October Update

It has been a little while since we last updated this blog so here is the news from the last few months.

The Friends of Coed bach Park calendar have arrived. They will be available from CANOLFAN Y BONT 28 Dulais Road, Pontarddulais to buy now at £5 each with proceeds going towards the park.
As usual we thank Gaynor Fuge for her efforts in putting the Calendar together and this years look absolutely amazing (Even though we are biased.) Thank you Gaynor from us all at FOCBP.

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The Seasonal pond is looking a little overgrown so several intrepid members of our group have jumped into their waders and made a start to do a controlled clearance of the pond. There is a lot to do so the job will be continued over the next few weeks.

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Recently we held another fascinating walk with Teifion our Fungi expert and once again we found another interesting haul of goodies in the park.
We were delighted to see more young people join the group and they enjoyed a little walk around the park learning about the life that inhabits the area.

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On October the 11th Christine Thomas was invited to have a cuppa with the current Mayor of Swansea and a local Councillor Beverly Hopkins! What a lovely surprise as we didn't know why we'd been called for a meeting but he personally thanked Chris for being the driving force behind the park and wanted to learn more about the person and the work you help her accomplish. A big thank you to everyone who's been involved in the process so far, because without you the park wouldn't be the same. We have a lovely community in the park and we should be proud of the amazing work we do together. From the people who bin rubbish who isn't theirs, to the friendly hello's, to the clearing the brambles, answering our surveys and attending the meetings. All your time and effort is paying off. 

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The Our Place Team based at the Canolfan y Bont continue to work through all weathers in the park. They are constantly topping up the wood chip on the pathways and over the last few weeks have been busy on the BMX track. 
Several youths have stopped off for a chat with team members and have given the team great feedback on what they are looking for with the lumps and bumps and jumps, the team have put in. So we would like to Thank them for their help as it helps everyone understand better what it is the youngsters of Pontarddulais would like to see in the park and it also involves them in decision making for the future.

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Radio Wales recently visited the park to speak to volunteers about the work being carried out in the area.
The show is available for 30 days and the interview starts 25 mins into the programme.

(Please click on the link below)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b080c6p7#play

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Recently over 10,000 Crocus bulbs have been planted in the park by FOCBP members with assistance from Pontarddulais Juniors Football Team and other members of the public.

Thank you all for your assistance and we should see the park explode with colour next year.

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As usual the park is busy with people using the park on a day to day basis and a real community has come to life over the last few years of regular people (and dogs) who use the park. It is also great to see members of the public stopping and having a chat with everyone working within the park and acknowledging the efforts of people in helping keep the park in tip top condition.
Thank you all for taking the time and showing some members the patience and respect they deserve and everyone hopes to see you all again very soon.

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FOCBP members are constantly working behind the scenes so if you don't see anyone actually working in the park rest assured our team are hard at work looking for funding or working on new ideas for the future.

As usual you can follow us on our Facebook and Twitter pages (Where we have more of a rant about certain things.) the links are on the top of this blog.

So until the next time Please Enjoy Our Award Winning Park.

There are some tree maps in the park near the Coed Bach and Gwynfryn road entrances.

Take a look at them and have a walk through the park itself and see how many species you can find. And also keep an eye out for the wildlife that live in, and amongst the trees.

Volunteers and Our Place team members are clearing pathways of nettles throughout the woodland areas. This is making the pathways wider and easier to negotiate, and as usual woodchip top up programmes run throughout the year to keep the pathways in full working order.

Green Flag

The FOCBP are proud to announce that we have been awarded Green Flag Status for the 2nd woodlands.
This is the equivalent to the Blue Flag Award for beaches.
We have to thank our volunteers for their hard work over the years and a Big Thank You to Pontrddulais Partnership, Swansea City Council and also to the NEET teams that have helped us, and of course the Our Place team which is currently active in the park.
We also have to give mention to the other individuals that also helped us along the way (you know who you all are.) as we could not have got this award without your advice.

http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/ab…/about-green-flag-award/


To maintain this status we need volunteers.......Please feel free to join us at our monthly meetings in Pontarddulais Cricket Club on the last Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm.

