19 July 2008
Gwynedd farmer shows the way ahead for Wales' ancient tree heritage
As Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones sees for herself how to record ancient trees at the Royal Welsh Show, Tuesday 22 July at 4.30pm
Andy Kehoe and his family, who run a 120 acre farm at Llandygái near Bangor, have become the latest Welsh farmers to register trees which may date back to the time of Cromwell as part of the Ancient Tree Hunt project, which aims to compile the first ever full inventory of the UK’s oldest, fattest trees.
There are around 15-20 ancient or veteran trees on his farm, Tyddyn Isaf, which has been in his family since his uncle’s great grandfather, Daniel Jones, became a joiner on the Penrhyn Estate in the 1850s.
Mr Kehoe explains: “I think people have a cynefin (1) just as sheep do. These trees provide a link from the past to the present and future generations. And if one of my family take over the farm after me, that link will continue into the future. My uncle used to say that some of these trees were standing at the time when Cromwell’s troops fought a battle down on the coast at Abergwyngregyn over 300 years ago.
“After all these years, it’s amazing that these trees are still providing shade for the stock, and that the kids are still getting pleasure and exercise climbing them!”
Mr Kehoe takes good care of his trees, although he has not had to do any tree surgery on them in recent years. “The important thing”, he says, “is not to put down any fertiliser near them. I’ve seen wonderful old trees, that would otherwise be healthy, decimated like that.”
Having heard about the Coed Cadw (Woodland Trust) Ancient Tree Hunt project, Mr Kehoe has now registered his trees via the project website at: www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk
Meanwhile, Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones will also be showing her support for the Ancient Tree Hunt project by calling in at the Coed Cadw stand at the Royal Welsh Show (stand FOR760) on Tuesday 22 July at 4.30pm, to see for herself how ancient trees can be measured and recorded on the project database via the website. There will be a reception at which the Minister, and Coed Cadw’s Director Wales Jerry Langford will say a few words about the project, and at which Mr Andy Kehoe will also be present.
Elin Jones says: "It is a commitment of the Welsh Assembly Government in our One Wales document to provide support for indigenous woodlands, and our new Woodlands for Wales Strategy is published for consultation this week. The Strategy stresses the importance of protecting our ancient trees which form such an important part of our natural heritage. The Ancient Tree Hunt project is a reminder that we can all play a role in recording exactly where our ancient trees are, as the first step in protecting them."
Members of the press are welcome to attend, as is anyone else with an interest in ancient trees, subject to numbers, and reserving a place in advance by ringing Rory Francis on 07760 171174.
Mr Kehoe keeps Welsh mountain ewes as well as a mixed suckler beef herd, and also runs a successful woodland contracting business, Kehoe Countryside Ltd. Tyddyn Isaf, his farm, is in the Tir Gofal agri-environmental scheme. He has won the RSPB Cymru’s lapwing championship twice in the last five years, and has also won prizes in the North Wales Wildlife Trust’s wildlife gardening competition.
For media enquiries contact:
Rory Francis (Publicity and Public Affairs Officer for Wales) on 01766 832563 or 07760 171174
Afallon, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 3RH
Email roryfrancis@woodland-trust.org.uk
Mr Andy Kehoe on 01248 370244
Or The Woodland Trust Press Office email media@woodland-trust.org.uk or Tel 01476 581121
Images
Five digital images of Mr Andy Kehoe with his trees, which can be downloaded at different sizes, are available at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roryfrancis/2650101885/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roryfrancis/2650128705/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roryfrancis/2650101873/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roryfrancis/2650101863/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roryfrancis/2650128695/
Editor’s Notes
1. The area of land, usually common grazing land, which a flock of sheep has occupied in the past, and to which they usually restrict themselves. This geographical knowledge is passed down from generation to generation within the flock.
Coed Cadw (The Woodland Trust)
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 250,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s awareness and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). These include over 100 sites in Wales, with a total area of 1,580 hectares (3,900 acres). It offers free public access to nearly all of its sites. Further news can be accessed via www.coed-cadw.org.uk The Trust adopted its Welsh language name in 2000: “Coed Cadw”. This is an old Welsh term, used in medieval laws to describe protected or preserved woodland.
