.. Blaen Bran Community Woodland Project ..
The 100 acre Woodland at Upper Cwmbran is officially known as Coed Gwain Y fferiad and was purchased by a group of concerned, local residents, who formed themselves into a charitable limited company with the help of a grant from `Cydcoed Woods for All`. The `Blaen Bran `Community Woodland` Group intend maintaining the the woodland for the benefit of the whole Community.
October 2007
Several Larch trees needed to be thinned out in the woodland, choices were discussed and an `environmentally friendly` decision was made to utilize a horse logging team instead of the `customary` chainsaw and tractor.
Horse logging contractors; John Bunce from Devon and Frankie Woodgate from Ashford, Kent were contracted to complete the work over three weeks.
John Bunce has been a contractor since 1996, working with Clydesdales, specialising in large timber and forwarding work, whilst Frankie has a Woodland Management business (Sylvan Environmental Ltd), specialising in the management of Ancient Semi Natural Woodland. Based in the South East she has had practical experience working in woodlands and forestry as well as a B.Sc. in Countryside Management.
On Sunday 14th, a group numbering around fifty, `friends of the woodland` gathered to experience and enjoy, a working demonstration of selective tree felling, timber haulage and horse management, expertly conducted by John and his two Clydesdales, Drum and Clyde, together with Frankie and her smaller, but equally capable, two Ardennes, Jeto and Yser.
John expertly felled a Scots fir which fell in a pre selected direction, whilst Frankie and Jeto, who was harnessed to a `timber arch`, made ready to manoeuvre the trunk to a predetermined area for stacking.
With verbal commandments of `C`mon old man` ( no not to John ) and `one step back` Frankie and Jeto made this manoeuvre with precision and ease.
Throughout the morning John and Frankie expertly demonstrated their horse and timber management skills, whilst informing their captive and receptive audience, of the hard but enjoyable work they have to `endure`, amidst the beautiful and varied woodland, both here and other parts of the country.
... folks were we envious ! ..
.. Click on each photograph to enlarge ..
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Completed or part completed projects to 20th May, 2006
Firebreaks.
Gates.
Fencing, nearly complete but a few places need strengthening.
Purchases of shipping container for storage.
Purchase of tools -delivery next week.
Drainage/Clearance of culverts.
Gates/`kissing gates` completed.
Routes for horse riding in hand.
Tree planting all done by volunteers during the winter 2005/6; Ash 100, Cherry 60, Lime 25, Oak 250, Rowan 50, Sweet Chestnut 100, Crab Apple 15, Scots Pine 150, Japanese Larch 550, shrubs 30.
Weeding - Volunteers and professional help.
Viewpoints - some completed.
Ecological Survey by Gwent Wildlife Trust.
Historical, Mining account.
Planning Application for crossing the Bran Brook about 200m upstream of the Mineslope Cottages; - First Application for a culvert, rejected by Torfaen County Borough Council. Second Application for a fiord has been approved by the Environment Agency; a decision from T.C.B.C is awaited.
Projects for the period June 2006 to December 2007
Construction of new access with fiord, across the Bran Brook, awaiting planning consent.
Upgrade top track for use by wheelchair users.
turning circle for mini buses - Mountain Air entrance.
Leaflet design and education pack.
Creation of a `Safe Area` for a `Forest school`.
Education Trail.
Youth groups campsite.
Complete view points and install `Bum` benches.
Continue planting and establishment of planted areas.
Waymarked `specialist` walks.
Management to improve Larch woodland above the top track, thinning view points, improved access.
Prepare overall management plan for the woodland.
Photographed on the 20th March 2005, at Upper Cwmbran, adjacent to the old reservoirs, shows myself and other `Woodland Friends` planting numerous saplings which included Cherry, Crab Apple, Willow etc.
.. Saturday 18th November 2006 ..
The Mayor of Torfaen, Councillor Mary Barnett was invited to officially open the new access point and crossing fiord at the entrance to the `Blaen Bran Community Woodland`; approximately thirty members of the Woodland group attended and although the `heavens opened from time to time, with `good spirit and encouraging words` the Mayor performed the opening ceremony by cutting the tape and led the group along the woodland trail.
Please show your support for this worthwhile venture by becoming a member, to find out more visit the Blaen Bran Community Woodland website at www.blaenbran.org.uk
