LLANWDDYN NEWSLETTER Mai/May 2011 Newyddion a Digwyddiadau Covering the News and Events

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1 LLANWDDYN NEWSLETTER Mai/May 2011 Newyddion a Digwyddiadau Covering the News and Events pentref Llanwddyn of Llanwddyn St Wddyn s Church Services for May 8th May 11am Holy Communion and baptism of Olivia Thompson. 15th May 11am Morning Prayer 22nd May Holy Communion and baptism of Cassidy Johnson. 29th May 11am Rogation Service and blessing of the land at Penisarcwm. Everyone Welcome VALLEY ARTS AND CRAFTS CHURCH FLOWERS Vyrnwy Craft Centre Unit 3 May 8th 15th 22nd 29th Mailys Evans Avril Evans Jane Johnson Julie Williams GALLERY & SHOP We have a large selection of high quality, locally produced Arts and Crafts on view and for sale. Mai Oedfaon Sardis 2011 Telephone Winter 11am - 4pm Summer 11am - 5pm 8-Sul cymorth Crisnogol-pryn 15 Y Gweinidog bore, ar Gymanfa Bro 22 Mrs Kate Crapnal pryn 29 Oedfa r Bobl Lfanc-pryn Page 1

2 Garden Party We are having our Garden Open at Bodfach Hall, Llanfyllin on Bank Holiday Monday 30 th May from 2 6pm. Last year over 3,000 was raised for charity by the event. This year attractions will include a great display by the amazing collection of rhododendrons, music by the youngsters from North Powys Youth Music, charity stalls, cricket, a bouncy castle and trampoline for the kids, plant stall, photographic exhibition, the Bodfach Book Fair and delicious homemade teas. All proceeds will go to local charities including Ysgol Pennant and the Penybontfawr Male Voice Choir. Please could anyone who wants to have a stall at the Garden Open, either charitable or commercial, please contact Simon and Maggie Baynes on or baynes@bodfach.com. More details on - County Councillor Simon Baynes is always available to help with enquiries, issues and problems that you might have. Please contact him at: Bodfach Hall Llanfyllin Powys SY22 5HS Tel baynes@bodfach.com Letters Concern over Lake Vyrnwy Estate Sale We are still waiting to see the outcome of the Llanwddyn Estate. This means so much to our community. We are in search of investment in Lake Vyrnwy. We hope the directors of the Severn Trent Water have listened to our public meetings and the outcome of our survey. We are supposed to hear something in the spring, time is running out. Mr Ted Pearce, director of Property Services, said It is vital that the right buyer is found. We know who the right buyer is and who will improve our community and bring it back to what it used to be. Margaret Hughes Llanwddyn Page 2

3 Flower &Brass cleaning Rota for 2011 Will the first lady in each group kindly arrange the Sundays in her month May 1st Mrs Duggleby & Audrey Jones 8th Mrs mailys Evans 15th Mrs Avril Evans 22nd Mrs Jane Johnson 29th Mrs Julie Williams June 5th Mrs Iola Jones 12th Mrs Sandra Cooper 19th Mrs Gwen Evans 26th Mrs Mandy Evans July August September October November 3rd 10th 17th 24th 31st 7th 14th 21st 28th 4th 11th 18th 25th 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 30th 6th 14th 21st Mrs Fiona Walker Mrs Jen Barrett Mrs Millie Barrett Mrs Sue Davies Mrs Janet Roberts Mrs June Evans Mrs Linda Roberts Mrs Ethel Davies Mrs Judith Jandrell Mrs Margaret Hughes Mrs Mabel Roberts Mrs Mandy Bailey Mrs Sian Jones Mrs Gaynor Jones Mrs Francis Ellis Mrs Thearel Evans Mrs Eirwen Lloyd Mrs Diane Thomas Mrs Jennie Roberts Miss Heather Knowles Mrs Sue Williams Christmas Annette Griffiths & Audrey Jones Page 3

