Llais y Goedwig

Llais y Goedwig is proud to be the voice of community woodlands in Wales. They are a grassroots network that represents and supports community woodland groups and practitioners across Wales. Llais y Goedwig have been working in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council to manage Bedford Park, which has around 18 hectares of green space and is home to the ruins of the 18th Century Cefn Cribwr Ironworks. They engage residents and groups on the site and run volunteer sessions weekly, increasing skills and hosting environmental wellbeing activities within this Local Nature Reserve. Attendees include local conservation volunteers, groups from Mental Health Matters Wales and students of Bridgend College.

Llais y Goedwig plan to collaborate with The Gwyrdd (Cefn Cribwr Heritage group) to open the Ironworks ruins to the public. To facilitate this, volunteers will support by maintaining the pathways through the ruins. The team also recognised an opportunity to manage the space as a wildflower area, encouraging biodiversity and actively responding to the climate and nature emergency.

Llais y Goedwig applied for support from the Resilient Communities Capital Grant scheme, listing the equipment that would be necessary to help the team reach their goals. Once approved, the group purchased the equipment and were able to clear and maintain the pathways, ensuring a safe, accessible route for volunteers and visitors alike. Providing access to Ironworks offers the public a unique glimpse into the industrial past of the region, making it a key location for heritage tourism and education.