28 September 2007
Opinions a-plenty as local people help design new wood
Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust) says there’s still time to contribute ideas as locals debate the name of the new wood
There was no shortage of views offered at the local consultation meeting held by Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust) on Tuesday 25 September, to discuss the design of the new native woodland to be created at Tirgawen in the Dysynni Valley, in the far south of the Snowdonia National Park.
Nearly 30 people came to the Llanegryn Village Hall to voice their opinions, while many also took the opportunity to visit the site, along with Coed Cadw staff.
Those present voiced support for creating a network of permissive paths around the site, linking some of the most interesting features within the new wood, for retaining the splendid views from the site by keeping some areas unplanted, and for creating a small car park (not a large one) to ease any parking difficulties.
But a good deal of the discussion centred on the name of the new wood. While the land was offered for sale as ‘Tirgawen’, the site contains a number of features with equally authentic, historical names. And concern was expressed that the name ‘Tirgawen’ could easily cause confusion with nearby properties. The following suggestions were made:
Coed Tirgawen – meaning the wood at Tirgawen – Tirgawen itslef is probably a corruption of Tir Ysgawen, meaning land of elder trees. However, this could be confused with local properties.
Coed Ysgubor Wen. This is the name for the area of wet woodland at the eastern end of the site. It refers to a white barn, the remains of which can still be seen today
Coed Pant Llwyfog. Pant Llwyfog was the name of the farm, the remains of whose buildings are in the middle of the site. This means the hollow of the elm trees. Wych elm is still a common feature of hedgerows in this area.
Coed y Bugail was another suggestion, meaning the shepherd’s wood.
Dai Rowlands of Llanegryn, who attended the meeting said: “It was a very interesting meeting and well worth organising. Some local people I’ve spoken to don’t seem to realise that the aim is to create a wood that’s open to everyone to visit. Indeed, I would have liked to have seen more local people at the meeting. I think it’s a really good idea to get local children involved in planting the trees.”
Eryl Roberts of Coed Cadw, who is organising the consultation responds: “It was great to hear people’s views on all these questions. If there are local people who weren’t able to get to the meeting but would like to express their views on any of these issues, then they’re welcome to contact me on (01248) 601154 or by email at erylroberts@woodland-trust.org.uk But so that we can move forward with the design of the new wood, we have already set a deadline for comments of 12 October.”
Coed Cadw unveiled its plans to create new native woodland at Tirgawen in august, and already many local people have been in touch to make clear their support. There is a special website for people to support the campaign at: www.woodland-trust.org.uk/tirgawen There are also local appeal leaflets, which are available in the café at the village hall at Abergynolwyn.
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 Eryl Roberts on (01248) 601154
Or The Woodland Trust Press Office email media@woodland-trust.org.uk or Tel 01476 581121
Digital Images
A digital image of the consultation meeting, showing local people walking around the site, can be downloaded from here Alternatively, there is a photo of one of the veteran ash trees to be seen at the site.
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.
