A variety of volunteer groups are helping to bring history alive at Porthkerry Country Park in Barry.
The park’s Wildlife Watch Club, a Duke of Edinburgh group from Ashgrove School, Penarth, first year brickwork course students from Barry College, and twice monthly volunteer work parties are all helping rangers rediscover the fascinating history of the Vale of Glamorgan Council-owned park.
Porthkerry’s wildlife club members have been helping clear vegetation from around the entrance to the leat and pond area which used to feed water to power the old sawmill in the Millwood.
Ranger Mel Stewart said: “The children have worked really hard and we are hoping that, with the help of our volunteer sessions, the remaining 500 metres of leat will be cleared by March. We are keen to hear from children who would be interested in joining our group or any adults who would like to help out in the volunteer sessions.”
Ashgrove pupils have been busy rediscovering the buried culvert running under the mill site. Teacher Mrs Mullins said: “The children had great fun pulling out stones and logs.
Everyone got very wet and muddy but, seeing the stream finally flowing through the culvert, brought a wonderful sense of achievement for the whole group.”
Barry College Welsh Bac students have been helping work their magic on creating an atmospheric storytelling area in a former witch’s cottage in the woods at Cliff Wood. Once this is finished, they plan to help with work on the old mill site.
The rangers at Porthkerry are keen to hear from anyone who has any information on its history, and are especially keen to receive old photographs of the park.
Anyone with any information, or children or adults who are interested in joining the various groups, should contact the ranger service at Porthkerry Country Park on 01446 733589 or email [email protected].
