End of VINE Celebration: Tir Coed and Both Coed Open Day

Written by Tir Coed / Dydd Sadwrn 22 Hydref 2016

We had such a great day on Saturday 22nd October, 13:00 to 16:00. The Three year VINE Project at Allt Goch Woods, Llanidloes was celebrated in fine community style. Once again over 100 residents, families and local businesses joined together to create a wonderful woodland experience to celebrate the Autumn Harvest. This was the final Open Day of the Tir Coed VINE Project and we hope that Both Coed will continue to be supported to develop activities within the community woods into the future. Two Tir Coed volunteers who have progressed through mentorship and are now Tir Coed Support Tutors and Martin Cope, Tir Coed Project Officer, now sit on the Both Coed Committee.

This Open Day included local businesses providing pizzas on the open fire and natural teas. Tir Coed Tutors facilitated enchanting forest music and forest school activities. Pete Williams from Red Dragon Bushcraft led an interactive fire-lighting and bushcraft session and Zoe Quick facilitated an ingenious acorn tie-dying activity. The celebration was initiated by an amazing theatrical walk from the Market Hall led by Kirsten McIver. The woods rang out with dramatical magic and mystery when the walkers entered the central glade. Chris Panic then led interactive storytelling and Hazel Maddocks took over with a wonderful harvest ritual. Speeches were presented by Tir Coed Director Ffion Farnell, Project Officer Martin Cope, Tir Coed Tutor Dave Thomas, Both Coed Chair Zoe Quick and Llanidloes County Councillor Edward Breeze. Martin presented Edward with the three-year biodiversity monitoring report conducted by Tir Coed’s specialist ecologist Scott Roe. The report details the ecological improvements as a direct result of Tir Coed's training courses and activities over the last three years. The report was contextualised on the day by a very informative walk around the woods by Dave Thomas and Scott Roe. Russell George AM was also in attendance.

Thank you to all those who came along to take part, together with Montgomeryshire AM Russell George, Llanidloes Town Mayor Phyl Davies, Cllr Edward Breeze and reporter Robert Parker-Munn.

Tir Coed Llanidloes Statistics over the last three years:

· Over 10,000 volunteer hours

· 1700+ volunteer days

· 1200+ volunteers engaged