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The Canal Volunteer Group  `stand` at  the `Community Fun Day`5th September 2009 - Glenside Community Hall and field - Pontnewydd ..

Here I am, (webmaster) explaining to local residents our aims and aspirations of the Torfaen Canal Volunteer Group	Me, Heather and her beau Hugh .. `proper posers` .. but all in a `good cause`.	The Mayor and Mayoress of Torfaen C.B.Council Cllr. Robert Jones and his wife, visit our stand.

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..To follow the Canal Volunteer Groups endeavours click on each of the dates below ..

  * 29th November 2009 * 25th October 2009 * 20th September 2009 * 16th August 2009 *

  * 12th July 2009 * 10th June 2009 * 10th May 2009 * 19th April 2009 *

* 15th March 2009* 15th February 2009* 18th January 2009 *

* 23rd November 2008 plus 2008 Tidy Wales Award *

* 19th October 2008 * 14th September 2008 *

* 13th July 2008 * 1st June 2008 * 27th April 2008 *

* 30th March 2008 * 24th February 2008 * 20th January 2008 *

* 2007 Tidy Wales Award *

* November 27th 2007 * October 21st 2007 *

* September 16th 2007 * July 15th 2007 * June 24th 2007 *

* 20th May 2007 * 22nd April 2007 * 18th March 2007 * 11th February, 2007 *

 * 14th January, 2007 * 3rd December, 2006 * 5th November, 2006 *

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Sunday 24th September, 2006

Hugh Woodford, introduced everyone to each other, whereby we all shook hands, smiled and instantly forgot each others names ... isn't it strange, I have no problem recalling the names of the Trumpton Fire Brigade  .... Pugh, Pugh, Barney Mc.Grew, Cuthbert Dibble and Grubb !  ... but what the heck, we were volunteers and were about to embark on a mission to enhance a section of canal and feel proud of our achievement on completion.

Our tasks for the day :-

• Weeding around the Moorings.

• Painting of the mooring bollards.

• Painting two steel benches.

• Painting railings at the Moorings and at the `Cwmbran Tunnel`

• Painting the two `Mile posts`

• Painting a Litterbin.

• Painting a `water point`.

• Collecting floating litter - made possible by a volunteer who brought along his canoe.

.. Armed with shovels, brooms, paint, brushes, litter pickers, bags, and a `lifted spirit ` we set to work ..

           

.. Click on each photograph to enlarge ..

After 5 hours, with a couple of `pit stops` to refuel our bodies, along the way, our intrepid group called it a day. During that time we had `gelled`, remembered each others names, Hugh, Nigel, Judy, Arthur, Ryan, Jan, Ricky, Cheryl, Jody, Rob and Hmmmmm, I apologise, memory lapse again; told each other our `life histories` and even suggested bringing along a `bar-b-que` for the next session ......  isn't it nice to be amongst friends

... And the result ...

         

... Achievement, Enhancement, Pride and Friendship ...

.. Click on each photograph above to enlarge ..

Simon Jenkins, enjoys an early morning cuppa, dressed in his pyjamas , whilst admiring the freshly painted bollards and  surrounding area.

I met Simon, on Monday morning 25th September, he told me he was `holidaying afloat` on `Red Wing` a hired boat from Red Line Boats at Goytre Wharf, Llanover; and resided in Wakefield, Yorkshire. Accompanying him was his wife and two friends from Sheffield.

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Sunday 5th November, 2006

Ty Coch to Pentre Lane. The weather conditions were `cold, with bright sunshine `.

The Canal Volunteer Group met at Ty Coch - 10a.m., where our mission, this time was vegetation control, painting railings and  weight limit signs near Pentre Lane.

             

.. Click on each photograph to enlarge ..

Slowly but surely, our `volunteering efforts` are making a positive enhancement to an important asset, both in an industrial and historical sense, coupled with a greater environmental awareness.

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Sunday 3rd December, 2006

 Adjacent Pontnewydd Park, Mount Pleasant, Pontnewydd. The weather conditions were atrocious.

The Canal Volunteer Group, this time consisting of Hugh Woodford (Canal Warden T.B.C.Council), myself, Judy, Steve, Chris, John and welcome newcomers, Darrel and Audrey, met near `The Cascades` Pontnewydd at 10a.m; our mission, this time was to selectively remove several Ash and Sycamore branches, brambles etc; adjacent to Pontnewydd Park, that were protruding from the canal bank and acting as litter traps.

