Family Friendly Grassland Management Event!

Posted on April 21, 2022 by Michelle

Family Friendly Grassland Management

  • Yellow Rattle
  • Learning to Scythe

A day of family friendly workshops in partnership with Cwm Arian Renewable Energy

This event is for you if you’re interested to learn more about managing grassland, how to spot interesting grassland species, are interested to learn more sustainable land management or would like to use your creativity to produce a collaborative nature-based work of art.

  • Learn how to spot grassland plants with local ecologist Jon Hudson
  • Take a tour of the trust’s 24 acre farm with Michelle
  • Watch Phillip scything part of the grassland by hand
  • Work with local artist and Oriel Gallery’s education coordinator Emma, to create a beautiful clay grass-imprint tile. All artworks created will be exhibited in Y Stwidio at the Growing Better Connections’ end of year art exhibition
  • Growing Better Connections will also be providing a light lunch and refreshments catered for by Veganish Mum.
Book Your FREE Tickets Here

Where to Meet:

We will be meeting at the Dyfed Permaculture Trust site at Penboyr, Drefach Felindre, Llandysul, SA44 5JF. The entrance to the track is opposite the red phone box in the centre of Penboyr village, grid reference SN356 367, ‘What three words’:- judges.strikers.succeed.

Parking is limited at the trust, so please lift share, use public transport, or your legs! where possible. Please be aware that there are no passing places on the track to trust and follow the parking signs as you enter the trackway.

What to Bring

  • Drinking water (GBC will be providing hot water & biscuits during the refreshment break),
  • Your own mug and water bottle,
  • Stout walking boots or wellies,
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers,
  • A sun hat and sun cream,
  • Notebook and pen,

Health & Safety

  • The event will be outside, please ensure that you are equipped for the changeable weather,
  • Please be mindful of keeping a safe distance from other attendees,
  • If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, are feeling unwell or have COVID-19, please stay safe at home,
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HOW TO BUILD A Low Impact Structure

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Michelle

A series of 3 day skillsharing workshops where you can learn about:

Using basic tools /TIMBER FRAMING / installing WINDOWS AND DOORS / roofing / BASIC DWELLING DESIGN / insulation / DRAINAGE / Passive solar heating / OFF GRID electricity generation and MUCH MORE

Through a gentle teaching method of skill-sharing and co operation you can have fun and gain confidence and experience in basic building techniques and design

Hosted by
Matthew Douglas
b u i l d e r & d e s i g n e r
LOW IMPACT SOLUTIONS
www.lowimpactsolutions.co.uk

Limited spaces, £15 a day
Discounted Camping is available

Workshop Programme*

MAY 27th / 28th / 30th
Drainage / Foundations

JUNE 24th / 25th / 27th
Timber framing / windows

JULY 22nd / 23rd / 24th
Roofing / Off Grid electricity

AUGUST 19th / 20th / 21st
Doors / Insulation / Flooring

SEPTEMBER 16th / 17th / 18th
Flooring / interiors

*This program may change. Please contact us to join the mailing list for details, updates and how to apply :
07904 918811
Information.douglas@gmail.com

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March Volunteer Workday

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Michelle

March Volunteer Workday

Sunday 27th March, 10am-4pm

This month we will be giving the main Forest Garden areas their annual weed, then mulching them with bracken from one of the Trust’s fields.

It’s amazing how good these areas look with minimum maintenance! The picture above shows Phil scything round them last summer.

Workdays are a great opportunity to meet, socialise, share experiences and enjoy a delicious bring and share lunch!

If you plan to come, please get in touch to book your place.

The day is free to attend. Please bring a contribution for a bring and share lunch, work gloves, work boots and/or wellies and any clothing that the weather might need!

