This Week @ CAVO

The vision for Coed y Bont took root in 2008 when a few residents of Pontrhydyfendigaid felt inspired to create a local area for tree planting. This initiative coincided with the widespread impact of Al Gore's film, 'An Inconvenient Truth,' which powerfully advocated for tree planting as a response to climate change. Believing that even a small community like Bont could contribute, the idea of a local woodland began to grow.

The group identified two adjacent woodlands as promising locations: Coed Dolgoed, situated on the edge of Pontrhydfendigaid near the historic Strata Florida Abbey, and the ancient woodland above it, Coed Cnwch. Coed Dolgoed had been clear-felled of conifers in approximately 2005, and while natural regeneration was occurring, there was a clear opportunity for active replanting with native broadleaf trees.  

Initially, the core group envisioned the green space to become:

• An attractive and interesting woodland offering a place for quiet enjoyment.
• A destination appealing to both local residents and visitors.
• A space accessible to everyone in the community.
• A habitat supporting a diverse and interesting range of wildlife.
• An area that educates people about the woodland environment.
• A place that actively involves the local community.
• A woodland that could serve as an exemplary model for other community woodlands.

These aspirations led the group to focus on four key areas:

1. Improving access to the woodland.
2. Protecting and enhancing the local wildlife.
3. Educating the public about the woodland and its wildlife.
4. Encouraging active community engagement.

Preliminary inquiries with the Forestry Commission Wales (FCW), the site's managers at the time, revealed their experience in partnering with other Welsh communities to establish similar woodlands. This suggested a viable path forward for Pontrhydfendigaid. A crucial public meeting held in the village on November 28, 2008, brought together over 50 local residents, the Ceredigion Assembly Member, and representatives from FCW and Ceredigion County Council. The atmosphere was positive and supportive, culminating in the decision to form a dedicated group. This group, tasked with developing a plan in partnership with the Forestry Commission, named itself: Cymdeithas Coedwig Cymuned Pontrhydfenfigaid Community Woodland Association.

To realise their vision, the Association aimed for the following outcomes:

• Well-designed and accessible footpaths for enjoyable woodland walks.
• Easy access routes on some paths suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
• Sensitively placed, high-quality amenities such as benches, picnic tables, and way markers.
• A comprehensive baseline record of the woodland's wildlife and historical features.
• A biodiversity management plan to identify, protect, and enhance wildlife.
• Informative interpretation boards and leaflets about wildlife, history, and access paths.
• Active community participation in events and activities.
• Increased knowledge of the woodland and its wildlife among people of all ages.
• A dedicated team of volunteers engaged in practical woodland work.
• A visitor attraction that indirectly benefits the local economy.
• An effective publicity network.
• Crucially, an active and committed group to lead the project, secure funding, and drive the woodland's development in collaboration with FCW (later Natural Resources Wales - NRW).  

In 2013-2014, the Association focused on expanding its committee and gauging community support and desires for the woodland. With assistance from CAVO (Ceredigion Association of Voluntary Organisations), they organised an open evening and distributed a questionnaire to gather public input. This collected information, which was then analysed, with CAVO also providing a report on the findings.

Coed Y Bont operates under a management agreement with NRW, who handle essential maintenance such as path spraying, tree safety work, flailing of the main path, and car park grass cutting. Complementing this, the community group holds monthly volunteer sessions, typically on the third Sunday, and at other times as needed. Volunteers undertake a variety of tasks, including path construction and maintenance, working on funding applications, bush cutting, and enhancing the woodland's biodiversity.

The project has encountered several challenges, notably building and maintaining a working relationship with NRW. Securing funding and sustaining momentum through passion, persistence, and hard work have also been significant hurdles. Attracting and retaining volunteers remains an ongoing challenge, although the existing volunteer team enjoys strong camaraderie and mutual respect. Dealing with dog waste presented a unique challenge, requiring research into best practices and ultimately leading to the provision of a dog waste bin by NRW, though the ongoing cost of its disposal is now a concern.

Coed Y Bont has positively impacted the community in numerous ways. It provides a valuable space for walking. The woodland has also fostered relationships with conservation organisations involved in red squirrel and pine marten conservation.

On behalf of Coed Y Bont, Chris Harris Chair successfully secured funding for both Cylch Meithrin and the local school, enabling them to provide Forest School education. The adjacent woodland is regularly accessed by both educational establishments as an outdoor learning environment, supported by qualified Forest School leaders and appropriate equipment. The green space also supports community health and well-being, with groups like Mind utilising it for walks. Furthermore, Coed Y Bont collaborates with organisations such as the South & West Wales Wildlife Trust, Vincent Wildlife Trust, and Denmark Farm on squirrel and pine marten conservation projects.  

Coed Y Bont stands as a community woodland dedicated to access, education, biodiversity, conservation, and local engagement. This is achieved through monthly volunteer sessions, educational events, and partnerships providing outdoor play opportunities for children. The dedication of the group has been recognised with four awards, and Coed Y Bont is now proudly part of the 14 national forests in Wales.   The National Forest for Wales currently includes 14 established sites and has expanded to include 27 additional woodlands. This brings the total number of sites to 41. These sites are part of a network that aims to create a continuous woodland stretching from north to south, and west to east across Wales

• Continue volunteer sessions to further develop the woodland.
• Work on the CAVO Green Spaces Project.