4 Come dine with us Have you heard Our Tavern Lounge has been refurbished and we have introduced an exciting new menu. Choose from a selection of our light options - Sandwiches: Sugar baked ham & Welsh lady whole grain mustard Smoked salmon, cream cheese & spring onion Welsh cheddar & green tomato chutney Starters: Potted chicken liver & whiskey pate Hot boxed camembert Salmon & prawn fishcake Looking for something a little more substantial why not try one of our many main dishes: Confit shoulder of Welsh lamb wrapped in Carmarthen ham, served with mashed potato, spiced red cabbage & rosemary gravy 10oz steaks choose from Rump, Sirloin or Ribeye Slow roasted pork belly, baked apple & stwmp maip All our meat is supplied by our local butchers TJ Roberts of Bala Complete your meal with a home-made dessert: Apple & sultana crumble served with ice-cream custard or fresh cream Warm treacle tart served with ice cream, custard or fresh cream Fresh fruit salad and fresh cream This is just a selection of menu options available come and have a look for yourself we would love to see you. Meals available noon until 3.00pm & 7.00 until 9.00pm A range of cookies, cakes & scones are also available between 10.00am & 12.00noon & 3.00pm & 6.00pm Page 4

5 Issue No. 5 Newsletter of the LIFE Active Blanket Bog in Wales Project Spring 2011 Lake Vyrnwy to Aberdeen! Round-up of the Project s Achievements Management Work The EU funded LIFE Active Blanket Bog in Wales Project has been extremely successful in exceeding its original restoration targets. Through excellent partnership working, high class local contractors and close working with local farmers, the project has blocked a staggering 484.5km of upland drain on the Berwyn and South Clwyd Mountains and Migneint-ArenigDduallt SACs. That s Lake Vyrnwy to Aberdeen! This is largely been thanks to 13 local farmers who have worked with the project to block drains on their own land. In addition, 248 ha of conifer plantation have been felled and the planting ditches blocked. A total of 11,479 trees were removed from the blanket bog at Lake Vyrnwy alone, but Tan yr Allt, Pen y Bedw, Penrhyn Isaf and Penaran were also cleared of non-native alien species (mainly Sitka spruce and Rhododendron). This restoration work has re-wetted 8,740ha of uplands in Wales. Other Projects restoring Blanket Bog in Wales Blanket bog restoration is not complete across the project areas. There are still vast drainage networks which require blocking, non-native trees to be cleared and grazing levels to perfect. The project partners are committed to continuing this work across Wales, as are other organisations. The National Trust s Upper Conwy Catchment Project will continue to work with tenants on blanket bog restoration. There is also on-going work through the Pumlumon Project by the Montgomery Wildlife Trust as well as in the Brecon Beacons National Park and Snowdonia National Park. 23,000 + readings, cows and snow Has all this management work made any difference? Monitoring the effects of the management on the hydrology (23,000+ readings were taken) of the blanket bog from before the drains were blocked, has shown that flood response has reduced, water quality and colour improved, and less organic matter is flushed downstream. The vegetation monitoring at both Lake Vyrnwy and Penaran has shown that there is a decrease in diversity of species next to the open drains but after blocking the species diversity is slowly increasing again. It will take a follow up survey in a few years time to determine exactly how the vegetation is changing due to the blocking. The surveys have shown that the drains did not improve the vegetation for stock and that by blocking them you reduce the impact of sheep getting stuck and drowning. The monitoring has not been all plain sailing of course. The cattle trampled all over the equipment and it was buried under 2 feet of snow for long periods during the last two winters!