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All Year Round Equinox “Spring Clean” and Afternoon Tea Party

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Michelle

All Year Round 
Equinox “Spring Clean” and Afternoon Tea Party

2-5pm on Sunday 20th March

Dewch i ddathlu – Come to celebrate! Join us for an All Year Round Equinox celebration featuring:

“Spring Clean Your Wardrobe” Clothes Swap 

Bring along any spare clothes you have (adult or child sized) and take home some new-to-you ones in a Grand Clothes Swap.

Any clothes left at the end will be donated to The Red Cross Charity shop to support their work with refugees.

“Spring Clean” the Wildflower Meadows   

We have many, many moles in our wildflower meadows, which we love as it implies we have many, many worms. But oh the mole hills!

In the spirit of “Many Hands Make Light Work” we’ll join together to give the meadows a Spring Clean, and rake out the mole hills ahead of the flora display to come in June. 

Equinox Afternoon Tea

After all our Spring Cleaning efforts we can gather and refresh ourselves with a delicious Afternoon Tea, prepared by Olwyn Pritchard. There will be Tea, there will be Cake 😋

Please bring clothes to swap or give away and a rake (if you have one). So we have a idea of numbers, it would be great if people can book in advance. Book your slots here 🙂

 Trwy’r Flwyddyn
Equinox “Spring Clean” a Te Parti Prynhawn

2-5pm dydd Sul 20fed Mawrth

“Declutter Eich Cwpwrdd Dillad” Cyfnewid Dillad

Dewch ag unrhyw ddillad sbâr sydd gennych (maint oedolyn neu blentyn) ac ewch â rhai newydd adref gyda chi mewn Cyfnewid Dillad Mawr.

Bydd unrhyw ddillad sydd ar ôl ar y diwedd yn cael eu rhoi i siop Elusen y Groes Goch i gefnogi eu gwaith gyda ffoaduriaid.

Gwanwyn Glanhau’r Dôl Blodau Gwyllt

Mae lawer, llawer o tyrchod daear gyd ni yn ein dolydd blodau gwyllt. Rydyn ni’n eu caru nhw gan ei fod yn awgrymu bod lawer, llawer o fwydod gyda ni hyfed. Ond och y bryniau twrch daear!


Yn ysbryd “Many Hands Make Light Work” byddwn yn ymuno â’n gilydd i roi Gwanwyn Glân i’r dolydd, a chribinio’r bryniau twrch daear cyn yr arddangosfa fflora sydd i ddod ym mis Mehefin.

Te Prynhawn Equinox

Ar ôl ein holl ymdrechion Glanhau Gwanwyn gallwn gasglu ac adnewyddu ein hunain gyda 
Te Prynhawn blasus, wedi’i baratoi gan Olwyn Pritchard. Bydd Te, bydd Teisen 😋

Dewch â dillad i’w cyfnewid neu eu rhoi i ffwrdd a rhaca (os oes gyda chi). Felly mae gennym ni syniad o rifau, byddai’n wych pe bai pobl yn gallu archebu ymlaen llaw. Archebwch eich slotiau yma 🙂

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February Volunteer Workday

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Michelle

February Volunteer Workday

Sun 27th Feb 2022 10am- 4pm

This month there will be three main activities going on (weather permitting!)

Michelle will be coordinating a gardening group to give the main Forest Garden areas their annual weed and mulch (if it is dry enough). It’s amazing how good these areas look with minimum maintenance.

We’ll also be reviewing the willow around the Roundhouse. We will keep the majority of it, but will look at what needs to be coppiced or removed to improve light and views from the main windows.

Phil will work be working with the Permaculture Principle that The Problem is the Solution.

Using some brash that is currently spilling over a path he will work with a group to tidy up the drainage ditch that was created on an earlier workday.

Not only will the brash give the drainage ditch an aesthetically pleasing finish and create a wildlife habitat, it will clear and widen the access around the barn

Matt and a pair of helping hands or two will be aiming to Produce no Waste by reusing a selection of left over floor tiles to make a durable, washable floor for the Trust’s funky bucket shower (pictured left).

