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Community Forest Garden, Parc Teifi, Cardigan.
Too beautiful to stay a secret, find out more and spread the word.
Introduction – How we came to Parc TeifiWe created and successfully ran a community forest garden near Cardigan for 10 years which came to an end in 2017. During the 10 years many hundreds of children and volunteers were involved by: Working, planting, picking, learning and playing in the garden. The old land was bought by a new landlord and came to an end. We began to look around for a new site and saw the land at Parc Teifi. We made contact with the Welsh Government and they were impressed with our work and achievements over the last 30 years with communities in London and in the last 15 years in West Wales. Much of the work was achieved through a huge volunteer commitment and funded primarily through the Eco Shop and kind donations from local businesses in Cardigan. Community Asset Transfer and Getting the KeysAfter writing a proposal for a community asset transfer in June 2017, and working with the solicitors to agree all the terms. We were given the keys to the new site at Parc Teifi in February in 2019. The picture shows the first small group to see the official new site ate Parc Teifi. Community Interest Company In order to receive the land we put in place a community interest company CIC. This is a community benefit company that will keep the land secure indefinitely for the benefit of the community and environment. We felt it was time to invest in a project that would have a safe and secure future. Starting the planting We began planting the forest garden in the winter of 2019. During the first year we out in place infrastructure like the bridge, sheds, shelter and made the site safe. This was a huge amount of work, employing many skilled people to build and develop the site which was all managed by Alpay. Funding The Eco Shop was set up in 2010 in Cardigan which successfully operates today and is kept open 11am – 3pm six days a week by a dedicated bunch of volunteers. The money the shop makes has funded all the work in the new forest garden site thus far. We also received a grant from the community fund which funded the open day, permaculture course, forest schooling planning and planting days and administration. What is a Forest garden?Forest gardens are sustainable, edible landscapes designed to work like the natural structure of forests with their tree, shrub and herb associations. These are some examples of what a forest garden can be made of: fruit and nut trees (plum, apple, pear, almond, hazel) fruit bushes (currants, worcester berries, raspberries and loganberries) herbs (rosemary, sage. lavender, mint, and borage ) Making use of companion planting, these can be intermixed to grow in a succession of layers to build a woodland habitat. Community Forest gardening is about people and their communities , learning and working with nature not against it to fulfill their diverse needs. Forest gardens can be planted in back gardens, school grounds, public space. They have the potential to contribute enormously to the social, physical, spiritual, economic and environmental well being of communities. Forest gardening is a prehistoric method of securing food in tropical areas. It was in the 1980s that Robert Hart coined the term “forest gardening” after adapting the principles and applying them to temperate climates. |
‘Haenau Digonedd’ yn cael eu ychwanegu i Ardd Goedwig Gymunedol leol. Mae Naturewise wedi enill £36,966 o gyllid er mwyn gwella’r mentro 5 erw ar gyrion Aberteifi. Ariennir y prosiect yma gan y cynllun Coetiroedd Cymunedol. Mae’n cael ei ddarparu gan Gronfa Treftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol mewn partneriaeth â Llywodraeth Cymru.
‘Layers of Abundance’ added to local Community Forest Garden. Cardigan’s Naturewise Community Forest Garden scoops £36,966 of funding to further enhance the 5 acre venture. This project is funded by the Community Woodlands scheme. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the Welsh Government.
Full blog post here: ‘Layers of Abundance’ Community Woodlands Grant
OPEN DAY on Saturday 19 September (9/3/2026) - Brief details of the day ...continue reading
CYLCHLYTHYR NATUREWISE NEWSLETTER: AUGUST/ AWST 2026 (8/26/2026) - Here we are in August and it's been months since our last regular newsletter. Our apologies. This has been due to a shortage of time rather than a shortage of news. So today there's quite a bit to make up for that. Dyma ni ym mis Awst ac mae misoedd… ...continue reading
Community Volunteer Day 18 July (7/15/2026) - Reminder we have a Community Volunteer day next Saturday 18 July. 10am-4pm. ...continue readingParc Teifi, Cardigan
We are open every Tuesday from 10am till 4pm (in summer when the light is good we often work on). We are also open 3rd Saturday of every month where we usually cook food on the fire.