Even though the weather was atrocious, heavy downpours and gusting winds, our intrepid group, plus support from the Council via `extra hands` and a lorry, battled on; working in unison from both banks of the canal cutting, removing and transporting the timber, brambles, etc; with the aid of the Council's newly acquired boat.

The boat, (Come in No. 3 ), I am pleased to announce, was an initiative that I suggested whilst conducting my monthly Canal Watch 2006 `observations` with Mr. S. Davies (Land and Drainage Officer T.C.B.Council). the next positive addition would be an electric outboard motor.

         

.. Click on each photograph to enlarge ..

After three hours of quite strenuous, but enjoyable activity, our little band of wet, muddy, bedraggled, hungry, but above all Proud `Canal Volunteers `, called it a day; once again demonstrating that each and everyone of us has the ability to make a `positive difference` within Society; and as Tesco would put it `Every Little Helps `. 

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Sunday 14th January, 2007

 Pontnewydd section, near Glenside Community Hall

The Canal Volunteer Group assembled at 10a.m. in the car park of Pontnewydd park, after wishing each other  " a Happy New Year" and remarking on our `good fortune` weatherwise, of dry conditions and a blue sky  .. Yipee!  ; we picked up our tools. namely, loppers. bow saws, rakes, grappling hook and of course a couple of litter pickers, for this morning's `assault` and set off for an area of the canal bank near Glenside Community Hall.

This area had long been neglected and was in dire need of some TLC (Tender Loving Care), Steve, Rob, Jan and John volunteered for the task ... and after a couple of hours of `honest toil`,  had made a big difference to that area.

Hugh and myself headed for a group of trees, mainly Hazel that surrounded the pond and Lock bank a little further on; Selective branch thinning was the `order of the day` here, allowing more light to the channel and encouraging further growth. The branches were then  added to a habitat pile that Hugh had previously created when he cut down similar overhanging branches before Christmas.

Our last task of the morning (Lunch beckoned ) was to trek up to the Cwmbran Tunnel and `make safe` a storm damaged tree, by removing a considerably stout branch that had split from the main bough. This was to be a joint effort by the team, so with rope and grappling hook to hand, together with muscle, enthusiasm and `Team Spirit` we `huffed`, `puffed` and `strained` in unison, finally `man handling` the damaged branch to the ground, whereby we all enthusiastically set about it, with a common goal in mind, trimming the main branch and the final result was ..... Please click here

       

.. Click on each photograph to enlarge ..

Throughout the morning several people stopped to enquire and offer appreciation of our efforts; we also met Rhys and Emily Hircum, from Pontnewydd, together with their Uncle, Andy Evans who explained their interest in nature and the environment via drawing and art, Rhys and Emily then selected pieces of wood for their latest `masterpiece` .... look out `Constable `

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Sunday 11th February 2007

Pontnewydd section

Hugh Woodford makes an important telephone call to the Canal Volunteer Group

The Canal Volunteer Group assembled at 10a.m. in the car park of Pontnewydd park, this time to concentrate on an area of the canal bank adjacent to the park. Along this particular stretch, were areas of overhanging shrubbery that acted as a `litter trap` i.e. plastic bottles, cans etc. Our goal this morning was to cut these areas back to aid removal of the litter, and to prevent  a `build up` in the future.

The Gwent Probation Service had arranged to join us and brought along, approximately 20 young offenders to carry out part of their `Community Service` requirements. The lads under supervision, `litter- picked` along the canal towpath and transported branches to a `chipping` machine they had brought along. After a few hours  `toil` coupled with the Canal Volunteer Group's previous efforts; we all agreed that the stretch of canal between 5 Locks and Pontnewydd `cascades` looked `a lot better` for our collective efforts.

     

.. Click on each photograph to enlarge ..

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Sunday 18th March 2007

 Broadweir Road /Star Street section - Old  Cwmbran , the weather conditions were mixed, cold, snow, drizzle and sunshine.