Workdays are a great opportunity to meet, socialise, share experiences and enjoy a delicious bring and share lunch!

If you plan to come, please get in touch to book your place.

The day is free to attend. Please bring a contribution for a bring and share lunch, work gloves, work boots and/or wellies and any clothing that the weather might need!

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All Year Round – Imbolc – Trwy’r Flwyddyn

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Michelle

All Year Round returns!

Mae Trwy’r Flwyddyn yn ôl!


Join us from 2-5pm on Sunday 30th January to celebrate Imbolc and the return of the light.

All the old favorites will be there – fire, friends, food and craft. Plus the chance to share any ideas you might have for celebrating the turning of the seasons in 2022.

Ymunwch â ni o 2-5pm ddydd Sul 30 Ionawr i ddathlu Imbolc a dychweliad y golau.

Bydd yr hen ffefrynnau yno i gyd – tân, ffrindiau, bwyd a chrefft. A chyfle hefyd i rannu unrhyw syniadau sydd gennych ar gyfer dathlu troad y tymhorau yn 2022.

Dewch i ddathlu – Come and celebrate!

So we can manage Covid risks, we are limiting numbers and asking people to book in advance. 
Book your slots here

Er mwyn i ni allu rheoli risg Covid, rhaid i bawb archebu ymlaen llaw. 
Archebwch yma

There is limited parking at the Trust. Or you can opt to join a TIME CAPSULE walk up from Drefach Felindre.

The walkers will collect leaves that will be pressed as a collective artwork until Imbolc 2023.

The walking group will meet at Parc Puw at 1.20pm. The walk takes about 35 minutes.

Mae lleoedd parcio cyfyngedig ar y Fferm. Neu gallwch ddewis ymuno â thaith gerdded o Drefach Felindre.

Bydd y criw cerdded yn cyfarfod ym Mharc Puw am 1.20pm. Mae’r daith gerdded yn cymryd tua 35 munud.

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January Roundhouse Workday Report

Posted on January 13, 2022 by Michelle

We had another great Roundhouse workday on Saturday 8th January! As the building gets more established the tasks get a bit fiddlier, so we were working in teams yesterday.

Team one were tasked with filling the 13 sided hole in the middle of the floor.

It was a rather irregular tridecagon, so they made a template using an old bit of polytunnel plastic before transferring to the board and cutting out. It only need a bit of final fettling to get a good fit.

Next step to create something exciting on top…a mosaic perhaps?

Team two were on gardening.

After harvesting bamboo canes for use by team three they worked on clearing the beds around the roundhouse ready for a good muck and mulch around the existing planting.

Team three were making Roman blinds as a temporary fill for the three open panels, when we want to make it more cosy inside.

Armed with a set of curtains found in charity shop, an old sheet, bamboo canes, small rings, string, a couple of sewing machines and googled instructions we set to work.

It was real guerrilla sewing – I don’t think I’ve ever used a sewing machine in a barn dressed in muddy boots, coat and a woolly hat before!

The results of all three team’s work looks really great. I’m looking forward to the next stage!

If you want to join us for future workdays, sign up to our newsletter

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Sustainable Beekeeping Training

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Michelle

Sustainable Beekeeping Training

Friday 6th, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th May 2022

We are really excited to be hosting the 3 day Sustainable Beekeeping training run by experienced natural beekeeper, Sean Hearn, for the second time (see feedback from the last course).

People are becoming increasingly aware of the issues around honeybees and their ecological importance. We all know they pollinate our fruits and vegetables but do we know the impact our beekeeping practices are having on the health of the honeybee?

With experienced ecological beekeeper, Sean Hearn, we will look at beekeeping practice from a holistic perspective and seek to explore what a practice would look like if bee health and bee-centred design were at its core, rather than honey production.

The course starts by seeking to understand the honeybee as deeply as possible. This includes basic biology, swarming behaviour and honeybees in the wild. We view this knowledge as an essential starting point on the journey to more sustainable ways of working with bees.