June Update.

This month we just have a little report.

As usual the FOCBP are working hard behind the scenes to secure funding for all future projects, so while you don't see us out and about in the park itself (We are there honest) work is still ongoing.
And our monthly meetings are held on the Last Wednesday of every month at Pontarddulais Cricket Club at 7.30pm and we invite anyone to attend them.

Service user  OUR PLACE are continuing to see to the wood chip pathways and it's great to see members of the public stopping and getting to know team members and being supportive of all their efforts.
Some volunteers have also been working on the pathways, and we have received fantastic feedback from people using the park informing us that the pathways once again feel great to walk on after the terrible weather we suffered at the beginning of the year.

Volunteers will also be out with strimmers keeping pathways as clear as possible from the overgrowth at the side of the pathways. The tree unit have also been out whenever they can and have a few things to attend to. 

The second woods are now looking a little overgrown this is deliberate as the summer wildlife is now nesting and making their homes in the woodlands, If you take a walk through this part of the park you will be amazed at the amount of wildlife you will come across, and several fungi are popping up, so keep your eyes peeled.

On a more personal note I have been keeping an eye on our Social Media sites for over a year day in and day out, so I feel that it is time for me to take a little break and reclaim a little energy.
So you wont be hearing much from us for a little while but our sites will be monitored so if you have anything you would like add please still send it to us at our email address at the top of the page or to our FB and Twitter feeds.
So enjoy yourself when you are out in the park and we hope to see you soon.

Pontarddulais Carnival 2016 Fun Run.

18/6/16

This year the 2016 Pontarddulais Carnival Fun Run was held within the park. 

May Update

This month we have decided to do something completely different to quote Monty Python.

I have had a go at producing a video blog and if it proves successful then we will produce more in the future.

You can view it on Youtube and the link is below, as usual we are on Facebook and Twitter so if you want to comment on your time in the park or share ideas with us you can also email us (Link at the top of the blog.)

The Video Blog.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqehIgbJ0jc

And as usual our monthly meetings are held the last Wednesday of every month at Pontarddulais Cricket Club.

April Update

Our 5th AGM is on Wednesday 27th April at Pontarddulais Cricket Club @7.30pm
(Back Room)        

Everyone is welcome to join and Membership is £2 for the year 

April has been another quiet month in the park but work is still ongoing.

Our Place

'Our Place' based at Canolfan y Bont have been out and about in the park working on pathways and clearance work over the last few weeks.
While progress is slow, they are getting on with the job, while also meeting and greeting members of the public who take the time to stop and have a chat about the support work they do. Also the dogs are making a new friend with one group member who keeps their attention away from the fact that their owners have stopped for a chinwag.
(Dogs are there to be walked not to listen to their masters stop and talk!

The team will also be increasing their presence in the park over the coming months as more people join the organisation.

If you would like to know more about the work this group do please call into the Canolfan for a chat they would love to hear from you.

Bluebells

The Bluebells are now starting to appear in the second woods.

The park also featured in an Evening Post article about being one of the best Bluebell walks in the Swansea area.

https://www.facebook.com/SWEveningPost/posts/1061428280596424

Seasonal Pond and other Birdlife

The Boardwalk is a great place to spot this years Ducklings from, as several members of the public have spotted some paddling with mum and dad.
And a Buzzard has been spotted flying around near the Coed Bach entrance and has been dazzling park users with its arial display.
We hope the Buzzard wont go near the pond area!


Overhanging Branches

These have been reported to the park authority and a team will be out to sort these out shortly as some of them are becoming a bit of an annoyance as they are hanging over pathways causing a slight obstruction.

Dog Laws

Much has been said lately on our other media pages about dog walkers in the park and we would like to remind people that small posters are placed at park entrances and clearly state what the dog laws are.

As usual we are on Facebook and Twitter and you can click the links at the top of this Blog.

March Update

March has been a very quiet month activity wise for us in the park. 
Our Volunteers have been out and about where possible sorting out some of the pathways throughout the woodland areas which were made boggy in the rain we have had since the end of last year. Also service users and the Neat team are still present in the park helping us out on a few minor jobs around the place.
And of course we have people working behind the scenes on Volunteer training programmes and looking for funding. So while it appears nothing is being done in the park itself rest assured we never stop.



