With a food poverty grant from BGBC, we purchased 20 ton of compost/soil improver, but before we could spread it we had to clear the site of scrub willow and rush, then to fence it and “a la Charles Dowding” the no dig guru, we carboarded the whole site. Our volunteers spread the 20 ton of material and we put woodchip on the paths.

In our first year, we planted lettuce, chard, peas, mangetout, onions, radishes, broad beans, runner beans, beetroot, potatoes, carrots and parsnips increasing the fertility of the soil with well-rotted manure and composted woodchip and plant material. Every year since, we have continued to improve the soil while following the ‘no dig’ method. We use our community garden as an educational resource for local school children, where they can learn to sow, grow and harvest. We also do cooking sessions for the children so they can eat what they have grown and see the ‘plant to plate’ cycle.

We’ve created a tree nursery starting in 2021, planted heritage orchards, and mixed native fruit and nut trees through our woodland to strengthen biodiversity and build climate resilience. There are a selection of fruit trees, apples -cookers and eaters, plums, damsons, gages, pears and cobnuts funded by Groundwork Wales and the Local Nature Partnership, and with ongoing training in Orchard management, we hope to have a productive fruit area in years to come.

No experience needed, just come along in some sturdy shoes/boots and dressed for all weathers! Bring your own snacks and drinks.

If you are a new volunteer, feel free to come along, but please inform kathryn.learwood@sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk so we know to look out for you and bring any necessary equipment.

Our volunteers are City & Guilds trained in tasks such as brush cutting, chainsaw operation, felling, path clearing, and operating forestry machinery. We source funding for training for our committed volunteers to help us manage the woodlands and help people improve their confidence, skills and training. This can help people find employment or just be a good new skill.

We hold regular litter picks of the woodlands. We supply the equipment, just bring your own snacks and drinks,  sturdy footwear and be dressed for all weathers! Litter picking is a great way to improve your natural environment for the benefit of nature, biodiversity and your community.

Any questions? Email: kathryn.learwood@sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk

The event will be open to the public on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May from 10am till 5pm.
We will be having live music, food and drink vendors and activities for the whole family.
Tickets will give you access to the cattle field, which will have the living history village and Viking fighting activities.

Event accessed via the Sirhowy Hill Woodlands main gate on Thomas Ellis Way, Tredegar, NP22 4QF. ///clutches.flash.piglet

One Day passes:
£5 Adults
£2.50 Under 18’s
Under 2’s FREE
Family Pass £14 *

Two Day passes:
£8 Adults
£4 Under 18’s
Under 2’s free
Family Pass £20 *

* Family pass is for max 2 adults and 3 children. 

Saturday Extras:

• Kevin Hewitt/Lepidopterist, County Recorder, Moths and Butterflies.
• Free Forest school sessions with Monika & Wolf Cubs Forest Adventures  10 am till 12 pm. First come, first served, no pre-booking.  https://www.wolfcubsforestadventure.co.uk/
• Tredegar Town Twinning info & games

Sunday Extras:

• Kian & Marnie-acoustic music set 4-5 pm
• Ebbw Vale Blue Watch-Fire & Rescue, bringing their Fire engine from 10am till 12 pm!
• Free Forest school sessions with Monika & Wolf Cubs Forest Adventures  10 am till 12 pm. First come, first served, no pre-booking.  https://www.wolfcubsforestadventure.co.uk/
• Rhosyn Du-acoustic music set Saturday 4-5 pm & Sunday 1230-130 pm

Stalls for both days:

• Henna Girl Tattoos- https://www.facebook.com/HennaGirlTattoos/
• Nature Makers- https://www.nature-makers.co.uk/
• Willow by Name, Weave by Nature https://www.willowbynameweavebynature.co.uk/
• Gwent Police-Public Engagement
• Army Cadets
• Rural Crime Team
• Gwent Wildlife
• Cardi Regeneration Project-Angling club https://www.cardi-regeneration-project.co.uk/
• Enchanted Willows- Where art alchemy and imagination meet. Handmade treasures, creative workshops & magical experiences for all ages, sparking wonder, joy and transformation in every creationhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Enchanted-Willows/61578614623801/?sk=about
• Creations by Cinders- Bespoke Pyrography wood burns of designs and images made to order. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580202170825
• Fletcher/Archery
• Blackwood Pyrography    https://www.instagram.com/blackwoodpyrography/
• Maxim Armouries   https://maximarmouries.com/
• Past Life Crafts-  Living History Clothes, nalbinding and bits and bobs.       https://www.instagram.com/past.life.crafts/

Food & Drink:

• Ice Cream Van
• The Munch Stop
• Coffee Baa
• The Magna Carva
• Little Dragon Pizza
• Eleri’s Welsh Cakes
• The Cake Corner       https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577793824427&sk=about
• Afon Mel- Mead Seller  https://www.afonmel.com/mead/

Plus more being added daily!

Any enquiries for stands or participators, please email: kathryn.learwood@sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk