Past Projects
The wood is to be used principally as a teaching resource for both local and outreaching primary and secondary schools, youth groups, people with learning difficulties and mental health problems, the general public and groups specifically interested in learning about woodland, wildlife and permaculture.
A further aim is to provide a venue for activities requiring, or enhanced by, a tranquil and remote setting, such as residential or day workshops for painting, meditation and craft skills.
Each project within the initial two year overall work plan was fully itemized and scheduled to fit within the time frame and budget. These projects were to:
Purchase Allt Llwyn Dyfrion woodland for £25,000
A 20 year woodland management plan was produced to regenerate the woodland back to native species, already existing within the lower regions of the wood. This will be achieved by planting, and the encouragement of natural regeneration, utilising bio-dynamic woodland management techniques. We also aim to introduce more fruit and nut varieties to provide forest gardening and foraging.
Purchase a forestry tractor, 5 ton winch and forestry forwarder
A Valmet 80 Hp forestry tractor with a 5 ton winch has been an invaluable asset to the project. We have also managed to acquire a forestry loader to transport felled timbers around the site.
Arboricultural Training
We have provided training for staff of Nant-y-Cwm Community Woodland in arboricultural skills (chainsaw and tree climbing qualification) and held regular chainsaw operative training courses for anyone interested in becoming qualified in the use of a chainsaw.
Stone Excavation
We quarried stone from the lower part of the site to upgrade existing tracks around the wood (this has created space for the car park and timber storage area.) Utilizing the stone available on site has greatly reduced the environmental impact of delivery stone from local quarries, however, limestone will be needed to complete the tracks due to the quality of the woodland slate stone.
Upgrade Existing Forestry
Tracks were upgraded with the stone quarried from the car park area as the majority of these were either bog land or impassable due to fallen timbers. Drainage points all around the wood have also been laid to keep the tracks in good condition. Where necessary, the tracks were underlain with breathable fabric membrane due to excessive clay content in the existing forestry tracks.
Stock Fencing
We have stock fenced around the entire perimeter of the site to protect the woodland from neighboring animal stock. This was carried out by volunteers and staff over a three month period through the winter months. This was hard work.
Generator Shed
A small timber shed structure was constructed next to the green woodworking area which is used as a secure and dry tool store and houses the generator for the craft workshop.
Fell and Process Timber
The felled trees from the woodland provide building timber for construction projects within the wood. These timbers are primarily Douglas Fir and Norwegian Spruce due to the broadleaf regeneration plan for the wood. Felled timbers were planked by the hire of a mobile saw mill on the site itself. The re-generation management plan for Nant-y-Cwm woodland will continue to provide a large amount of Douglas Fir and Norwegian Spruce thinnings from the wood. It is intended to use all this timber for making added value timber product as opposed to selling felled trees for pulp and fence post products.
Construct a dry pit toilet
The original building grew considerably during construction, from being a small and basic tin roofed toilet into a Swiss style chalet, with running water piped from the stream running from the uppermost reaches of the woodland 200 metres away. This supplies water for sink facilities at the toilet site.
Construct a turf roofed woodland crafts workshop
This was built in the centre of the wood, off the lower tracks leading into the woodland. This is presently being extended to encompass a further two workshop spaces. One space will be used for a site kitchen for all groups visiting the woodland.
All these projects were completed within the specified two year time frame and completed Stage 1 of the conversion of Allt Llwyn Dyfrion to a community woodland resource and facility.