Cats Update.

Around Christmas time the community was shocked to hear the news that a box of shaved cats had been dumped by the tennis courts and left to die.
The great news is that the pregnant cat gave birth to a healthy litter of kittens and all the cats have now been re-homed.
We thank Haven vets in Llanelli for keeping us up to date with their progress.

Scouts.

The Pontarddulais scouts (4th Lliw Valley) also came over the park for a twilight survey to see how much wildlife there was in the park and by the sounds of it there was plenty of bugs and other creatures to spot during the survey. (Photos Rebecca Routelidge)

Easter Egg Hunt.

One of the service user providers based at the Canolfan Y Bont 'Our Place' held an Easter Egg hunt in the woodlands they have been working in.
I don't know who had more fun, us hiding the eggs or the team racing to find them.
The team visit the park a few times a week so if you see them please say "Hello" as you walk past.

Look for the Super Hero.

One of our members found a Black and Gold Spiderman in the park and has been relocating him in various places around the park.
If you have any young kids you can play a game of 'Spot Spidey' as we will move him around the park and give you clues as where to find him on our Facebook Page.
(Also note he is only a little fella otherwise it would be way too easy to spot him :-)

Competition.

Our photo competition is still running so please feel free to submit any images you have taken of Coed Bach Park.

Wildlife.

Wildlife continues to flourish throughout the park.

(Images by Joanne Puddefoot and Brian Lloyd)

Other News.

Sadly someone has vandalised the Mushroom display by the Boardwalk and stolen one.

This display was built by the Neat team that helped build the walkway. If you know where it is please let us know. (You can contact us through our FB page or the email at the top of this blog.)

Also we have noticed an increase in people not picking up dog poo around the second woods area.

Volunteers are running out of their own bags as they have so much mess to pick up caused by irresponsible dog walkers who either do not care or think that the woodland areas are exempt from dog fouling laws.

The whole park is not only a public park which anyone can use but also it falls under dog fouling laws that can lead up to a £1000 fine if you are caught not picking up.

Our Twitter page (https://twitter.com/FOCBP) is running a 'Thank you' campaign against dog fouling.

We also ask that if you see anything or you have an unpleasant situation in the park to contact the Police on 101 for non emergency situations and 999 if you are being threatened or if something is being damaged.

Unfortunately things do happen from time to time and the FOCBP are only volunteers who's job it is to see to the park and keep an eye on the place.

We do not create the park rules nor do we run it so we cannot be held responsible if an incident occurs and it goes unreported by the victim. If you wish to contact us use the email at the top of this blog and we will assist you as best we can.
Also moaning about things on Social media helps no one. And if we all work together we can make the park a better place for everybody so please do your part.

As usual our Monthly meetings are held on the last Wednesday of everymonth over the Pontarddulais Cricket Club at 7.30pm please feel free to visit for a chat.

February Roundup

Hooray!!!!!!!! It stopped raining (for now) but now the park is drying itself out, however we are left with muddy patches in several parts of the pathways through the woodland areas.
Luckily we have volunteers on the case and work has begun to return the pathways to their former glory.
And we also thank Andrew and his team from Our Place with their help in putting things right.
But it all takes time so please be patient as we go about our work, and we advise if you are walking through the woodlands to use sensible walking shoes or wellies.
The worst affected areas are around the second woods near the Rugby pitch towards the Friendship tree area.

But on the good side Spring is showing the first signs of new life in the park with the Bluebells starting to poke through the ground.
Unfortunately the weather has been mild and the plant life seems to be coming through a little early and also the added wet weather meant we could not cut back as much undergrowth as we usually do so we will have to wait to see what kind of display we have this year.

Bluebells Grass

The springlike weather has been great for the animals and birds that use the park and the woodlands are full of birdsong and the sounds of cuckoos can be heard on a regular basis. And one of our regular park users has photographed a Stoat at home in the undergrowth.