We will also seek to place honeybees in the context of the wider ecology and spend time understanding other types of bee including bumblebees and solitary bees

Then grounded in our understanding of bees we will then look into the craft of sustainably working with bees. This will include sustainable hive design, Warre management throughout the season, swarming, honeybee health and the sustainable harvest of honey, wax and propolis.

We will also spend time observing the beehives at Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust during the course.

This course is for anyone from beginners to experienced beekeepers who are interested in learning about more sustainable methods of beekeeping. There are 12 places available.

We are asking for £225 for the 3 day course and £180 concession rate and we are more than happy to talk about payment plans to make accessing this course as fair as possible.

We will be providing teas and coffees but ask that you bring along your own food for the day and a bee suit if you have one!

Beautiful accommodation is available at nearby Larkhill Tipis and Yurts for the course if required. Please contact larkhillcamping@gmail.com.

Camping is also possible at the Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust whilst you are on the course. Please contact Michelle on 07813464990 or michelle_laine@yahoo.co.uk for more info.

To book a place on the course and with any questions please contact naomi.glass@gmail.com.

Feedback from 2021 Course

“Loved it! I’m inspired to support bees.”

” I particularly liked the mix of philosophical, theoretical and practical and the adaptation to students’ interests/ questions. There were knowledgeable, but not prescriptive answers. The course was a jump-off point for so much more; the start of a network/ working group of like-minded people working with/ for bees. Even if we don’t get bees to look after, it is is the start of new, informed action.”

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“I particularly liked Sean’s patience in being interrupted and answering questions all the way through, which made it very interactive. Sean was very responsive to people’s personal angles of interest.”

“Thank you – this felt like a form of initiation! You are a very generous teacher.”

” I particularly liked the orientation to observation, to giving the bee agency – to teach us how to be with them…also the warre methodology feels like a practice I can orient to.”

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November 6th Volunteer Workday

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Michelle

Our next volunteer workday will be Saturday 6th November, from 10am – about 4pm

We will be working on the Roundhouse again this time.

Watercolour and Ink map of the farm
Above: Watercolour and Ink map of the farm

We will be mixing batches of cob to:

  • infill the tops of walls,
  • finish cob and cordwood on sides of posts
  • sculpt around the windows to hide frames and generally beautify

Other tasks include:

  • Fitting stove chimney
  • “Skirting” around the floor
  • Making a template for the hole in the middle of the the floor, ready for infilling
  • Making hessian and straw “draught excluders” for top of walls.

It also a great opportunity to meet, socialise, share experiences and enjoy a delicious bring and share lunch!

Places are limited and must be booked in advance. The day is free to attend.

Please bring a contribution for a bring and share lunch, work gloves, work boots and/or wellies and any clothing that the weather might need!

Croeso Cynnes i Bawb!

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October 9th Volunteer Workday

Posted on September 30, 2021 by Michelle
“Before” and “After” images above:
The amazing transformation of the Roundhouse woodburner that happened on the last workday

Our next volunteer workday will be Saturday 9th October, from 10am – about 4pm
We will be working on getting the Trust’s infrastructure ready for winter.

Remember our fancy new accessible composting toilet? It’s getting good reviews from visitors and now we need to ensure that the access to it doesn’t flood if (when??) we get a lot of rain this winter.

In brief, jobs will include:

  • planning
  • clearing vegetation
  • extending the ditch by the hedge
  • meeting and talking to other Trust members and volunteers
  • enjoying a delicious bring and share lunch!

There may also be some tasks to do on the roundhouse, depending on numbers.

Places are limited and must be booked in advance. The day is free to attend.

Please bring a contribution for a bring and share lunch, work gloves, work boots and/or wellies, loppers / secateurs / spades / digging tools if you have any and any clothing that the weather might need!

Croeso Cynnes i Bawb!

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