Bring your own drinking water/ food/ gloves. We provide tea and biscuits.

All are welcome, there is always something to be done and ways to enhance your gardening skills and knowledge in forest gardening and permaculture.
With a vast range of plants to look after and designs to implement, there are jobs for all and families are welcome. We meet Every Tuesday and the 3rd Saturday in the month 10-4 pm . Children are the responsibility of parents and can play freely or contribute to tasks.
We recently worked with CAVO on their valuing volunteers project with the main task in mind to produce a volunteers handbook – we are very pleased with the result and you can see it here… Naturewise Handbook (Final)
If you’d like more information please contact us directly simply visit our contact page
For all future events at the Forest Garden please see our events page, you can be kept up-to-date with all news and updates by subscribing to our mailing list on the right column of this page.
The Eco Shop is open Mondays to Saturdays from 10 till 3 pm, and is staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers. Anyone wishing to get involved should call Martin on 01239 612734 or 07528 363653
The Eco Shop was set up in 2008 and became a Community Interest Company in 2019, whose sole purpose is to provide Funds for the Naturewise Forest Garden.
We have had very positive feedback from local primary schools following visits from groups of children who have participated enthusiastically in tree planting and activities designed to raise awareness of the natural world and understanding of how our food is produced.
The Eco Shop also offers volunteer opportunities.
If your interested in helping out there then please contact Martin on 01239 612734 or 07528 363653.
Monday: 11am – 3pm
Tuesday: 11am – 3pm
Wednesday: 11am – 3pm
Thursday: 11am – 3pm
Friday: 11am – 3pm
Saturday: 11am – 3pm
Sunday: Closed
Happy New Year & Saturday 17 Jan Volunteers day (1/14/2026) - Wishing everyone a Natural and Peaceful 2026.Yn dymuno flwyddyn 2026 naturiol a heddychlon i bawb. Saturday January 17th Starting 10.30am - Learn how to prune currants, a short talk and demo and then work in teams so you can discuss and have mutual support. Tea and cake, delicious apples to… ...continue reading
New website (6/8/2020) - New colourful look for our website with more functionality ...continue reading
Nature Ranger, Forest Schooling At Earth Play Forest School we…
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The Teifi Green Guide is a website of its own as well as its own recycled paper version and is a green directory for goods, businesses and services available locally to the Teifi valley area, west wales. Below is an embed from the website.
New website (6/8/2020) - New colourful look for our website with more functionality ...continue readingOn the day you can experience:
Ar y diwrnod gallwch brofi:
Here we are in August and it’s been months since our last regular newsletter. Our apologies. This has been due to a shortage of time rather than a shortage of news. So today there’s quite a bit to make up for that. Dyma ni ym mis Awst ac mae misoedd wedi mynd heibio ers ein cylchlythyr rheolaidd diwethaf. Ymddiheuriadau. Mae hyn oherwydd prinder amser yn hytrach na phrinder newyddion. Felly heddiw mae cryn dipyn i wneud lan am hynny.
Note: This post contains many photos – see the full size versions in the Gallery on this Link: Photos – Naturewise Nodyn: Mae’r post hwn yn cynnwys llawer o luniau – gwelwch y fersiynau maint llawn yn y Oriel ar y Dolen hon: Photos – Naturewise
Currently, the land is really suffering from the drought. Volunteer helpers have been keeping the garden watered as best we can. Though our reserves of water have got very low and volunteers have been bringing water to the garden to help the distressed plants. It is shocking to see the grass land at the garden without any green. Many plants and trees are holding on, some apple trees look well, many still have plenty of fruit. Unfortunately, we expect our produce harvest will be poorer this year. Our blackcurrant crop was almost non-existent. Sadly the Sweet grass looks crispy, soil and some pathways are cracked in many places. This week we picked damsons from the north hedge for the first time also plums, black berries, lettuce, spinach, and tomato (just the one). Makes us realise even more the impact of the climate crisis. We will have to upgrade our water harvesting systems to be able to survive these droughts. It’s apparent that this is becoming the ‘normal’ conditions that we will have to cope with.