The Canal Volunteer Group, met at Broadweir Road, Old Cwmbran at 10a.m; Our goal this time was to work our way along the canal sections adjacent to Broadweir Road and Star Street, the latter section in particular was quite an eyesore, due to the abundance of litter ... why a `negative element` of society chooses to spoil the beautiful waterway and asset we have here in Cwmbran is such a shame.

 On the `positive` side, three new `volunteers` had previously contacted Hugh Woodford, to offer their help, which was appreciated and readily accepted.

Armed with `weed forks`, litter pickers, and my `long handled` litter scoop, which this morning was making it's debut  we set about removing some of the weed along the edge of the canal banks and attempted to remove the floating litter. After a couple of hours we had successfully retrieved, three footballs, a lawn mower, a motorcyclist's crash helmet, a Supermarket trolley, several flower pots, a road bollard, polystyrene trays and countless beer cans, bottles, both plastic and glass.

... oh yeah, nearly forgot to mention - the disturbed duckweed was very smelly !!! ...

             

.. Click on each photograph to enlarge ..

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Sunday 22nd April 2007

 Pontnewydd from the Old Bridge End Inn to the intersection with Maendy Way. It was a fine morning.

The Canal Volunteer Group met in the car park of Pontnewydd Park at 10a.m and what a `turn out` several, `new` volunteers came along to join our `happy band` .. many thanks.

For some reason Hugh (our Leader) turned up in shorts, not a pretty sight, but he would easily win `top marks` in any `knobbly knees` contest ...

After some friendly banter ... (Hugh's knees again), We made our way down to the canal section, which starts a couple of hundred metres from the `Old Brigend Inn ` and ends at the intersection at Maendy Way.

Hugh outlined the mornings task, which included :-

• Remove some tree saplings and ivy that were protruding from the walls of the Lock.

• `Dig out` three steel bench frames that had `failed` the `test of time`.

• Retrieve a cast iron bollard that had been removed from the towpath and `dumped` in the canal.

• Remove `floating litter` which included a fire extinguisher, bottles, cans and bread wrappers, and a general litterpick of the immediate area.

• Remove a plastic dingy from the Lock.

I am pleased to announce, that, with the aid of a `long reach extension pole`, loppers, rakes, shovels, litter pickers, a grappling hook, some sweat, (the ladies perspired ) and a good helping of `positive spirit`, we achieved our `goals`. 

         

.. Click on each of the above photographs to enlarge ..

* Noticed on the day was an Orange-tip butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines), patches of `Cuckoo flower` or Lady’s smock (Cardamine pratensis), which co-incidentally, is the food-plant of the orange-tip butterfly’s caterpillars; a nesting Moorhen and a `shoal` numbering approximately seventeen  Goldfish (Cyprinus carpio).

.. Cuckoo Flower ..

.. Canal Volunteer Group `Taking Care of Our Environment` ..

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Sunday 20th May 2007

Pontnewydd section - Cascades to the recreation ground. The weather was quite sunny and warm.

The Canal Volunteer Group met in the car park of Pontnewydd Park at 10a.m and `posed ` for the `customary photograph`.

.. If you think our nets are big wait `till you see the size of our `Jam Jars` ..

       

.. Click on each of the above photographs to enlarge ..

Our `Mission` this month was to recover and remove various items that could be seen in the canal from the `cascades` to the recreational ground, this was achievable since the presence of the small leafed pondweed had receded; a general litterpick was also the `order of the day`.

Our `collective` haul consisted of three skate boards, four bikes, a traffic cone, a black bag of domestic rubbish, a childs jacket, toy pushchair, several bags of cans, bottles and miscellaneous litter and even a  Cd/radio player.... probably the last tune it played was `Handel's `Water Music` !!!

 

Samantha and her mother Carol joined our `merry band` last month and when I discovered Sam was an Ecologist, my  genuine interest in our environment, coupled with my frequent `quizzing` has prompted Sam to kindly contribute her notes on `sightings and things to look out for on the canal`. . . . thanks Sam

22nd April 2007 - Pontnewydd

Goldfish	Cyprinus carpio	10+
Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	1 (nesting)
Blackbird	Turdus merula	Numerous
Wood pigeon	Columba livia	Numerous
Bumblebee spp	Bombus spp	1
Common frog	Rana temporaria	Numerous (tadpoles)

The presence of both the fish and the tadpoles in the `holding` area indicate that despite initial appearances that the water quality is relatively good and not contaminated by pollutants such as oils, petrol and diesel which can be common in urban waterways.

