uk
07387 738 607

Anna Stickland (left) – Project Officer: Connecting People and Nature (CPAN)
annastickland@smallwoods.org.uk
07765 213514

Publicity

Welsh Assembly Member Applauds Merthyr Tydfil Nature Project

April 2019

Dawn Bowden AM, for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney said: “I am pleased to have the chance to join Anna, and her Gellideg fields and woodlands work, as part of Coed Lleol (Small Woods Wales), Actif Woods Wales programme. Good for wellbeing, companionship and our environment. New skills, community pride and fun for all ages.” Read about her visit.

19 June 2019

Thank you to Dawn Bowden AM for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney for praising our work connecting people and their local environment:

‘It’s vital to keep strengthening the connections between people, the local communities and their wider environment. And there’s much to applaud in those local communities. In Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney for example there’s…groups like Actif Woods Wales providing wellbeing opportunities in the local environment, which is a great opportunity for social prescribing’

Speaking to the Environment Minister when discussing biodiversity in her constituency

I had the opportunity to ask the Environment Minister about biodiversity in the constituency and to thank several local projects for their efforts to protect and manage our local environment: Royal Crescent allotments, Merthyr anglers, Actif woodlands, local schools as beekeepers – there are many others. I also sought a response about invasive non-native species which affect our environment. Watch here.

Posted by Dawn Bowden AM for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney on Wednesday, 19 June 2019