Description - This project will create a community woodland on reclaimed former colliery land at Blaengarw. The Garw Valley woodlands have been recognised as an important resource for the regeneration of Garw valley communities. The Cydcoed project aims to provide a catalyst to harnessing this regeneration potential by creating community woodland on the reclaimed Ocean colliery site.
At present the valley, despite its woodland resource, lacks the basic provisions to cater for woodland-based recreation. The Cydcoed project will provide recreational opportunities and basic visitor facilities that meet the aspirations of the local community. The project includes tree and shrub planting, woodland management, access provision and interpretation. Recreational facilities to encourage local people to use the site will also be provided. These include facilities for fishing two existing lakes, waymarked walks, picnic and seating areas.
The ethos of the project is to create a community asset, community-led and community-run. Encouraging the involvement of the community in the project will engender community ownership and pride in the project and help foster the future safety, protection and sustainability of the site as a whole. This sustainability will ensure public benefit from the Cydcoed project in the long-term. The project will create 0.5 jobs (i.e. 1 part-time) as a handyman/warden will be employed as a result of the project, funded by the Council.
Grant awarded: £160,000.
Bidding Group: Garw Valley Community Council
Contact Details: Mr Wyn Davies
Clerk to Garw Valley Community Council
12 Glan yr Afon
Cwmfelin
Maesteg
Bridgend
CF34 9HU
Tel: 01656 736751
E-mail: wyn.davies@tiscali.co.uk