The amount of bramble scrub and nettles and the presence of some Buddleia (butterfly bush, Buddleia davidii) makes the area suitable for numerous butterfly species including:-

Painted Lady	Vanessa cardui
Small tortoiseshell	Aglais urticae
Red admiral	Vanessa atalanta
Peacock	Inachis io
Speckled wood	Pararge aegeria

The grasses in the area may also support some further species:-     

Small white	Pieris rapae
Large white	Pieris brassicae
Clouded yellow	Colias croceus
Small copper	Lycaena phlaeas
Common blue	Polyommatus icarus

Numerous bird species will be present in the hedgerows either side of the canal and bats, especially Pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) are very likely to be seen flying up and down the canal feeding on the insects that can be found flying just above the water at night.  These are best seen just as the sun sets below the horizon on warm dry evenings between May to September.

20th May 2007 - Pontnewydd to Five Locks

Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	5
Germander speedwell	Veronica chamaedrys	Frequent
Bumblebee spp	Bombus spp	1
Common frog	Rana temporaria	Abundant
Common toad	Bufo bufo	Abundant
Pondweed (broad-leaved)	Potamogeton (natans)	Abundant
Horsetail (water)	Equisetum (fluviatile)	Abundant

 

The presence of Pondweed (broad-leaved) together with Germander speedwell and the huge numbers of tadpoles we saw again indicate that this section has a relatively good water quality and isn't suffering from high pollution levels.

 

This section of the canal is very similar to the previous and is likely to have similar species potential although fewer butterflies are likely given that there is less bramble/nettle/Buddleia than the previous section. 

There is high potential for birds and bats in the area and I did spot one or two older trees with some holes in that have the potential to be used as short term roosts by some bat species during the summer when its warmer. 

It is possible that bats are more likely on this stretch of the canal given all the trees in the area and the adjacent playing fields as these provide more feeding and roosting opportunities than further downstream so there could be more species and greater numbers.

.. Pontnewydd section from the footbridge (Pontnewydd Park) towards the recreational ground ..

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(Webmaster)- In closing, I would just like to add that it was pleasing to receive `words of encouragement and appreciation for our efforts` from  a number of `passers by` and when You have a `quiet moment` consider this, " We all have something We can offer . . . .  be it an hour of one's time, a helping hand, knowledge, friendship, support & encouragement  ... the list goes on and on . . . .  maybe You just need a little `nudge `? "

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Sunday 24th June 2007

Five Locks section, Pontnewydd; the weather was overcast with the odd light shower.

The  group this morning, amounted to eight, I (webmaster) was unavailable due to `inadvertently` booking a week's holiday in Llangranog, West Wales. The weather however, was my downfall ... as you are well aware ... Yuk !!!

However, the  group carried on relentless ( I bet they missed my `cheeky but friendly` banter ) and began litter-picking around the bottom two ponds known as the `Cascades` and progressively, working their way along the section towards the Cross Keys Public House. They removed logs, branches and vegetation, using the grappling hook, forks and extension pole.

The successful `haul` for their `mornings endeavour` included filling nine sacks with rubbish, removing a `newish` mountain bike, a `zimmer frame`, a couple of kiddies scooters, a couple of bicycle wheels, two carpets, a picnic table top, a section of chain link fencing, a pushchair and various other `bits and bobs`.

*Wouldn't it be nice to say "we had a non successful morning, whereby we found no litter, and nothing to `fish out of the water`" ... Ah well, we live in hope.

      

.. Click on each photograph to enlarge ..

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Sunday 15th July 2007

 Ty Coch section, the weather conditions were abysmal!

The `Group` this time, comprised of six `hardy souls` arranged to meet at Ty-Coch at 10a.m, the plan this morning was, originally to paint the railings, that due to time constraints, were missed out from our visit back in November 2006. Unfortunately the weather was atrocious! continual and `heavy` rainfall hampered the Group's efforts.

Painting was obviously out of the question but the Group spent over an hour removing vegetation with forks to increase the flow and used a grappling iron to haul wind blown trees and branches out of the lock.

Although the rain did not relent for a single minute there was never any question of ‘let’s call it a day’ and everyone worked until as much vegetation as it was possible to get to, was removed.

