Local Community Groups Contacts

Please follow these groups media channels for community and park news.

Friends of Coed Bach

https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/550777668395584/

Pontarddulais Partnership

https://www.facebook.com/CanolfanYBont28/

Kevin Griffiths, Community Updates

https://www.facebook.com/Pontarddulais-community-updates-1288944484559787/

Pontarddulais Juniors

https://www.facebook.com/ptfcjuniors/

Carnival Committee

https://www.facebook.com/Pontarddulais-and-Hendy-festival-committee-623186657709569/

Our 2018 roundup, with special thanks to our volunteers, the support from City and County of Swansea Parks Department and Keep Wales Tidy organisation.

This year we have achieved:-

Installation of 2 picnic benches/tables and an interpretation Map panels installed this year through the Tesco Grant.

We planted 118 Lavender Plants to form a small hedge of Lavender as the years go on thanks to the Dwr Cymru grant.

We have added to the hedgeing plants that were planted by the Scouts at Coedbach Road entrance and have started to plant shrubs and bushes on the bank opposite the lower football field, this is ongoing.

We've also planted up 6 flower boxes with winter Violas with help from the Shine Cymru organisation volunteers and intend to plant up the other 3 boxes.

We have supported the Sustrans's initiative to get a cycle path to connect Pontarddulais to Grovesend cycle path.

We currently have exhibition in Library, thanks to Gaynor, for people who want to put messages on the tags that go on the "Friendship Tree" in the Park. Date tbc but usually week before Christmas for decoration of tree.

We have tried to clear some of the bulrushes from the Pond, thanks to Clive, Windsor and Vyv.

The Our Place Team have continued to top up the wood chip paths and regularly do litter picks in the park and we are grateful for this ongoing support.

We had the baccaularete pupils from the Dylan Thomas school maintaining the bmx track by topping it up with stone duff and chippings that we bought and they also painted the football container.

We were again awarded the Green Flag Community Parks award.

We couldn't do this without the support of the community. So please do visit the park, enjoy the facilities and if you see us working do say hello! We're always looking for new volunteers/projects/funding. Thank you.

 Facebook.

https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/550777668395584/

 Twitter:- https://twitter.com/FOCBP

FOCBP Facebook Page.

The Friendship Tree tags are now available at Pontarddulais Library, ready to be hung in Coed Bach Park in December. 
Call in and pick a slice of the wood that is available, and then write in pencil your message. These will be burnt on by Gaynor Fuge who leads this project. 

Donations can be given to Friends of Coedbach park, at the library.

As usual you can follow our Facebook page at:-

https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/550777668395584/

And our Twitter Feed at:- https://twitter.com/FOCBP

Whats on in Pontarddulais Facebook Page

Proposed Cycling Track.

A message from Pontarddulais Mayor Kevin Griffiths.

Kevin Griffiths Pontarddulais Town Council

Green Flag 2018

Excellent! We've been awarded The Keep Wales Tidy Green Flag Award for another year running! With thanks to everyone for all your efforts to help us maintain the park.

As usual you can follow our Facebook page at:-

https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/550777668395584/

And our Twitter Feed at:- https://twitter.com/FOCBP

FOCBP Facebbook Page

Tennis for Free.

Tennis for free is back in Coed Bach Park every Friday evening from 5-6pm.

To book your spot please click on the link below.

https://coedbach.courtline.net/

Please note this event is weather dependant and can be called off at any time.

Don Richards Swansea Tennis Centre

Lavender planting.

Thanks to  the Our Place Team for the added help and to our members in picture Maureen,  Margaret, Lucia, Tom and Claire for getting the lavender hedges planted. And also to Dwr Cymru for making it possible to buy the lavenders to help our pollinators and improve the biodiversity of the park. 

Also we give thanks to the NEET Team for the planters and to the Glynhir WI for donation out of which we bought the Tulip bulbs which are flowering now alongside some fungi, well after all it is a natural park.

As usual you can follow our Facebook page at:-

https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/550777668395584/

And our Twitter Feed at:- https://twitter.com/FOCBP

FOCBP Facebook Page

Green Flag 2017

The Friends of Coed Bach Park and the Our Place team are pleased to announce that we have retained the Community Green Flag award which covers the 2nd woods area for another year.
It has been a great effort by the Our Place team who constructed the (short lived but another on the way wigwam) and the FOCBP members and also the Council Park team who have all worked together to make the woods a great area to visit.

And the other news is. There is more to come, so watch this space.........


http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/14-perfect-swansea-time-out-13350032


As usual you can follow our Facebook page at:-
https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/550777668395584/



And our Twitter Feed at:- https://twitter.com/FOCBP

Keep up to date on the latest happenings in the park between Blog Updates.



Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/550777668395584/

Twitter.
https://twitter.com/FOCBP?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

January 2017

The FOCBP would like to give a 'HUGE THANK YOU!' to Noaked Bakers based in Pontarddulais for their very kind donation to our group over the Christmas period.
The money raised will help us keep looking after the park.


