3 August 2007
Coed Cadw vision to create new native woodland in the last stronghold of the Welsh Princes
Woodland Trust acquires Tirgawen, a 103 acre site in the scenic Dysynni Valley
Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust), the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, has launched a campaign to fund the purchase of Tirgawen, a 42 hectare (103 acre) site on the edge of the Dysynni Valley, in the foothills of the Cadair Idris. The land was offered for sale through an informal tender and Coed Cadw submitted what it believed to be a realistic bid. This was duly accepted by the vendor and Coed Cadw has now acquired the site. The Trust is therefore urgently seeking to raise the funds to cover the acquisition and management the site for the local community, for visitors and for the wider environment.
Coed Cadw plans to create new native woodland at the site, to enhance the landscape, involve local people, and add to what the valley already offers walkers and other visitors. There will be a detailed design exercise, involving local people, and at least for the first few years Coed Cadw is likely to want to continue grazing on some areas.
Eryl Roberts of Coed Cadw says: “The particular nature of Tirgawen, being mostly improved grassland, but with small areas of native woodland, offers a rare opportunity for a landscape restoration project that will not just protect what is there already, but improve on it by recreating the typical wooded middle slopes which characterise the existing flanks of parts of the Dysynni valley.”
Coed Cadw is making clear that any tree planting at the site will take place gradually, over a number of years, and in consultation with the local community. The Trust is planning to organise a public consultation meeting sometime in mid to late September this year.
The Trust is stressing that if its plans for Tirgawen come to fruition, then the new native woodland created will become an additional attraction for local people and visitors alike, thus helping to support the tourism industry which is important to the local economy. Like almost all Woodland Trust sites, the wood would be open to anyone to visit at any time, for free. Tirgawen will never attract huge numbers of tourists, but the Trust hopes it will join Castell y Bere and Craig yr Aderyn as attractive local destinations and assets for the local community.
As the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust) will be seeking to raise funds for the project from its members and supporters across the UK. But it recognises that local support is particularly important, too, and is calling on anyone who can help its campaign - with funds, help or advice, to contact them on 01766 832563.
One local person who is welcoming Coed Cadw’s commitment to consult the local community on their plans for the site is Mr Lewis Williams, Llanllwyda, who runs a farm and a small touring caravan site near the site. He says: “The Dysynni Valley already offers a great deal for visitors to enjoy, and I hope that Coed Cadw’s plans will add to this. I am glad that they have agreed to consult local people about their plans for the site, and that they recognise the benefits of maintaining some grazing on the site over the next few years.”
Coed Cadw already cares for over 1000 woods across the UK and over 100 in Wales. In southern Meirionnydd, the charity owns and manages Coed Nant Gwernol, a 12 hectare (29 acre) ancient woodland site on the eastern side of a dramatic gorge to the south east of Abergynolyn. It was acquired by Coed Cadw in 1997 and is very well used by the public.
Coed Cadw is interested in learning more about the history and archaeology of the site, and would welcome help from anyone who could tell us more. We do know, however, that the Dysynni Valley has not always been as quite and peaceful as it is today. Three miles to the east of Tirgawen stands Castell y Bere, a Welsh castle probably built by Prince Llywelyn ab Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) around 1221. This was the last Welsh castle to be captured by the English King Edward I in 1283, making the Dysynni Valley the last stronghold of the native Princes of Wales.
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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
Or The Woodland Trust Press Office email media@woodland-trust.org.uk or Tel 01476 581121
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.