Ar hyn o bryd, mae’r tir yn dioddef yn fawr o’r sychder. Mae’r gwirfoddolwyr wedi bod yn cadw’r ardd wedi’i dyfrio cystal ag y gallwn. Gan bod ein cronfeydd dŵr wedi mynd yn isel iawn, mae gwirfoddolwyr wedi bod yn dod â dŵr i’r ardd i helpu’r planhigion sydd mewn trafferthion. Mae’n syfrdanol gweld y glaswellt yn yr ardd heb unrhyw wyrddni. Mae llawer o blanhigion a choed yn dal ati, mae rhai coed afal yn edrych yn dda, mae gan lawer ddigon o ffrwythau o hyd. Yn anffodus, rydym yn disgwyl y bydd ein cynhaeaf cynnyrch yn waeth eleni. Nid oedd ein cnwd cyrens duon bron yn bodoli. Yn anffodus, mae’r glaswellt melys yn edrych yn grimp, mae’r pridd a rhai llwybrau wedi cracio mewn sawl man. Yr wythnos hon, fe wnaethon ni gasglu damsons o’r clawdd gogleddol am y tro cyntaf, hefyd eirin, mwyar duon, letys, sbigoglys, a thomato (dim ond un). Mae’n gwneud i ni sylweddoli hyd yn oed yn fwy effaith yr argyfwng hinsawdd. Bydd yn rhaid i ni uwchraddio ein systemau cynaeafu dŵr er mwyn gallu goroesi’r sychderau hyn. Mae’n amlwg bod hyn yn dod yn amodau ‘arferol’ y bydd yn rhaid i ni ymdopi â nhw.
Roedd y cylchlythyr diwethaf nôl ar diwedd fis Chwefror, fellu wneud ni dechrau o fis Mawrth gan adolygu ein
Our last newsletter was at the end of February so let’s start from March and reviewing our
Roedd y Dydd Mawrth cyntaf ar ôl Dydd Gŵyl Dewi yn odidog gyda llawer o docio, tori mieri a’u losgi. First Tuesday after St Davids Day was a glorious day lots of pruning and bramble cutting and burning.
Plannwyd llawer o doriadau cyrens duon a chrëwyd llawer mwy mewn sawl gwely newydd. Roedd yn waith caled rhyddhau’r ddaear o’r glaswellt a oedd yn tyfu trwy’r gorchudd daear a roddwyd dros y plot a fwriadwyd ar gyfer gwenith ar gyfer prosiect Ein Cegin y llynedd (ni chafodd ei ddefnyddio yn y diwedd). Rydym yn gobeithio defnyddio’r gwely yma wedi’i ailwampio ar gyfer asbaragws nad yw wedi ffynnu’n dda mewn rhan wahanol o’r Ardd Goedwig, lle cafodd ei orlethu gan Ysgall y Maes. Mae’r pridd yma serch hynny’n wael a byddwn yn gwneud gwely wedi’i godi i ddal compost wedi’i ddraenio’n dda.
Lots of blackcurrant cuttings were planted and lots more created in several new beds. It was a hard job freeing up the ground from the grass growing through the ground cover that was put over the plot that was intended for wheat for the Ein Cegin project last year (it ended up not being used). This re-vamped bed we hope to use for asparagus that has not done well in a different part of the Forest Garden, where it got overwhelmed by Creeping Thistle. The soil here though is poor and we will make a raised bed to hold well drained compost.
Lluniau o’r top i lawr: chwynnu, berwi dŵr ar gyfer te a choffi, amrhywiaeth o weithgareddau, coed Almwn yn flodeo, ond mae ‘na wastod amser am coffi a chlonc amser cinio yn y Tŷ Crwn.
Photos from top down: lots of weeding and activity and boiling water for tea and coffee. Almond tree can be seen in blossom, but always time for tea and chats at lunchtime in our roundhouse.
Cawson ni gyfarfodydd cynllunio i drafod pa lysiau i’w tyfu ar wahanol leiniau o amgylch yr Ardd Goedwig. Clirion ni’r gwelyau a ddefnyddiwyd y llynedd gan Ein Cegin ar gyfer gwenith a hau ‘tail gwyrdd’ yn y gwelyau hyn.
