Plaid Cymru’s leader Ieuan Wyn Jones joined party colleagues Leanne Wood and Sera Evans-Fear at a green skills project in the valleys.
The trio visited Ffaldau Farm in Blaenllechau at the top of the Rhondda Fach where project co-ordinator Vic Doyle is working with local volunteers to set up a food growing project which can provide opportunities for people to acquire business and sustainable horticultural skills.
The farm has 100 acres of land at its disposal and has already linked up with other local voluntary groups such as Bryncynon Strategy, near Penrhiwceiber. Mr Doyle is now bidding for funding to expand the project.
Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood, who is seeking re-election for the South Wales Central region, said: “Projects like the one at Ffaldau Farm can offer a ray of hope for local communities. Blaenllechau has lost its school, post office, fish shop, polling station and community centre in recent years and people there tell me that they feel like their community has no future.
“Vic has already found people who are keen to learn new skills and he has big ambitions for the project which involves expanding into the local Forestry Commission land.
“This is exactly the sort of project I had in mind when writing the ‘Greenprint for the Valleys’ – a green job creation plan which suggests ways in which how our communities can take control of their own destiny and forge a hopeful future for themselves.”
Sera Evans-Fear, who is campaigning to become the AM for Rhondda, said: “It was great to visit Ffaldau Farm and see the potential that exists in the project that Vic is running there.
“It proves that young people are interested in learning and do take an interest in improving their community.
“I hope the funding bids are successful as Ffaldau Farm could become a vital asset for the Rhondda in terms of providing new opportunities and teaching valuable skills.
“Plaid Cymru want to create a better Wales and the work of projects such as the one at Ffaldau Farm is something that will help achieve this.
“Ieuan’s Economic Renewal Plan recognises that indigenous businesses are the way to strengthen the Welsh economy and I hope that Ffaldau Farm is able to produce some budding entrepreneurs of the future.”