• Maintain collaborative efforts and community engagement.
• Continue developing the woodland's biodiversity for the benefit of the community and beyond.
• Sustain partnerships with NRW and other organisations.
• Red Squirrel, Pine Marten and potentially Dormouse conservation

The key advice is to collaborate widely with various groups for assistance and promotion. Be persistent in seeking funding, maintain a positive outlook, and persevere. Plan your objectives, consult with the community to ensure their needs are met, and actively encourage participation.

Coed Y Bont is always welcoming new volunteers. For more information, 

Email: [email protected]

Facebook Page: Coed Y Bont

It began because we felt our village was missing something – a place for people to meet, a safe space for our kids to play and access to really enjoy the natural beauty around us. We wanted to feel proud of our village, connect with each other and make a positive impact on the environment. Over the years the village had begun to look tired and neglected, with the brambles taking over and prohibiting residents from enjoying an area of land which was perfectly placed to be a community space. So, we decided to do something about it. We got permission from the Local Authority to create a community garden on the common land area directly across the road from the centre of the village and set about enhancing the environment to promote well-being and create a welcoming space for all.

Just as we were getting started in November 2019, COVID soon hit and we were all in Lockdown. We didn't let that stop us though. We held our meetings online and planned out the area that we wanted to create keeping it simple and easy to manage for everyone. Applying for and being awarded a Large Development package from Keep Wales Tidy was a game changer. Equipment, tools, plants compost, trees and even a flat packed garden shed duly arrived. Planting was tough, trying to fit it in between lockdowns, but we pulled together, obeyed the rules and got it done. In two days the garden shed was erected by volunteers as if by magic and soon we had a shed to conveniently store all of our stuff! Keep Wales Tidy really helped us out with a project officer for advice and practical help. 

The community's response was amazing and we were able to draw in a local farmer to help. So many people offered their time, materials, and skills. We cleared brambles, planted new things, painted, and handled the paperwork. All this was done with the support of Llangybi Community Council and Ceredigion County Council. Residents got to know their neighbours and made new friends. We still have a dedicated team of volunteers who meet regularly to weed, plant and tidy up. We also make sure the grass is cut regularly so everyone can easily enjoy a stroll out to visit our community orchard and enjoy the blaze of colour in our planters and raised beds or simply have a sit down on our community benches.

The weather was a real challenge from the beginning. We planted 420 native trees in snowy conditions. But everyone was enthusiastic and keen to chip in and we had a great turnout of volunteers even in those tough conditions. Cups of tea and Welsh cakes duly offered kept us going.  The inclement weather proved onerous and a cold frosty Winter gradually became a dry Spring and hot Summer. Watering the trees during the hot months was vitally important with people turning out on an evening with cartons of water to keep the roots of the trees moist. A change in dog owner habit along with the Community Councils help in proving a dog bin now means dog fouling is no longer a problem.

The green space has really revitalised our village and the surrounding area. We're so proud of what we've achieved. It's become a lifeline for people with health challenges, a place for fresh air and peace. We have residents recovering from hospitalisation who use the garden as part of a recovery programme. Families make memories here, kids play, and people walk every day and our picnic benches are a perfect meeting point. The nearby bus stop is now a mini library and a fundraising project also means we have a village defibrillator at our service. A team of volunteers fill the bird feeders, mow the green and every year we have a village barbeque. We even have fairy lights on our more mature roadside trees.

We're planning to keep building on what we've already done. We'll continue to create wildflower areas for bees and butterflies and take care of the garden and heritage orchard. We're very proud to have earned the prestigious Green Flag Award for two years running and have our fingers crossed for a third successive win. We're a small village so we're careful not to over commit and create too much work for our volunteers. But we're always looking for ways to improve our natural environment, and we're planning to plant more native wildflowers along the village banks in the coming months to help add to the biodiversity of the area.

We've learned that community support is key. We recommend talking to the people who live in the village and to your community councils and Local Authority early on and to get in touch with either CAVO or Keep Wales Tidy for advice. Their joint support has been invaluable to us.

We're always keen to welcome new volunteers! For more information on how you can volunteer with us, please contact us:

Email: [email protected]

Facebook Page: Menter Silian

CAVO Funding fair (Late June / July)

Watch this space!!

We have a couple of new funds opening over the next few months, so keep an eye on our grants pages!

Take a look at TSSW’s free to use funding finder, Funding Wales!

The Royal Countryside Fund, Supporting Rural Communities -  Closing 3/02/25 for Expression of Interest

Ceredigion County Council, Community Grant Capital fund 2025/26, closing  13/02/25

Community Foundation Wales, Fund for Wales, Closing 17/02/25

I help with whatever Helen needs! I volunteer for Walking for Wellbeing and at the Men’s Shed.

How did you get involved?

A neighbour invited me to join him at the Men’s Shed.

What difference has volunteering made to you?

Volunteering has given me a meaningful role within the Borth Community Hub and increased my social connections within the community.

What advice would you give to individuals contemplating volunteering?

DO IT!!

Describe volunteering in three words.

Valued, fun, community.

I run a pedometer walking group and lead art activities.

How did you get involved? I attended a session, saw they needed help, and decided to volunteer. I have 10 years of experience as an art coordinator and later became a trustee.

What difference has volunteering made to you? Talking to the Pedometer group each week has allowed me to get to know them and listen to their concerns. It has given me a sense of purpose and self-worth.

What advice would you give to individuals contemplating volunteering? Get involved and volunteer! You'll make new friends and enjoy the satisfaction of giving back.

Describe volunteering in three words.

Satisfying, worthwhile, helpful.