Apple Tree Planting and Spring Seed Sowing

The perfect way to spend a Spring morning.

Bryngarw Park Volunteer Group

Saturday 7th March 2015 and a change to the published programme, 17 volunteers turned up to help plant and sow.

After feeding the very hungry ducks at the lake, we made our way up to the orchard.

We have bought some old welsh variety apple trees with our Environment Wales grant to help restore the old orchard close to the house.  We had some lovely varieties from Dolau-Hirion Fruit Trees including Channel Beauty and Cissy!  Julia was especially proud of her tree and will be monitoring it closely.

A new gas pipeline had been laid along the edge of the orchard, so this was perfect for our first area to sow with the wildflower seed mix.  Again, the funds were provided by Environment Wales and sourced from a supplier of native British Wildflower seed.  A mixture of flowers and grasses, this mix will be shade tolerant.

After raking the surface, a…

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Survey for Sam

I have a huge favour to ask please.

My son Sam is asking for as many people as possible to complete this very quick and easy survey for his University project.

Could you also send it on to anyone you think would complete it.  He needs as many done as possible in the next 2 weeks.

I’ve also attached the paper copy in case some people wouldn’t want to fill it out online.

Thank you so much for helping.

Leigh xxx

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GGJ5ZYL

Sam Forman FYP Survey (Excel Spreadsheet)

Participant Information Sheet

Brunel Business School

Research Ethics

1. Title of Research: Consumer Credit & its Effect on Purchase Behavior & Consumption

2. Researcher: Student Sam Forman on International Business, Brunel Business School, Brunel University

3. Contact Email: E-mail: 1108176@my.brunel.ac.uk

4. Purpose of the research:  The research aims to study the effect the availability or lack of Consumer Credit has on consumers when making purchase decisions.

5. What is involved:  The only task for the participant will be to complete a questionnaire/survey with questions regarding views on consumer credit and insights into purchase behaviour.

6. Voluntary nature of participation and confidentiality. Participating in this research by undertaking the completion of the questionnaire/survey is entirely a voluntary decision and will only be completed with the participant’s full consent. The participant will not need to give their name or any contact details to keep any information given confidential.

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch – Jan 2015

This weekend was the world’s largest wildlife survey, something I have done for a few years now.  It’s very easy to take part and submit records and you can even do it in the comfort of your own home.  Visit the RSPB Website for information

On Saturday the RSPB had a stand at Bryngarw Park to encourage visitors to sign up.   Ranger Keith had strategically placed some logs baited with birdie goodies in front of the window which was quickly being devoured piece by piece by a couple of Nuthatches.

I decided to have a wanderand went to visit the Bryngarw Keepers in turn, and list the birds that I saw.   No sign of the Dippers on the river and a fairly quiet hour, but I managed 11 species. While enjoying a coffee and sandwich outside Cedars tearoom, I spotted my first Treecreeper, but he was too far away to get a decent photograph..

The Keepers were looking wonderful in the Winter sunshine and are always a source of inspiration.

On Sunday morning, I topped up the feeders in the garden, made a cuppa and got ready with binoculars, the RSPB online form and enjoyed a lazy hour watching the birds.  Some of the regular visitors were missing, but I did see the first Sparrow of 2015 to visit plus a Wren was enjoying flitting around in the leaf litter.  11 species in total, with a bumper number of 12 Goldfinches.

Results are submitted and it’ll be interesting to see what birds are doing well and which ones are declining.  I can’t remember the last time I saw a Starling in the garden, when they were regular visitors just a few years ago.

 

Birding at Kenfig, Pyle & Kenfig Golf Course & Sker

Saturday 17th January 2015

I had the choice of a few outdoor events today, but as I have a bird watching weekend at Skomer coming up in April, I thought I’d better get some bird watching practise done.

So I headed for Kenfig on a bright and sunny Saturday for a brilliant bird walk with Glamorgan Bird Club, the first of 2015.

Strinda led 14 of us from the visitor centre at Kenfig, over Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club, past Sker House to the point at Sker Beach.

 

We were hoping for a sighting of the Little Owl, but it wasn’t to be today. However, we did get 37 species including the highlights for me – an Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Kestrel & Golden Plover. We’re also 80% sure we saw the Glaucous Gull. It was hunkered down by some rocks, so difficult to get the scope on it, but it was large, pale and where it was seen yesterday.

I also had a chat with Sker farmer Tony who was tagging one of his baby organic Pedigree Welsh Black calves, born just 2 days ago. He farms organically, which is probably why it’s such a rich habitat for our feathered friends.

All in all a lovely start to the weekend.  This group of Glamorgan Bird Club  meets on the 3rd Saturday of every month 9am at Kenfig National Nature Reserve.
Well worth joining.

Bird List:
Woodpigeon
Collared dove
Starling
Blackbird
Carrion Crow
Heron
Long tailed tit
Dunnock
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Magpie
Song Thrush
Robin
Stonechat
Herring gull
Reed bunting
Golden plover
Mistle thrush
Linnet
Kestrel
Wren
Goldfinch
Meadow pipit
Raven
Pied wagtail
Oystercatcher
Turnstone
Great black backed gull
Black headed gull
Glaucous gull
Buzzard
Chaffinch
House sparrow
Sparrow
Green finch
Cormorant
Jay

 

Rushy Reindeer

Our last meeting of 2014 for the Welsh Basket Makers South Wales Group and one I could actually make after missing most of the monthly meetings this year.

Sarah had the instructions and Mary had the soaked rush, so we set about making our  little rushy reindeer.  As always,  a peaceful hush descended on Colwinston School Hall and after much head scratching and twists & turns we all made some very lovely reindeer.