The Coed Bach Park entrance on Coed Bach Rd has seen better days and is now looking tired and neglected.
We are looking for help/ideas and funding to take on this project and if you have any ideas on what you would like to see done here please contact us on the email at the top of this blog page.

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.

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.

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.

November Roundup

The big news this month is of course the Seasonal Pond Boardwalk has been completed.
The NEAT team faced more difficulties than they originally expected, but they got the job done. Since it has opened it has become quite the attraction in the park with a lot of people commenting how great it is.
There are one or two little tidying up jobs to do around the area but the weather is delaying this at the moment. And as soon as we get the chance we will be straight in there.
We also give a huge thank you to ARK Fencing who provided the wood for this project and also kindly donated a wooden bench for people to sit on.

Planters have been placed by the Coed Bach and Gwynfryn rd entrances to the park and we are in the process of deciding what to place in them.

Work parties have resumed this month with several teams of volunteers clearing overgrown areas by the Coed Bach entrance and other areas around the park.
And of course litter picks are ongoing.

This month also saw an exhibition of the FOCBP Christmas tree tags and work we have done in the park being displayed at the Pontarddulais Library.
We thank Gaynor for her effort in setting this up for us as it does take a lot of time and planning to hold such a thing.

We finished this month off by holding a stall at the Pontarddulais Comprehensive Winter Fayre. Thank you to everybody who turned up to help run the stall. It was all worthwhile.

This year we decided not to produce any Calendars and have instead produced Christmas cards. These are for sale throughout Pontarddulais and can also be purchased directly from us for £4.50 for a pack of 10.
If you want to know where you can purchase the cards you can contact us through our Facebook page (link at the top of this page.)

There will be no monthly meeting in December as we have decided to head for the nearest pub instead to hold our annual FOCBP Christmas party.
But we will of course keep you informed across our social media sites on any park news as it happens.

August Roundup.

August is traditionally a very quiet time around Coed Bach park and this year is no exeption.
Local PCSO officers had stepped up patrols in the park over the summer holidays but the bad weather seemed to play its part and helped keep any trouble under control.
Apart from three scrambling bikes using the park and members of the public coming forward with information regarding the incident, the park has been otherwise quiet as FOCBP members continue litter picks and a spot of tidying up throughout this quiet period.

In October work parties should resume their efforts, as you know we cannot do much cutting during summer months, due to the wildlife which settles and nests in the park over this period of time.
The unfortunate consequence of this is the park looks overgrown and slightly untidy.
But it is all about management of the enviroment and no work is carried out without the approval of Swansea City Council and various enviromental groups.

There is a mini adventure course currently being installed in the Childrens play area.
Hopefully this will be ready soon.

The project to build the boardwalk out to the seasonal pond will be underway very soon, And FOCBP will be looking forward to working with various groups on this project.
It will make for easier access to the main seasonal pond in the second woods, and it will feature an area where you can go pond dipping  for wildlife and other creatures that live in the pond.

Volunteers are constantly working on funding ideas during these quiet times, so even though nothing is being worked on in the park we are busy behind the scenes.
And of course we are always on the look out for new volunteers.

As usual we post regular updates on our Facebook and Twitter sites and you can click on the links at the top of this page.

July Roundup

Over 15,000 views on this Blog since we first started

Thank You all for stopping by.

July has been a very quiet time around the park so we don't have much news this month.

Towards the end of the school term we were delighted to have the local junior schools bring their pupils over for a morning and afternoon session of games and other activities. Everybody enjoyed themselves and it was great to see the park in full use.
Who needs Oakwood park when we have Coed Bach!

Also we are launching a photo competition and the first prize is your image will feature in next years cards/calendars we are producing and your image will be the centre point of a local exhibition promoting the park.

Click on image to enlarge.

Park Budgets

At our last meeting on 26/7/15 at Pontarddulais Cricket Club park's development manager Richard Davies took some time out of his busy day to pop along and give us an update on the situation with regards to Swansea Parks budgets.

As we know it is tough times for all Council run departments and budgets are being slashed due to lack of funding from central goverment. This also effects our parks in the area and they no longer have the manpower they need to attend to everything in the park.

Richard has set up a Friends of Swansea Park's forum on Facebook and they meet occasionally in Swansea to discuss and share ideas.

This hopefully will lead to all volunteer groups being able to share ideas and hopefully share machinery (and volunteers) to attend to our parks.

It is more important than ever to get more volunteers on board to save our open spaces.

If you would like to join us the contact email is at the top of the screen and you can contact us via Facebook or Twitter.

As you can see from the aerial map below over the last five years FOCBP have been able to make a big difference in the park all through volunteer efforts.

Changes Made

New Tennis Courts

Seasonal Pond

Extended hard standing area by the Rugby pitch

Skateboard Ramps

Extending the BMX track with support from local schools

Continual planting and clearence work around the park

Safer Swansea schemes implemented to improve park safety

Extra bins and seating 

You too can also be a part of something great.

