Newsletter Winter 2023
 |
 |
As the last of vestiges of autumn give way to the first frost of winter the woodlands of Wales, far from being dormant are busy with volunteers undertaking vital management work. The social media updates from members are filled with images of volunteers hard at work building, clearing, planting and hosting festive events in their woodlands. In a week that includes International Volunteering Day, we recognise the dedication and passion community woodland volunteers have for their woodlands. Llais y Goedwig exists to support you, and to do this we need to know what you, our community woodland members, would like us to focus on. If you haven’t had the chance to complete the Members Poll sent out a few weeks ago, now is the time as we be making plans for next year very soon. |
| Coednet Online Christmas Marketplace Looking for that perfect sustainable Christmas gift or searching for a supplier of woodland services? The Coednet Christmas Marketplace is showcasing makers and companies that are working with or within Welsh woodlands. From furniture designers, to basket weavers, tree surgeons to saw mills there is a vast range on offer. Visit the marketplace today, and if you would like to join Coednet and showcase your own work/services send an email to Jayne, the project officer for more details. Llais y Goedwig Members Poll As mentioned if you are a community woodland group member and haven’t yet completed the members poll we are doing one last push before it closes next week. We value all feedback and thanks to those who have already completed it. The format is simple and it takes less than 5 minutes. Here are the links: English Cymraeg |
| Congratulations: TWIG funding announced |
| The latest successful Welsh Government / National Heritage Lottery Fund Wales Woodland Investment Grant awards include over half from community woodland groups and Llais y Goedwig members. We congratulate them and look forward to documenting their experiences through the website and blogs. Coetir Anian is receiving £90,462 to create a 50-hectare mosaic structure with dense thicket and high canopy forest in woodlands outside Machynlleth. Elwy Working Woods Ltd is receiving £249,248 to transform five small woodlands to provide wood to regenerate a micro timber industry. Sirhowy Hill Woodlands CIC is receiving £249,995 to transform the 85 hectare Sirhowy Hill Woodlands for the area’s communities. Llyn Parc Mawr Community Woodland Group Ltd is receiving £201,300 to restore and enhance a woodland on Anglesey which is part of Newborough Forest. Llais y Goedwig has also supported; Halkyn Castle Wood Events and Education Ltd is receiving £96,000 to provide safe spaces in Castle Woods in Halkyn and encourage visitors. (Coednet member) Care and Repair North East Wales is receiving £249,126 to develop and manage Dee Park in Shotton and expand facilities for local people. (received Dev Officer support) |
 |
| Blog: The year that was, and the Llais y Goedwig AGM In October Llais y Goedwig held our Annual General Meeting online. It was well attended with members and friends from across the country. Thanks go to Mike Robinson, the National Forest Liaison Officer for north east Wales for his presentation on the National Forest for Wales , and to Dr Jenny Wong for her presentation on wood fuel. Both presentations are available by emailing us. If you were not able to attend but want an overview of the Llais y Goedwig year, you can read our handy summary ( 5 mins read). Find a blog of the report here. |
| Llais y Goedwig news |
| Funding success It is a competitive landscape for any Third Sector organisation seeking funding at the moment, but we are delighted to announce the success of not one but three recent applications. If you would like more information on any of the projects please get in touch with us here. WCVA Strategic Volunteering Grant – will support councils with bespoke work increasing volunteering opportunities in their green spaces. This could be anything from an audit of volunteer policies, to building cross department support to access, or even a promotional strategy. Gwerin Growers – is funded by Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature Challenge Fund, administered by WCVA. We know that communities are enthusiastic home growers of trees, so Gwerin Growers will harness that enthusiasm by providing kit, training and a nursery hub within Powys – but with replicability Wales wide. Deall y Dail – will work with community woodland groups in Powys to understand the gaps in capacity and resources. It will support access to volunteering from communities and profile community woodland groups at major events in 2024. This Grant is provided by PAVO Making a Difference in Powys, as part of the UK Government Levelling Up fund. |
 |
