Last week saw local school children working hard planting an orchard of traditional fruit trees in the community’s new nature reserve in Llanafan. The project called Plannu Llanafan is funded by the Tidy Towns initiative and supported by Tai Ceredigion housing association which will create a wildlife-friendly haven for everyone to enjoy.
The funding was secured from Tidy Towns last year after residents in the nearby Maes y Felin housing estate reported problems with weeds, litter and fly tipping at the site which is between the houses and Nant Pant yr Haidd stream. A survey found strong community support for a scheme to help local people care for wildlife while growing their own food.
Mother of two and a Tai Ceredigion tenant Abigail Williams said “We are really happy that something is being done with what was once a waste ground. The whole community has helped from the start by coming up with ideas to actually doing the work.”
Mrs Sue Williams, another Tai Ceredigion tenant said “The older residents are really looking forward to having somewhere tranquil and pleasant to sit. My whole family live here, my daughter and grandchildren so we would like to use the raised beds to grow herbs and vegetables.”
Mr Mark Ansell, the Headmaster of Llanafan Primary School said “The children are delighted to be involved in the project and getting their hands dirty. They have enjoyed planting the orchard and are looking forward to harvesting the fruit in the autumn. It is an excellent new area for the school as it is right on our door step. It will help develop the area and maintain the site.”
Catrin Owen, Tai Ceredigion’s New Initiatives and Continuous Improvement Manager said “The new nature reserve area will be officially opened in May when all the work has been completed. Everyone will be invited to join in the festivities and it will be a great day. We would like to thank all the villagers for taking an interest in the project and helping make better use of the scrubland. But also not forgetting all the hard work done by Denmark Farm and the Otter Consultancy as without them the nature reserve would not have developed into this wonderful project.”
