VINE Summary: Coed Tyllwyd Wood: Llanfarian
Written by Tir Coed / Dydd Mawrth 13 Rhagfyr 2016
Vine Year 3 began with a very well attended winter Sustainable Woodland Management training course. The Trainees continued with the previous winter’s progress selectively thinning the plantation trees to allow more resources for the native Ashes and Oaks. The timber was then extracted by hand, stacked, and some moved down to the bottom of the woods to begin the construction of a fully enclosed learning space. By the end of the course sunlight was reaching the woodland floor, a round-wood timber frame had been constructed using traditional methods, and a strong team spirit had developed in the group.
A successful series of eight woodworking sessions with service users from Canolfan Padarn (a day centre for adults with learning disabilities) followed. These were run in the centre’s workshop, using timber from the woodland, enabling a number of participants to engage with the sessions who would not have otherwise due to mobility issues. Bird and bat boxes were crafted by the participants (who match funded four of the sessions) to enhance the biodiversity of both the woodland and the centre’s garden, as well as a giant connect four set for the centre.
Students studying Childcare at Coleg Ceredigion College had their first introduction to forest school and outdoor education, and left the woods unanimously in support of integrating what they had learnt into childcare and education. Youth workers from the local Youth Service also accessed some training to begin to offer bushcraft activities to their service users, learning safe practices and fun activities.
A biodiversity survey of one of the watercourses through the woodland yielded some very positive results, with indicator species suggesting very good levels of water quality and low pollution. Another biodiversity session brought a local group learning photography to the woods to identify plants and take macro shots of them.
A successful series of forest school sessions ran for local primary schools, a family centre and the youth justice service, providing support for curricular learning and much appreciated time in the fresh air for all.
A group of Syrian refugees supported by the Red Cross who have settled in the area enjoyed their first experience of a Welsh woodland with a guided walk and tea, and one of them got involved with the following training course as well.
Residents from Plas Lluest (a supported living centre for adults with learning disabilities) visited the woods to do some felt crafting and natural dyeing. Feedback from this session highlighted the calming effect of the woodland environment that has been evident throughout the project.
A series of four bushcraft sessions ran for children and young people supported by DASH (Disabilities And Self Help) which were very well received. The group constructed a fire pit area for forest school and bushcraft activities and were rightfully very proud of their work.
The final training course on the site saw groups from both Lampeter and Aberystwyth combining to complete the construction of the new learning hub and workshop space. Having the groups working alongside each other in this way proved to be positive, and the group dynamic was very good. As with the previous year’s summer/autumn course the participant turnover was quite high due to other commitments, a factor worth bearing in mind for timing future training courses. Despite this a fantastic standard of carpentry work was achieved and feedback from participants indicates a strong interest in further training opportunities with the charity. The finished structure will provide a warm weatherproof area for learning in the winter months, and a handsome workshop space for future craft activities.
The work carried out and time given by volunteers has put the woodland in good stead for future community activities, and has introduced a great number of new people to the woodland environment and woodworking skills, enhancing the woodland as a resource and improving its conservation value for wildlife. This has helped to establish Coed Tyllwyd as an excellent training resource for the future, helping people to learn essential woodland management skills, appreciation for nature and a serene refuge from what can often be a chaotic life. Thanks go to all who have made this possible, particularly to Tir Coed’s tutors for their inspirational guidance and support.
