Tir Coed visit fantastic Woodland charity in East Anglia
Written by Tir Coed / Monday 23 January 2017
Tir Coed director Ffion Farnell took a break from the day job to travel from West Wales to East Anglia to visit the Greenlight Trust who work across Suffolk and Norfolk. Greenlight Trusts aims and objectives resonate closely with Tir Coed’s. Their mission is to ‘Bring people and nature together’ by-
· The creation, conservation and restoration of our countryside by the community for the community.
· Developing appreciation of the environment through education, training and participation.
· Enhancing health and well-being through environmental and conservation orientated activities.
· Increasing awareness of human impact on the world environment.
Having met Tom (Greener Lives Director) at a Royal Forestry Event and being inspired by the similarities between the two organisations further discussion ensued about the woodland voluntary sector, training and well-being activities and how small organisation across the UK undertaking similar work might create a network for peer support, sharing of best practice and in opening up UK wide tenders to small-medium charities working at a local level.
In September 2016 Tom drove to Wales where Ffion gave a tour of one of the Tir Coed woodland sites in Ceredigion- Coed Tyllwyd, this time it was Ffion’s turn to be shown around the beautiful woodlands, and impressive heritage and eco- building at the Greenlight Trust Centre.
The head Quarters are in an old foundry that was dismantled and refurbished to provide an Environmental Education Centre for the East of England. This building provides a base for all their educational training, theoretical and practical skills in community development and sustainable woodland management. In 2006 it was recognised by RIBA East and won a Sustainability Award for it's eco-build features.
Following a tour of the grounds surrounding the Centre which include a poly tunnel, garden, chicken coop and young woodland Ffion was then taken to Frithy Wood an ancient woodland and a Site of Special Scientific Interest that Greenlight Trust purchased in 2012 through a Heritage Lottery Fund to deliver an exciting range of educational and management programmes. A lot of work has been undertaken in the restoration of the wood and it was lovely to see different groups working at the site, coppicing and creating green wood furniture.
A big thank you to the staff and volunteers at Greenlight Trust who made Ffion feel very welcome. Tir Coed and Greenlight Trust continue to develop project ideas, watch this space as ideas unfold...