.. Apologies for no photographs this time folks .... underwater camera unavailable ..

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Sunday 16th September 2007

 Ty Coch section, the weather conditions were dry but overcast.

webmaster: If you're impressed by my `Fishing Net` wait till you see my `Jam Jar` ..

Our small but `Happy Group` met at Ty Coch  and after some friendly `banter` including  a potential `knobbly knees contestant`, we set about the mornings tasks, which involved vegetation control, litter removal and painting of barriers, hand rails, a cycle path marker and a gate. Hugh  Woodford (Canal Warden) was also pleased to announce that we had been short listed for a `Keep Wales Tidy Award` (fingers crossed).

       

.. Click on each of the above photographs to enlarge ..

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Sunday 21st October, 2007

Ty Coch section, the weather conditions were dry, wind free and gloriously sunny.

.. I know we look like a `chain gang` folks, but we just had  to show off our new `Canal Volunteer Group` waistcoats ..

At 10 a.m. the `Group` met at Ty Coch, the weather was glorious, Autumn sunshine and good company, what more could anyone ask for? Our task for the morning was to thin out some overhanging branches and general pruning along the canal bank. Armed with an array of loppers, saws and a grappling hook we made our way to the canal bank and after tentatively negotiating the barbed wire fence, set to with enthusiasm. After  three hours of physical labour (No pain, no gain so they say), and a calorific `burnout` we all felt, we were indeed `part of a chain gang`!  and were more than ready for our Sunday Roasts !!

David and John in the `thick of it`	Carol, our recruiting officer!	Yes your ,,, does look big in that!	Jan and Hugh tree surgeons	Steve off to the `woodpile`

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(Webmaster):- In closing, I would just like to add that it was pleasing to receive `words of encouragement and appreciation for our efforts` from  a number of `passers by` and when You have a `quiet moment` consider this, " We all have something We can offer . . . .  be it an hour of one's time, a helping hand, knowledge, friendship, support & encouragement  ... the list goes on and on . . . .  maybe You just need a little `nudge `? "

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2007 Tidy Wales Awards

The annual Tidy Wales Awards ceremony was first staged in 1990 and are organised by Keep Wales Tidy with sponsorship from Environment Agency Wales and Visit Wales - the Welsh Assembly Government tourism department. They aim to encourage all sectors of the community to take hands-on action to improve their environment.

Torfaen Canal Volunteer Group entered this year and were pleased to be informed, that we had been short-listed in the Public Sector category of the 2007 Tidy Wales Awards - representatives were invited to the Award Ceremony at the Orangery, Margam Park- Port Talbot, on Monday 12th November.

A `Welcome Address` was given by Katherine Hughes, Chairman of Keep Wales tidy, followed by sponsors:- Chris Mills Director, Environment Agency Wales and Linda Jones, Head of Product & Programme Development, Visit Wales.

Jane Davidson, AM, Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing also addressed the audience and then presented the individual Tidy Wales Awards.

Sian Thomas, BBC Presenter introduced the following categories:

• Pride in Our Communities Large Partnership Award.
• School.
• Beach Improvement.
• Business.
• Public Sector.
• Tourism Industry.
• River Improvement.
• Best `Tidy Wales Week`-event.
• Long -term effort.
• Special Commendation.

.. Tidy Wales Award Presentation Ceremony ..

Canal Group representatives;- Steve and myself accompanied by Torfaen County Borough Councillor, Sarah Richards, M.B.E. receive our 2007 Tidy Wales Award `Finalist's Award` from Ms. Jane Davidson, the Welsh Assembly Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing.

.. Click on the image of the Certificate to enlarge ..

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy commented "These annual awards clearly show that people do care about their local environment and are prepared to make sacrifices to improve them. The efforts being made will probably not have a major impact on the global environment but if everyone in Wales did their bit we would be sending out strong signals to the rest of the world ".

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Sunday 27th November, 2007

Ty Coch section, the weather conditions were very favourable again, sunny and no wind.

.. Our group of ten plus `lampost ` ..

On Sunday the 27th of November at 10a.m, we met up at the Ty Coch section, it was a beautiful wind free, sunny morning and with with the myriad of autumn coloured leaves on the trees and under foot, set the positive  mood for the work ahead. Our task for the morning was to carry on `where we had left off`the previous month, to thin out overhanging branches and general pruning along the canal bank.