Goldfinch. Photo Brian Lloyd

This February's issue of the SA4 Magazine has a large article written by myself about what the park has meant to me over the years. (It really is a riveting read even if I do say so myself.)
We are looking for peoples stories about the park and if you know anyone who would like to submit an article or help you write it, you can contact us at the email at the top of this blog.


Working closely with the local PCSO's over the last few years has led us to having a great relationship with our local police force, and whenever we get the chance FOCBP members bring them up to speed on events and what we are up to in the park ourselves.

Myself and PCSO Collins 

As usual we hold our meetings on the last Wednesday of every month in Pontarddulais Cricket Club at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome to join us.

We have heard of two wheelchair users being able to access the Boardwalk in the last few weeks and this is fantastic to hear. And several people from other areas around Swansea heard about the Seasonal pond and have visited us to have a look at the work we have done.


Our FB page is in full flight as is our Twitter feed (Links at the top of this Blog.)

We hope to hear from you soon.

January Roundup

Will this rain ever cease!

January 2016 has certainly been a very wet month for everybody and our park has become a muddy quagmire over the last few months.
Pathways have become boggy and muddy, water everywhere and even the seasonal pond has been overflowing practically every day since November, even one or two trees have toppled over.
However a little rain cannot stop the FOCBP and other organisations from getting our heads down and carrying on.

Our friends from the NEAT team are still working in the park, this time they are helping us on the BMX track project which has been laid out and is now being constructed, and they have also been involved with clearing pathways around the football pitches and second woodland areas of the park.
These will be tidied up in due course and hopefully it will make things better and easier under foot for everyone once the park dries out.
The team have also dug a trench alongside the pathway into second woods from near the Rugby pitch entrance. This is to help with drainage issues in that area.
If you are using the park we advise sensible walking footwear and to be careful as it is slippery underfoot with all the mud. But the main pathways are ok underfoot.

BMX Track

BMX Track

Cleared walkway Bottom Football Field

Drainage and Hardcore for pathway access

NEAT Team at work

Our volunteers have been out cutting back the brambles in the second woods to help with the Bluebells, but again the weather has slowed us up, and the milder climate seems to be helping one or two plants that don't normally grow at this time of year start to flower and bud early.
So we have our fingers crossed that we are going to be able to get to any undergrowth just in case the bluebells decide to put on an early show.


Access to the boardwalk has been improved as volunteers have made a concrete step which should help any wheelchair users get on to it a bit easier. As there was a slight step up originally.
All we need now is for the pathways to dry sufficiently to improve access overall.

No more step up on to the Boardwalk

Other News

We had a very disturbing case of animal cruelty in the park and many people were shocked to hear the news of these three poor shaved cats.

(click on the links to display stories)

http://www.llanellistar.co.uk/Llanelli-vets-appeal-cats-shaved-abandoned-park/story-28534832-detail/story.html

But we have recently been informed that they are now on their way to new homes.

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/New-home-cats-shaved-whiskers-chopped-dumped-park/story-28616801-detail/story.html


And we have received a nice message of support from Welsh AM Rebecca Evans, after several of FOCBP attended a meeting with City and County of Swansea Councillors at the Brangwyn Hall who recognised the impact our group was making within our own community following on from our Fields in Trust Award.

http://www.rebeccaevans4gower.com/latest-news/rebecca-evans-congratulates-coed-bach-park

But as usual we need more volunteers to come forward to help us carry the FOCBP into the future. If you have anything to offer please contact us as we would love to hear from you. And of course we would welcome you with open arms.
Monthly meetings are held on the last Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm at the Pontarddulais Cricket Club.

Phil Davies from Keep Wales Tidy has moved onto pastures new and welcome his replacement Kathryn Britton.
We would like to thank Phil for all his efforts over the last few years and we will miss him.

We currently have a few members of our team writing monthly articles for the SA4 Magazine which you can find in most public places throughout the Swansea area. But we need more Coed Bach Park related articles from you.
If you would like to help contribute please contact us through our email (top of this blog) or via our other social media sites as we would love to discuss any ideas with you.

As usual we are on Facebook and Twitter and to find us you can click on the tabs at the top of this blog.

Hope to hear from you soon.