Yn ystod yr adeg hon o’r flwyddyn, tocion ni lwyni cyrens, fe wnaethon ni hefyd eu domwelltio ac ychwanegu tail, a gymerodd lawer o ddyddiau.
We had planning meetings to discuss what vegetables to grow on various plots around the Forest Garden. We cleared the beds that were used last year by Ein Cegin for wheat and sowed ‘green manure’ in these beds.
During this time of year we prune currant bushes, we also mulched them and added manure, which took many days.
Dyma sawl llun hyfryd gan ffotograffwr newydd a wnaeth ymweld â’r ardd ac ymarfer wahanol technegau ar gyfer ei cwrs ffotograffiaeth. Here are some photographs by a visiting fledgling photographer, practicing different techniques for his photography course.
Mae’r gwanwyn yn yr Ardd Goedwig yn hyfryd ac mor faethlon. Mae’r blodau a’r tyfiant yn dod â llawenydd i’n calonnau. Roedd harddwch o’n cwmpas.
Spring in the Forest Garden is wonderful and so nourishing. The flowers and blossom and burgeoning growth brings joy to our hearts. Beauty was all around.
Roedd gweithgaredd yn yr ardd yn parhau: mae clirio mieri yn dasg ddiddiwedd; plannu hadau llysiau ar yr adeg iawn o’r flwyddyn a gall rhywfaint o gynaeafu ddigwydd fel tynnu rhiwbob cynnar.
Activity in the garden was ongoing: clearing brambles is a never ending task; planting vegetable seeds at the right time of year and some harvesting can happen like pulling early rhubarb.
Yn y tywydd da: Gall cŵn orffwys yn yr haul neu’r cysgod ac amser cinio, mae te, coffi a chacen yn amser i gysylltu a dal i fyny gyda ffrindiau. Yna mwy o waith chwynnu a chloddio ffosydd ar gyfer plannu tatws a wnaed dros sawl sesiwn gan ddefnyddio’r plot a glustnodwyd ar gyfer polytunnel, gan arbrofi wahanol dull o tyfu tatws. Mae angen i ni godi arian i brynu gorchudd ffrâm polytunnel newydd.
In the good weather: Dogs can rest in sun or shade and at lunch time, tea coffee and cake is a time for connection and catching up with friends. Then more work weeding and digging trenches for planting potatoes which was done over several sessions using the plot earmarked for a polytunnel, experimenting with different methods of growing potatoes. We need to raise money to buy a new polytunnel frame cover.
Rydyn ni’n casglu hadau ac wedyn mae angen eu threfnu a’u chadw; fel y hadau Ysgall Mair yma o tyfiant llynedd. Roedd y Llaethlys yn edrych yn hyfryd. We collect seeds that then need sorting and storing: like these Milk thistle seeds from last years’ growth. The Euphorbia looked exquisite.
Mae’r Ardd Goedwig mor angenrheidiol ar gyfer ein sefydlogrwydd yn y dyfodol. Mae cymaint o ansicrwydd gydag arweinwyr yn achosi anhrefn a dinistr, mae meithrin gardd fwytadwy a meddyginiaethol yn gwneud cymaint o synnwyr. Yn yr Ardd Goedwig rydym yn ystyried ein bod yn rhan o ‘newid da’ a dyfodol hapus a gwydn: yn llawn planhigion, coed, pryfed, pridd iach, digonedd o ffrwythau a bwyd – heb sôn am yr hwyl, y rhannu a’r cysylltiad sydd gennym.
The Forest Garden is so necessary for our future stability. There is so much uncertainty with leaders causing chaos and destruction – nurturing an edible and medicinal garden makes so much sense. At the Forest Garden we consider we are part of ‘good change’ and a resilient happy future: full of plants, trees, insects, healthy soil, abundant fruit and food – not to mention the fun, sharing and connection we have.
Gan cynnwys brechdannau wy wedi ffrio, lliwio wyau a chacennau a phasteiod cartref ynghyd â’n bara brith fegan arferol. Including fried egg sandwiches and egg dying, Plus home made cakes and pies and, plus our usual vegan bara brith.