Click on map to enlarge image taken from Google Maps

Dog Poo

Due to a minority of people not picking up after their dogs we have been forced into the difficult decision of calling in the Dog Wardens.

People are allowing their pets to foul our pathways and volunteers (many of who are dog owners themselves) have found themselves picking up other peoples mess or worse still stepping in it.

We have to say the majority of people follow the rules but sadly one or two have even told us. 'It's ok as we are in a woodland area'

And one little boy told an irresponsible owner 'But I play in here!!!!!' Well done that little man.

Also FOCBP members are always watching and are willing to lend a bag if the owner mat have run out. (it happens)

Volunteers

There has not been much activity this month due to the Summer wildlife settling into the park but we have been out litter picking and a small bit of clearence work has been carried out.

Wildflowers

As you can see we have had a bumper crop of wildflowers growing by the Coed Bach entrance this year and if you stop to study the flowers you will notice the Bees and other insect life going about it's business of pollentaing the flowers.

Can we please ask people not to pick any of these flowers as they are given by the council to the people of Pontarddulais and they are there to be enjoyed and not damaged.

Also in the park we have a few fruit trees. These are beginning to bear the first signs of any sort of fruit growing on them.
Unfortunately people have already started picking at them and the fruit is not yet ready to be picked.
Can we please ask you not to pick anything off the trees until we give official notice, as the trees are currently getting damaged.
Warning notices will be placed around the park until further notice. And we will make a public announcement when things are ready.

Tennis coaching has restarted in the park. Please ring the number on the banner if you want to book a session.
All sessions must be booked through the Swansea Tennis Centre.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

Links are at the top of the screen.

June Roundup

The beginning of the month saw an incident in the park where youths were using a scrambling bike in the area. They then decided to use the football pitch as a scrambling course, but they were spotted by members of the Safer Swansea volunteers and after a short search by thr police and some great detective work by members of the public in the town the youths were identified and given an official warning about off roading in illegal places.
Just remember the park is always being watched!
We at FOCBP thank everybody that took time to phone the 101 non emergency number.

Sports and Activities

This month was Carnival month and things kicked off in the park with the inter school sports evening over the park.

This year the pupils of Ysgol Gymraeg Bryniago took the top honours.

Well done to everybody that took park and we hope you had fun.

Swansea CC also installed a new swing in the Playarea and this has proved to be very popular with everyone (including adults :-)

As usual a big THANK YOU to all as Swansea Council for all your work and effort in installing this for us.

And this year the pre carnival funrun returned to the park this was another well attended event for the community.

And a Basketball hoop was installed near the far end of the football pitch by the roundabout in the road.

Hopefully this will provide anyone with a ball a good challenge to pop a hoop.

Winners of the inter school sport Bryniago.

Our new swing.

Basket Ball hoop.

Some of the Pontarddulais Scouts (4th Lliw Valley) ready for the funrun.





4th Lliw Valley Scouts

4th Lliw Valley Scouts clearing the park before Sports day.

After carnival day (very wet)

The 4th Lliw Valley Scouts have been very busy in the park this month helping to clear the park of any rubbish before and after the Carnival.

Again thank you guys and girls.

You can find out more about them below.

http://4thpontarddulais.scoutsites.org.uk/

Volunteers

Volunteers have aso been active in the park picking up other peoples rubbish.

It is not up to us to clear up after you it is your responsibility.

Please Bin It!

Dog poo bags are no longer being distributed by the council due to cutbacks. We are looking into an alternative way of having bags in the dispenser in the park.

So we ask for you to bring your own with you (they cost a few pence from Tesco or other places.)

FOCBP and other park users have noticed that some people are refusing to pick up their dog's mess and we want to avoid having to call in dog wardens to deal with such people.

The majority of people do clear up but sadly it is a minority that just don't bother and give everybody a bad name.

Carnival Day

After our exploits on the float last year we returned to our traditional stall on the Carnival field.

On hand were volunteers armed with clipboards talking to the public and finding out more about facilities in the park and we have had a lot of positive feedback from this event.

Also Gaynor and Tarra spent several hours facepainting to raise funds for the FOCBP group, again this was very popular with everybody.

Thank's to everybody that volunteered their time and gave us feedback.

Wildlife

As we are in the summer months you may have noticed the grass is a little long and overgrown in some areas.

This is simply to support the summer wildlife that uses the park woodland areas, and to be able to provide habitats for any breeding or nesting species.

Clearing programmes will again resume in the winter months for next year.

Also by the Coed Bach entrance we have a display of Wildflowers growing.

This year is a bumper crop so pop over for a look.

Wildflowers.

Other Events.

The Bowls club that use the park will be running free taster sessions throughout the summer. So if you fancy a go feel free to pop over to the bowling green by the Gwynfryn rd entrance.

Just bring flat bottom trainers or shoes.

The sessions will start at 10am.

As usual Thank You to everybody that has contributed images to our Facebook page and Twitter site.

We hope to see more from you soon.

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