Luscious Laburnum – Laburnum Anhygoel

Luscious Laburnum

On last month’s Volunteer Workday we had an enjoyable time clearing up two Laburnums that had fallen in to the hay meadow. A bit of wood processing keeps you warm on a chilly damp day!

It was a great opportunity to discuss the fascinating history, botany and uses of the Laburnum tree. Among other things, the hard, long lasting wood makes great fence posts

Laburnums are a very distinctive feature of this corner of Carmarthenshire, especially when in flower (see photo above!!). Here’s a post from right back in 2013 about coppicing laburnum on the Trust that includes some of the history and uses of this fascinating tree.

Laburnum Anhygoel

Y mis diwethaf cawsom amser difyr yn clirio dau Laburnum a oedd wedi disgyn i’r weirglodd. Mae ychydig o brosesu pren yn eich cadw’n gynnes ar ddiwrnod oer a llaith!

Roedd yn gyfle gwych i drafod hanes hynod ddiddorol, botaneg a defnydd y goeden Laburnum. Ymhlith pethau eraill, mae’r pren caled yn gwneud pyst ffens gwych.

Mae laburnums yn nodwedd arbennig o’r gornel hon o Sir Gaerfyrddin, yn enwedig pan fyddant yn eu blodau (gweler y llun uchod!!). Dyma bost o nôl yn 2013 am brysgoed laburnum ar y tir hwn, sy’n cynnwys peth o hanes a defnydd y goeden hynod ddiddorol hon.

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February and March Volunteer Workday – Diwrnod Gwaith Gwirfoddolwyr Chwefror a Mawrth

February and March Volunteer Workday

Diwrnod Gwaith Gwirfoddolwyr Chwefror a Mawrth

Saturday 11th February
Saturday 11th March 
10am-4pm

Dydd Sadwrn Chwefror 11eg
Dydd Sadwrn 11eg Mawrth
10yb-4yp

All are welcome to attend our volunteer workdays.

The days runs from about 10am – 4pm. Workdays are a great opportunity to meet us, learn about the work we do here, socialise, share experiences and enjoy a delicious bring and share lunch!

Depending on numbers attending, weather and what people would like to do we will choose and prioritise tasks from the “to-do” list.

Mae croeso mawr i bawb i’n diwrnodau gwaith gwirfoddol.

Mae’r diwrnodau’n rhedeg o tua 10am – 4pm.

Mae diwrnodau gwaith yn gyfle gwych i gwrdd â ni, dysgu am y gwaith rydyn ni’n ei wneud yma, cymdeithasu, rhannu profiadau a mwynhau cinio blasus dod a rhannu!

Yn dibynnu ar niferoedd, tywydd a beth hoffai pobl ei wneud byddwn yn dewis ac yn blaenoriaethu tasgau o’r rhestr “i-wneud”.

Our Work Day “to-do” list includes:

  • Installing gate posts, a gate and a short length of post and wire fence across one of the grass tracks on the farm. Using sustainably sourced Chestnut posts.
  • Continuing with the “boot room” porch on the barn kitchen.
  • Finishing the shelter for the Kiwi that grows up the front of the barn
  • Planning doors for the front of the Round House

If you plan to come, please get in touch and let me know, in case we have to cancel because of bad weather.

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.

Mae ein rhestr “i-wneud” yn cynnwys:

  • Gosod pyst giat, gât a darn byr o ffens postyn a gwifren ar draws un o’r traciau gwair ar y fferm.
  • Gan barhau gyda’r porth “ystafell esgidiau” ar gegin yr ysgubor.
  • Gorffen y lloches ar gyfer y Kiwi sy’n tyfu i fyny blaen yr ysgubor.
  • Cynllunio drysau ar gyfer blaen y Ty Crwn

Os ydych yn dod, rhowch wybod i ni, rhag ofn i ni orfod canslo oherwydd tywydd gwael

Mae’r digwyddiad yn rhad ac am ddim. Dewch â dysgl i’w rannu ar gyfer cinio a dillad gwaith addas.

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October Volunteer Workday – Diwrnod Gwaith Gwirfoddolwyr Hydref

October Volunteer WorkdayDiwrnod Gwaith Gwirfoddolwyr Hydref

Saturday 8th October, 10am-4pm

Dydd Sadwrn Hydref 8fed, 10am-4pm

All are welcome to attend our volunteer workdays.

The days runs from about 10am – 4pm.

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

Tasks we have lined up include:

  • Building a “boot room” porch onto the barn kitchen. We’ll be getting creative with materials from various stashes around the farm!
  • Building a shelter for the Kiwi that grows up the front of the barn, to give it a little more protection from late Spring frosts and see if we can get some fruits from it. We’ll be raiding those stashes again…
  • Mulching the gardens around the barn using old hay and bracken.