Mae blodau’r gwanwyn yn llawenydd, ond mae rhywfaint o dwf yn ddiangen felly mae chwynnu gwelyau yn waith angenrheidiol. Yna caiff hyn ei gompostio: mae troi’r compost yn waith arall (yn ein baeau sydd wedi’u hadeiladu o baletau) Eleni cawsom lawer o fagiau o bridd da ‘cartref’ i’w ychwanegu at welyau ar gyfer rhywfaint o’n plannu.
Spring flowers are a joy, but some growth is unwanted so weeding beds is a necessary job. This is then composted: turning the compost is another job (in our bays constructed from pallets) – some say that this is a bit of ‘mucking around’ – but when they do they are PUNished ☺. This year we got many bags of good ‘home grown’ soil to add to beds for some of our planting.
Cawsom adborth gwych ar gyfer y digwyddiad hwn e.e.: “Diolch am drefnu diwrnod mor hyfryd! Teimlad cymunedol gwych, planhigion a hadau gwych. Rydym mor ffodus i gael Naturewise ar ein stepen drws. xx”
Diolch yn fawr i bawb am eu cyfraniadau: planhigion, hadau, dŵr poeth, cacennau. Roedd yn llwyddiant mawr, llawer o bobl,rhai wynebau newydd a cododd y caffi £150!
We had some wonderful feedback for this event e.g: “Thank you for organising such a lovely day! Terrific community feel, great plants and seeds. We’re so fortunate to have Naturewise on our doorstep. xx”
Big Thanks to everyone for their contributions: plants, seeds, hot water, cakes. It was a great success, lots of people, some new faces and the cafe raised £150!
Ac mae wastod flodau prydferth y Gwanwyn i’w mwynhau ar yr achlysuron rhyfeddol hyn. And there is always the beautiful Spring blossom to enjoy on these wonderful occasions.
Nina, un o’n gwirfoddolwyr rheolaidd, a welir yma yn clirio rhan gyfan o’r ffin gwely llysiau, gan ei gwneud yn edrych yn dda.Nina, one of our regular volunteers seen here clearing a whole section of the veg bed border, making it look good.
Ar ddechrau mis Mai cawsom rai cyflawniadau gwych, cafodd y gwelyau meddyginiaethol eu clirio a’u torri’n ôl yn hyfryd, ac maent yn edrych yn wych. Torrodd gwirfoddolwr wyth milltir o wair, gan wneud llwybrau llifllyd yn llifo drwy’r ardd a chadw mieri draw mewn ardaloedd a oedd wedi’u clirio o’r blaen. Cafodd y gwelyau llysiau fwy o sylw. Daeth gwirfoddolwr â phlanhigion i’w plannu allan a llenwyd gwely. Plannodd plant bys gyda chymorth gwirfoddolwyr. Llwyddodd rhiant anhygoel i blannu llwythi o fefus er bod ganddi 4 o blant gyda hi. Roedd yna ychydig o chwarae a chysylltiad â’r plant, sy’n dda i ni i gyd.
Ymwelodd Tom, cysylltydd cymunedol o PAVS (Cymdeithas Sefydliadau Gwirfoddol Sir Benfro) gyda ffocws ar deuluoedd yn cysylltu ag adnoddau yn ein gardd.
At the beginning of May we had some fantastic achievements, the medicinal beds got a lovely clear and cut back, and are looking great. A volunteer mowed eight miles, making stream-lined paths flowing throughout the garden and keeping brambles at bay in previously cleared areas. The veg beds got more attention. Plants got brought by a volunteer to plant out and a bed got filled. Children planted peas with the help of volunteers. An incredible parent managed to plant loads of strawberries even though she had 4 children with her. There was a bit of play and connection with the children, which is good for us all.
Tom a community connector from PAVS (Pembroke Association of voluntary Organisations) visited with a focus on families connecting with resources at our garden.
Mae’r ardd lysiau, sy’n cael trafferth cystadlu am sylw gyda gardd goedwig 5 erw, yn edrych yn dda ac yn gynhyrchiol. Diolch i bawb.The veg garden which has a hard time competing for attention with a 5 acre forest garden is looking good and being productive. Thank you to everyone.