We welcomed Graham, a new volunteer to our group and after donning our `high viz` Canal Volunteer Group waistcoats, hastily assembled for our obligatory `photoshoot.

This `yo-yo` has a long string!	No, girls this is not another `PhotoShoot!`	Steve retrieves a wayward branch.	Now, who is missing?	Graham is a `Happy Chappy`

.. Click on the images to enlarge ..

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20th January 2008

Ty Coch section, the weather conditions were showery and overcast.

.. `Our Happy Band of Misfits` assemble for the obligatory photoshoot ..

We met up at 10a.m at the Ty Coch section, the weather conditions were showery and overcast, although of course, that wasn't going to `dampen our spirits`. Our task this morning after the area had been assessed by Hugh (canal warden), was a general litterpick of the area, selective pruning and the removal of various logs and branches which were possibly impeding the flow of the canal and could cause problems by obstructing the culverts. If we did a `good job` then our reward would be simply,  `satisfaction` a reward in itself .... oh yeah, and  a cup of hot chocolate or coffee, courtesy of me (webmaster ... hey big spender ..)

.. Click on each of the  photographs to enlarge ..

... why o why? ...

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Sunday 24th February 2008

Meeting up at our usual time of 10a.m, and once again at the  Ty Coch section of the canal, we assembled for our `monthly` and obligatory `photoshoot` ... `when o` when` are the `Celebrity Magazines & Hollywood Film makers` gonna `catch on` to our `potential` ... ha,ha ...

Anyway `back to earth `as they say .. This morning, under an overcast sky our task was to `lay out a line` and plant two hundred, 1 year old saplings, along the edge of the towpath in conjunction with Cwmbran Angling Association's `Waterways for Life` Project.

The two hundred saplings comprised of :- 100 Hazel, 50 Hawthorn, 25 Blackthorn, 15 Field Maple, 5 Spindle, 5 Dog Rose.

After laying out the` line` and deciding on `which & where` the group got on with the `digging out` and  planting; a Bamboo cane was inserted adjacent to each sapling to act as a support,followed by a plastic `spiral` ,to protect the sapling from browsing and also to create a micro-climate which would protect the sapling from frost and aid the growing process.

Heather, our latest recruit, came upon a Newt that was later identified by Kris (T.C.B.Council Ecologist) as a Smooth or Common Newt.

The Smooth Newt, is also known as the Common Newt Triturus vulgaris, or Lissotriton vulgaris and is the most common newt species of the Triturus genus of amphibians. (Wikipedia)
 

.. Click on the image to enlarge ..

Three hours later, honest toil, interspersed by friendly conversation, jovial banter and a stop for `refuelling `(Coffee, Chocolate, Bovril) we stood back to admire our `handywork`.

  

.. Hover cursor on each of the  photographs for an explanation and `Click` to enlarge ..

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Sunday 30th March 2008

A glorious ` British Summer Time ` morning greeted the Canal Vol. Group, as we assembled in the car park behind the `Pets at Home` Store , Cwmbran Retail Park at our regular time of 10a.m ... After the obligatory `leg pulling` (by my goodself), Hugh, the Canal Warden, briefed us on the tasks ahead ... and with grappling hooks, rakes, pruners, loppers, litterpickers, plastic bags and a `lifted spirit` we spread ourselves along the towpath and methodically removed the numerous assortment of discarded litter and objects, which comprised of:-

Sacks of litter (mostly cans & bottles) ( 10 ) Shopping trolleys ( 7 ) Tyres ( 2 )  Child’s bicycle ( 1 ) Plastic table top plus leg ( 1 ) Section of R.S.J. (Rolled Steel Joist) complete with concrete base ( 1 ) Re-cycle boxes ( 2 ) Pets at Home boxes(6)  Fire extinguisher ( 1 ) Traffic cones ( 2 ) Plastic bollard ( 1 )  Various items of clothing and several unidentifiable items.

 Location: Cwmbran Retail Park and Forgehammer

.. Click on the images to enlarge ..

... `Roll on the day` when we can meet, greet each other and gaze upon a beautiful, litterfree, respected and well managed stretch of waterway, that arose out of the Industrial revolution and has `bequeathed` Cwmbran with a potentially, `enviable asset` ...... which can and should be `truly enjoyed` by a `Positive and Caring Society`...