6 Community Based Work The community based work has been a fantastic success with schools from the project area receiving outreach visits and going up onto the moor at Lake Vyrnwy to see the work for themselves. Over 1800 children got involved with the project. Most of those visiting the project were primary school children but teacher groups from across Europe, University and A-level students have also visited the bog. Getting the children onto the blanket bog was essential as they will be the managers of this land in the future. Talks and guided walks have gone on throughout the project with 2500 people attending a project talk or taking part in a guided walk. International Bog Day in July 2010, attracted over 500 people to learn more about the bog and local farming. The commonest comment was that they did not realise just what was here on the doorstep and how important it is. Events To take the bog to people, the project has had stands at the National Eisteddfod in Bala, the Royal Welsh Show and the National Sheep Association in Cerrigydrudion. Our farmer demonstration day held at Lake Vyrnwy was attended by over 90 farmers or members of the farming industry. Nerys Evans (AM) and Jan Evans at Royal Welsh Show 2010 International Bog Day July 2010 Highlights One of the highlights has to be when the project was the focus of Natur ein Bro run by CCW during the National Eisteddfod. Eight primary schools from around Bala visited the project and wrote poems about the blanket bog, which they then performed in Y Babell Lên at the National Eisteddfod. This was an important event for the project and the children made it a huge success. Local poet, Robin Hughes, also wrote Gorgors y Berwyn for the project to display at the Eisteddfod. Glastir At time of writing the All Wales Element of Glastir application window has finished for the 2012 start date. Farms to be put forward for the targeted element of Glastir starting in 2013 will be selected from these applicants. It is in the targeted element where it is thought that the type of management carried out by the project will be funded, i.e. drain blocking and Rhododendron clearance. Out of the 5 themes in the targeted element the Welsh Assembly have stated that, in the first two years of the scheme the scoring process will be particularly weighted in favour of delivery towards improved carbon storage and water management. The type of management carried out by the project over the last 5 years will deliver on both these objectives. As with all projects with time-limited funding, there is a danger that any momentum produced will just stop. It is important that Glastir provides financial impetus to continue the practical restoration. To gain a complete and ongoing understanding of the true nature of the effects of drain blocking on water, carbon, the habitat and farming, it is vital that the hydrological and vegetation surveys that have begun as part of this project are continued. Blanket bog changes very slowly over time and it may take many years to see the final results of the practical work. Website The project s website ( will still be running after the project finishes. Look out for any updates or view the Eisteddfod poems or the DVD about the project presented by Iolo Williams. LIFE06 NAT/UK/000134

7 SENIORS CITIZENS SUMMER OUTING Wednesday, June 15 th 2011 By popular choice the Seniors outing this year is to Southport. We shall be leaving from Dafarn Newydd at 8.30 am. As usual, we shall stop for coffee on the way. Lunch will be at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Lord Street, and we shall arrive in plenty of time for a drink before our meal. After lunch we shall have some free time to visit the Esplanade, explore Southport or go shopping. We shall, of course, stop for tea on the way home. Notices are now being posted in the Shop and the Post Office. Seat reservations can be made either on the form which will be put in the Post Office on May 5th, or by phone to Gwenfron (870681) or Iris (870353). Final numbers should be in by 25 th May or shortly after. The outing is free of charge to all Llanwddyn residents over 60 years of age. Guests accompanying members or not qualifying for the trip are welcome to join us at a cost of 19 each. If you have any questions about the trip or any other concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to seeing a good crowd. Iris Lake Vyrnwy Half-Marathon 11 th September The next meeting of the Local Organising Committee will take place in the Social Room of the Community Centre at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday 7 th June. This meeting will be open to all residents of Llanwddyn. The main purpose of the meeting is for leaders of the various sections [Catering, Marshals, Car Parking, Water Stations and Setting Up] to report on progress to the Race Director [Jan Roberts] but any residents who wish to come along to find out more about the race are more than welcome to attend. If you cannot come to the meeting but would like to volunteer for any of the above sections please give me a ring or send me an as soon as possible. David Thomas Chair, Local Organising Committee david_thomas6@talk21.com Page 7

8 With best wishes, Mike Tel: Page 8

9 Coffee Mornings in aid of Hall Funds Monday 23rd May and Thursday 26th May In the Social Room Everyone Welcome Page 9

10 May 2011 In Touch With The Community Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Election Bowls 7pm Line Dancing Bowls 7pm 14 Bike Ride Council Meeting 7pm Line Dancing Bowls 7pm Christening Hog Roast 23 Coffee Morning Line Dancing 26 Coffee Morning Bowls 7pm The opinions expressed in this Newsletter are those of the contributor and not necessarily those of the Editorial Board Editorial Team David Rowlands Audrey Jones Annette Griffiths Llanwddyn Newsletter Annette Griffiths Dam View Phone: annettegriffiths@llanwddyn.com Page 10