Daeth Yousef o’r Canolfan Gwybodaeth Bioamryiaeth Gorllewin Cymru ar y 12fed o Fai, i ddangos i ni sut i adnabod a recordio beth sy’n tyfu yn yr ardd. We had Yusef on the 12th from West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre showing us how to identify and record what’s growing at the garden.
Sesiwn agor llygaid rhyfeddol gyda Yusef. Dangosodd i ni sut i ddefnyddio’r Ap recordio ar-lein sy’n arbed y data i’r LERC: canolfan cofnodion amgylcheddol leol. Gall unrhyw un ddefnyddio’r ap hwn. Rhoddodd lyfr nodiadau recordio bach i ni hefyd, felly mae gennych y dewis o recordio ynddo yn gyntaf ac yna uwchlwytho’r wybodaeth i’r ap pan fyddwch chi’n cyrraedd adref. Defnyddiwyd y llyfr bach hwn hefyd sy’n nodi’r holl blanhigion rydych chi fwyaf tebygol o’u gweld yng Ngheredigion. Roedd hyn yn ddefnyddiol iawn. Fel rhan o’r cwrs, cawsom hwn am ddim. Defnyddiwyd chwyddwydr llaw pwerus, i weld strwythur planhigyn yn manwl ac i’n helpu i adnabod pryfed. Dyma oedd y rhan ryfeddol gan ei fod yn agor y byd hynod fanwl nad ydym fel arfer yn ei weld ac mae’n brydferth iawn. Roedd yn brofiad dwys ac yn ostyngedig iawn. Bydd Yusef yn arwain sesiwn arall ym mis Medi, cadwch lygad ar y gofod hwn am fanylion.
A most wonderful eye opening session with Yusef. He showed us how to use the online recording App which saves the data to the LERC: Local environmental records centre. Anyone can use this app. He also gave us a little recording notebook, so you have the option of recording in it first and then uploading the information onto the app when you get home. We used this small book as well which identifies all the plants you are most likely to see in Ceredigion. This was very helpful. As part of the course we received this for free. We used a powerful hand magnifying glass, to see the structure of a plant close up and to help us identify insects. This was the extraordinary part as it opens up the incredibly detailed world we don’t normally see and it is very beautiful. It was a profound experience and very humbling. Yusef will lead another session in September, watch this space for details.
Wrth dorri gwair am 8 milltir yn yr Ardd Goedwig, ymwelir â phob un o’r pedwar cornel. Rydyn ni’n ceisio bod yn dwt ac yn daclus iawn ar gyfer ein diwrnod agored ar Fai 19eg. When mowing 8 miles at the Forest Garden all four corners are visited. Trying to be extra neat and tidy for our open day on May 19th.
Ar ôl i’r lluniau yma cael eu rhannu ar ein grŵp WhatsApp, gofynodd pobl am Calendr Naturewise. After these photographs were posted on our WhatsApp group there was a call for a Naturewise Calendar.
Yn anffodus doedd dim digon o amser i’w wneud ar gyfer yr Eisteddfod, ond ‘falle wnewn ni un mewn digon o amser i Nadolig. Unfortunately this couldn’t be done in time for the Eisteddfod, but we may produce one early Winter in time for Christmas.
Dangosodd Raphaelle sut i wneud Ffiz Ysgawen – dyma’r cyfarwyddiadau a chanlyniad yr arddangosiad. Rydyn ni wedi bod yn yfed hwn yn y tywydd poeth ac mae’n hollol flasus. Nodyn atgoffa serch hynny i ‘ffwrpio’ y poteli’n ofalus – gall agor yn sydyn arwain at golli cyfran fawr o’r ddiod trwy ffynnon enfawr o hylif gludiog iawn!
Raphaelle demonstrated how to make Elderflower Fizz – here are the instructions and the result of the demonstration. We have been drinking this in the hot weather and it is absolutely delicious. A reminder though to ‘burp’ the bottles carefully – sudden opening can result in the loss of a great proportion of the drink via a huge fountain of very sticky liquid!