Some even stood up!

We enjoyed some chat, mulled wine and festive nibbles and will now be busy making even more reindeer tree decorations, christmas bunting…

Next meeting will be in January – like the  Facebook page to keep in touch

Welsh Basket Makers of South Wales

Bryngarw Keepers

The Bridgend Nature Keepers quest is being launched on Friday. They are spread over Bridgend County for everyone to discover. To appreciate the origin of the Keepers, you need to visit Bryngarw Park, collect your star talisman and visit each Keeper at the park to hear their story. It’s a magical way to reconnect with the natural environment all around you. Devised by Dan Lock of Bryngarw Park and Gina Gavigan when she was part of the Bridgend Tourism Development Team, it’s an amazing interactive project that does not require an internet signal!

Don’t take my word for it, go and visit and see for yourself

Bryngarw Park Volunteer Group

Beneath this land a story sleeps, ancient and unseen
The story which the Keepers keep, and always has it been…

Written by Daniel Lock

Our Bryngarw Keepers are a unique and interactive experience connecting the visitor to the natural environment around them.  Instead of using mobile apps or interpretation boards, use your senses to learn the story of these ancient guardians and the world they watch over.

The Keepers have been carved out of ancient oak that has fallen in the park by local chainsaw artist, Dai Edwards.

Collect your star talisman and map from Cedars Tearoom then begin your quest at the Circle of the Keepers.

There are four Keepers to discover in Bryngarw Park.  Explore the meadows, woodland, garden and river and you will find them.  Using the star talisman, awaken each Keeper and listen to their story.  They may even give you a clue as to the location of the next.  On finding all the Keepers you become a…

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Tree Planting at Bryngarw – Saturday 22nd November 2014

A couple of hours tree planting, then settle down to watch Wales beat New Zealand. Quite the perfect Saturday 🙂

Bryngarw Park Volunteer Group

We’ve had delivery of 420 free saplings, canes & guards from the Woodland Trust and we’re wondering if any of you fancy helping plant them this Saturday afternoon.

There are gaps in the Orchard & Woodland Garden hedges that could do with filling, plus a few to go in at the top end of the Nature Garden.

The rest will be planted as a tree nursery, so we have some ready to fill any other gaps as required.

Meet at Cedars at 2pm.

I’ll have some spades, gloves and decent biscuits!!

Please let me know if you can make it.

Leigh
bryngarwparkvolunteergroup@gmail.com

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Jane’s Caswell Bay Walk with Vale Ramblers

My first proper walk with the Vale Ramblers since August!!

My pal Jane led today’s walk from Caswell Bay, Gower, along the beach, up the Coastal Path, past Pwll Du, then inland over field and dale, through a very muddy wooded valley, then back down through Bishopston Wood.

The main walk report will follow from Jane, but my highlights were a helicopter parked in the garden, some impressive fungi, seeing Mark, Sharon and little Molly Molls haring down the beach (too quick for a photo) and revisiting the willow whelk shell that I helped Mel make at the Love your Countryside Festival.

But most of all, seeing everyone again after such a long time – what a great bunch of people.

Hedge Laying at Parc Slip

This bright Saturday morning saw some regular Bridgend Countryside Volunteers meet Rob & Hywel ready to lay some hawthorn hedge at the Wildlife Trust nature reserve at Parc Slip, Tondu.

I’ve been lucky enough to get my very own piece of kit  – thanks guys!!  So William the Billhook has his first outing.

Hywel went through the normal safety chat, why we lay hedges; shelter for stock,  excellent wildlife habitat, then we split into pairs and the banter began.

This is one of my favourite traditional woodland skills.  Following Hywel’s instruction, 6 of us managed to lay about 20 metres of hedge in a few hours, which should last for a few good years.

The next Bridged Countryside event is cutting down the Sea Buckthorn at Newton Beach, Porthcawl – Saturday 22nd November at 10am

A Sunday Morning Bimble Around Bryngarw

The weather this weekend has been very unsettled.  The Bridgend Countryside volunteer event at Newton clearing and burning the Sea Buckthorn was cancelled as it was too wet, so I had a free Saturday.  After debating all day yesterday whether to go out or not and generally mooching around, I was in need of some fresh air today…

Thankfully, my pal Julia was in the same mood, so we met at Bryngarw Park, collected our Keepers Star Talisman from Cedars Tearoom and started out on our Bryngarw Keeper’s Quest.

The Keepers are a unique interactive trail around Bryngarw Park that connects the visitor to their natural environment.  Leaving the Circle of the Flame in the car park, we made our way down to the river. There was no sign of the Dippers today and the river was running high and fast.  We stopped at the Keeper of the River and listened to her story.

From there we wandered through the Oriental Garden and discovered the Keeper of the Garden.  He has recently suffered a little at the hands of a failed attempt at vandalism.  The Keepers have been carved from ancient oak that has fallen at the park.  It’s an incredibly hard wood and with the determination of the Park Rangers & the generosity of Black Box AV, the old keeper of the Garden is still standing tall.

As well as the Keepers, there is plenty of wildlife in the park.  We were followed around by a few Robins, a couple of Buzzards overhead and some fabulous fungi.

My favourite Keeper,  Keeper of the Woodland was looking and sounding as impressive as ever in the Winter sun and listening to his story was a highlight of the morning.

Finishing off our quest with the beautiful Keeper of the Meadow we were ready for some refreshment at Cedars Tearoom.  The pumpkin soup was definitely a winner!

Bryngarw Keepers Quest at EveryTrail