If you plan to come, please get in touch and let me know 🙂

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.


Mae croeso mawr i bawb i’n diwrnodau gwaith gwirfoddol.

Mae’r diwrnodau’n rhedeg o tua 10am – 4pm.

Mae diwrnodau gwaith yn gyfle gwych i gwrdd, cymdeithasu, rhannu profiadau a mwynhau cinio blasus dod a rhannu!

Mae’r tasgau rydym wedi’u trefnu yn cynnwys:

  • Adeiladu porth “ystafell esgidiau” i gegin yr ysgubor. Byddwn yn dod yn greadigol gyda deunyddiau o ystodiau amrywiol o amgylch y fferm!
  • Adeiladu lloches ar gyfer y Kiwi sy’n tyfu i fyny blaen yr ysgubor. Bydd hyn yn rhoi ychydig mwy o amddiffyniad iddo rhag rhew diwedd y Gwanwyn, felly efallai y byddwn yn cael rhywfaint o ffrwythau ohono y flwyddyn nesaf. Byddwn yn ysbeilio’r stashes eto…
  • Tomwellt y gerddi o amgylch yr ysgubor gan ddefnyddio hen wair a rhedyn

Os ydych yn dod, rhowch wybod i ni. 🙂

Mae’r digwyddiad yn rhad ac am ddim. Dewch â dysgl i’w rannu ar gyfer cinio a dillad gwaith addas.

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Open Day – Diwrnod Agored

Open Day – Diwrnod Agored

Sunday 4th September – Dydd Sul Medi 4ydd

Join us for a day of tours on the
theme of Low Impact Living. Booking essential

£15 / £10 concession

Ymunwch â ni am ddiwrnod o
deithiau ar y thema Byw Effaith Isel. Archebu yn hanfodol

£15 / £10 consesiwn

or email-ebost: michelle_laine@yahoo.co.uk
phone-ffon: 07813 464990
Concession available to people on a low income or otherwise unable to afford a standard ticket. Whilst not primarily a family event, accompanied children are welcome to attend. Please contribute £3 -£7.50 to cover costs, depending on age of your child



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Solstice Moth Weekend 18th-19th June

 Join All Year Round for our annual celebration of all things Moth!

Ymunwch Trwy’r Flwyddyn ar gyfer ein dathliad blynyddol o bopeth Gwyfyn!

We will be setting up the moth trap on the night of Saturday 18th June and seeing what we have found on the morning of Sunday 19th June. All lovingly surrounded by friends, campfires, a bring and share feast, chat, games, wildflower labyrinths and all the usual lovely stuff.

Byddwn yn gosod y trap gwyfynod ar nos Sadwrn y 18fed o Fehefin ac yn gweld pa rydym wedi darganfod ar fore Sul 19eg Mehefin. Y cyfan wedi’u hamgylchynu’n gariadus gan ffrindiau, tanau gwersyll, gwledd dewch a rhannu, sgwrs, gemau, labyrinth blodau gwyllt a’r holl bethau hyfryd arferol

Those who would like to camp over in the wildflower meadows are welcome; otherwise come back early on Sunday to help identify the moths and release them back into the wide world.

Mae croeso i’r rhai a hoffai wersylla draw Yn y dolydd blodau gwylltion; neu dewch yn ôl yn gynnar ddydd Sul i helpu i adnabod y gwyfynod  a’u rhyddhau yn ôl i’r byd eang.

The moths are amazing and beautiful. 
If you have never experienced the hidden wonder of what flies at night you are in for a treat!

Mae’r gwyfynod yn anhygoel ac yn hardd. 
Os nad ydych erioed wedi profi rhyfeddod cudd yr hyn sy’n hedfan yn y nos, rydych chi mewn am wledd!

Cost

£10 Adult / Small Family : £2.50 Child : £20 Family 

The event will be held outdoors around the Trust barn and Roundhouse. (If the forecast is very poor we may postpone.)  Overnight camping is available on site at no extra cost. 
LIMITED PLACES, PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE

Outline Timetable 

Saturday 18th June Sunday 19th June 
5pm
Arrivals, campers set up

6.30pm
Bring and share feast. A campfire will be available for cooking if you want

Evening
Campfire, games or craft, walk the wildflower labyrinth

At Dark
Set up the moth trap, probably in Mari Jones

Bed!
9am 
Look in the moth trap! Identify, record and release the moths with the help of Sally Hall

Departures by lunchtime.


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Family Friendly Grassland Management Event!

Family Friendly Grassland Management

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.

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

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

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

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

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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