... Each day WE  have a Choice ...

... We can choose to work .. With our Environment ...

Or

... We can choose to work .. Against our Environment ...

... Let Our Choice Today ...

... be an Action for a Better Tomorrow ...

.. Be sure to look out for the next instalment of the `Canal Volunteer Group` ..

.. If you have a view or comment, click here to contact me ..

.. For more info on the Canal click here ..

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In August 2006,Torfaen County Borough Council appointed a Community Countryside Warden, Mr. Hugh Woodford is responsible for developing and co-ordinating community environmental projects in partnership with community groups as a way of promoting the canal for informal recreation, and educating local people about its history and biodiversity.

A Canal Volunteer Group was formed and on Sunday 24th September, 2006 - 10a.m, Hugh, myself and ten `fellow` volunteers met at the 5 Locks Moorings - Pontnewydd. The weather conditions were `unsettled  ` Click here for more info.

*Unfortunately outside-funding has now ended for the position of a full time Canal Warden and we are now left with a canal that I feel is in danger of deteriorating rapidly due to the accumulation of litter and frequent occurrences of vandalism and anti social behaviour.

I passionately believe that Torfaen County Borough Council should once again employ a full time Canal Warden/Ranger to undertake  duties of promoting, monitoring, litter picking, selective tree/shrub pruning, liaising with local schools/ community groups etc; etc.

.. I ask for your support  ..

Should Torfaen County Borough Council employ a Canal Warden/Ranger?

.. I invite your comments on this matter .. please click here to email me ..

• April 2009

Roger Stevenson (Blaen Bran Community Woodland) responds :-

It is a crying shame there is no longer a canal warden in Cwmbran. The Monmouthshire Brecon canal is recognised as a pretty, largely rural canal that has excellent tourist access from Brecon to Pontypool at which point it rapidly becomes a cul-de-sac or should that be a canal-de-sac? I believe a full time warden would be able to raise awareness of the canal in the local area, co-ordinate efforts to clean and improve it and be a focal point for campaigns to extend the navigable section of the canal through Cwmbran. It would make Cwmbran a tourist attraction for many as well as a place where locals could picnic, stroll along the tow path and enjoy the boats ambling through. It would also be an excellent educational resource with applications across a number of curriculum areas.

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• Date: April 2009

Carol White responds:- I believe you are quite right - we should have someone looking after the cleaning of our canal.  When I was young it was an integral part of our play and our village life in Cwmbran Village.  Unfortunately, with the construction of Cwmbran Drive, the canal around Cwmbran seems to now have become oblivious to people, except to local fisherman and cyclists.

 

I live near the canal and occasionally use the canal for walks but because it is essentially now "out of view" one tends to forget it is there - not so when we were kids. 

 

I have followed the applications by Torfaen (two I believe) to the Heritage Lottery for grants for the canal but I know that both applications were turned down.  Such a pity.  More of a pity is that if the grant had been given, nothing would be have been done about the canal from B & Q to Two Locks because of Cwmbran Drive and the fact that an aqueduct would have to be built around B & Q area - that would take many extra millions and it appears that any regeneration of the canal in and around Cwmbran would have to be done in two parts, ie

 

1.  Aqueduct

2.  General canal regeneration

 

Without an aqueduct, there is no connection from Brecon to Newport - as I originally thought the aim was.

 

Would it not be beautiful to see boats using the canal from Brecon to Newport.  It would regenerate Cwmbran Town and Village and could bring untold revenue to this lovely part of Wales and give the people of Cwmbran and other local towns more activities outside of their home.

 

In conclusion, if there was a Warden in charge of the canal, at least the canals would get more attention and be highlighted more often with the possibility of picnic areas for families to use somewhere along its route.  It is sad there is no-one looking after what I believe is a "treasure" buried on our doorstep.

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Date:24th May 2007

 

Date:24th May 2007

Sue Smith from Upper Cwmbran :-

What a pleasure it was last week while walking my grand daughter down to Pontnewydd park along the canal from the Cross Keys pub

To see so many tadpoles was wonderful, ducks came to have a little chat with us, moorhens scurried around.

Thank you Volunteer Group  

Regards Sue   

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