Diary - 2023

September : The final measurement for Cariad

Several of the group were joined by several more of the Stump up for Trees group for a wet week on the hill, measuring the 20 year old plantings. It was so wet that we didn't even venture up there on one and a half days, but spent the time in useful indoor meetings, including with Lyn the local councillor. Luckily with all the help from Stump we finished the measuring successfully on Thursday afternoon in the rain.

This work completes the measurement of all the plots on the Varteg site that comprise the academic research conducted by Prof. Martin Haigh since 1991.

The remaining volunteers will now try to write up reports on the research findings.

June : CfN now a CIC

We have now formed a Community Interest Company (CIC) and renewed the lease of the site where our trees have been planted above Varteg.

The group is very pleased that the charity Stump Up For Trees (SUFT) has shown great interest in our work after visiting last year. SUFT hopes to capitalise on our research knowledge and to work with us to develop new schemes in the area, reclaiming old opencast coal land, including with woodland creation where suitable.

We look forward to working with them in our common aims of improving biodiversity, sequestering carbon and involving the local communities.