| CommuniTree Community Tree Nursery Film & Training The popularity of community tree nurseries continues unabated, with the CommuniTree training courses often full within hours of them being announced. Our partner Coed Cadw / The Woodland Trust in Wales has produced this informative and inspiring short film that provides an overview of the CommuniTree project including plenty of the participants. You can view the film here. These are the details of the next training events coming up. For more information and details please contact the project officer Jayne Hunt. Tree Nursery essentials: pests and diseasesOnline: 13 Dec 2023 10:30 – 12:00 In Person: 24th January 2024 Coed y Tor Cowbridge In this session, we will cover the risks that pests and diseases pose for nurseries. We will discuss the pathways through which they can enter and leave. Look at controls to mitigate against the risks and see what is involved with UKISG and Plant Healthy certification To book the online event click hereTo book the Coed y Tor event click here Tree Nursery Essentials: locally sourced seed Centre for Alternative Technology on the 9th of February 2024 This one-day course wth Dr.Jenny Wong will cover the case for using locally sourced native trees in new woodland creation and highlight that this can only happen if there is a reliable supply of seed to tree nurseries and more. To book click here. |
 |
| If you produce items from Welsh woodlands, or provide a woodland service consider joining the Llais y Goedwig online resource for sustainable woodland products and services. We feature providers ranging from natural face balms and hand crafted walking sticks to bush craft events and charcoal. Check out the link here and share with your friends and family. |
| Links/ Updates Questionnaire about public access to woodlandForest Research are gathering views on public access to woodland – if you are a group, manager or owner of woodland get in touch here Biodiversity GuideWith biodiversity seemingly headlining every environmental fund and The State of Nature report predicting a catastrophic loss of species thanks to Climate Change this helpful guide from the Senedd Research on Biodiversity provides a clear overview with a glossary of terms used and important legislation you need to know about. Take a look here Tree Equity ScoreJust released ! This mapping and data tool highlights the correlation between tree cover and health outcomes. The tool was created through a partnership between American Forests, the US non-profit organisation that created Tree Equity Score, the Woodland Trust and the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. To discover more go the site |
| Funding |
| Dwr Cymru Environment Fund The new fund is designed to help third-sector groups develop and then implement ideas on how to help nature on our sites and the wider community. To find out more go here Arts, Health & Wellbeing Lottery Fund (Wales)Grants of up to £50,000 are available to support partnerships of organisations from across the arts, health, social care and third sectors for high-quality creative projects that deliver health and wellbeing benefits for the people of Wales. On how to apply click here |
| Training |
| The Llais y Goedwig Winter Series We are planning a series of winter webinars so we can all embrace spring in our woodlands bursting with ideas and inspiration. We are partnering with some fantastic organisations to bring these to you; they will include bee ID in woodlands, how to host a bio blitz in your woods, planning new tree planting, the new 30 by 30 legislation and more! The final events will take place in person at two sites in south east Wales; a coppice festival and traditional hedge laying training. To register your interest in the Llais y Goedwig winter series email here. MWMAC Last of the year training sessions from MWMAC. If you have a FFF training plan you must get in touch with them ASAP. To look at the courses go here |
| Jobs |
| Project Officer, Swansea Community GreenspacesAre you someone who has a passion for nature and being part of grassroots movements to protect it?This role will include proactively advising groups, engaging local communities, organising training, and delivering practical activities. Check out the details here People Engagement Officer – Natur Am Byth ( Angelsey) Would you be interested in joining a team to help conserve the most endangered species in north-west Wales?We are seeking an enthusiastic individual with a passion for nature conservation to to secure a long-term future for curlew and water vole in the Cefni Valley on Anglesey. For information to apply click here |
| and finally … winter wreath making and other group festivities |
 |
| Now is the time to wrap up and gather willow, holly, pine cones and mistletoe for your festive wreath. Follow Georgie Newbery as she collects and makes a beautiful willow wreath, so you can have your own beautifully foraged sustainable woodland decoration. Don’t forget to check out other community woodland wreath making, festive reindeers and Christmas tree sales, calendars too! Woodland Classroom has a family wreath making on SaturdayBangor Forest Garden has a wreath making SundayTremains Woodland Rangers are selling handmade reindeerBlaen Bran are selling calendars of their woodlands to fundraise. |
| Coming up next month in spring: community woodland buildings, spring woodland , events, training and more! |
Useful Woodland Links
www.llaisygoedwig.org.uk
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
www.makinglocalwoodswork.org
www.coedlleol.org.uk
Copyright © 2021 Llais y Goedwig All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Unit 1
Dyfi Eco Parc
Machynlleth
Powys
Wales
SY20 8AX