Ar ein Ddiwrnod Dathlu ar Fai 19eg, fe wnaethom ddiolch a dathlu’r holl sefydliadau ac unigolion sydd wedi rhoi cymaint i’r Ardd Goedwig yn ystod 2024-25. Rhaid crybwyll yn arbennig:
Ni allem fod wedi cyflawni’r hyn a wnaethom heb yr holl gefnogaeth anhygoel hon. Fe wnaethom hefyd gyflwyno ein cyflawniadau gan ddefnyddio adroddiad Tŷ’r Cwmnïau 2024-25, llawer o luniau, a byrddau mawr gyda gwybodaeth ariannol, oriau gwirfoddolwyr, niferoedd ymwelwyr, cynnyrch a dyfwyd, caniatâd cynllunio a dderbyniwyd ar y sied feiciau a’r ardal gegin awyr agored. Roedd y diwrnod hwn yn ymwneud â ni yn dathlu ein cyflawniadau a all fod yn anodd eu gwneud – pan fo cymaint mwy i’w wneud bob amser. Daeth y syniad o ddiwrnod dathlu cyflawniadau o’n gwaith gyda CAVO a’u cefnogaeth Gwerthfawrogi Gwirfoddolwyr. Gobeithiwn y bydd gwirfoddolwyr yn gweld yr effaith a wnaant ac yn teimlo manteision eu cyfraniad. Fe wnaethom wahodd cyngor y dref, yr AS, yr AC a’r Maer i’r digwyddiad hwn, yn anffodus nid oedd neb ar gael (o bosib achos roeddent yn rhy fisi gyda’r etholiad?)
On the Celebration Day on May 19th we thanked and celebrated all the organisations and Individuals who have given so much to the Forest Garden during 2024-25 Special mentions go to:
We couldn’t have achieved what we have done without all this amazing support. We also presented our achievements using the Companies House report 2024-25, lots of photos, and big boards with financial information, volunteer hours, visitor numbers, produce grown, planning permission received on the bike shed and outdoor kitchen area. This day was about us celebrating our achievements which can be difficult to do- when there’s always so much more to do. The idea of an achievement celebration day came from our work with CAVO and their valuing volunteer’s support. We hope that volunteers do see the impact they make and feel the benefits of their contribution.
We did invite the town council, MP, the AM and the mayor to this event, sadly no one was available (possibly due to them being busy with the Senedd election?)
Mae yna fidio yn Crynhoi y Dathliad ar YouTube. There is a video of ‘Rounding Up’ the Celebration Day on YouTube on this link: https://youtu.be/WBmAXr2fex8?si=l18LX3OhPET7Kgf1
Trefnwyd i ni, fel rhan o wythnos y gwirfoddolwyr, ymweld â gardd Goedwig Bruce ddydd Mercher 10 Mehefin: cyrraedd am 10am am daith o 2/3 awr yn Nhrewyddel. Yn anffodus bu glaw trwm yn ystod wythnos y gwirfoddolwyr a bu’n rhaid i ni ohirio’r dyddiad. O ganlyniad, collodd llawer o bobl allan ar yr ymweliad hwn.
It was arranged for us as part of volunteers week to visit Bruce’s Forest garden on Wednesday 10 June: arriving 10am for a tour for 2/3 hours in Moylegrove. Unfortunately there was heavy rain on the volunteers’ week and we had to push the date forward. Consequently many people lost out on this visit.
Mae’r Ardd Goedwig hon yn 25 mlwydd oed: felly wedi’i hen sefydlu – yn llawn rhyfeddod, a digonedd o goed, llwyni a phlanhigion anhygoel. Gardd goedwig go iawn ym mhob ystyr o’r gair. Mae’n rhyfeddol ac yn bwysig i ni weld pa mor fawr y gall popeth dyfu. Mae Bruce wedi’i gysylltu’n agos iawn â’i ardd, trwy fod ynddi, derbyn ei bwyd yn helaeth a llawer o arsylwi. Gwnaeth i ni edrych yn ofalus ar lawer o bethau: o flagur bach i ffrwythau a chnau yn dod allan. Roedd yn hynod wybodus. Mae’n cael y rhan fwyaf o’i fwyd a’i faeth o’i ardd. Roedd yn fraint bod yno. Bydd Gardd Goedwig Gymunedol Naturewise yn edrych yn debyg yn y pen draw.
This Forest Garden is 25 years old: so really well established – full of wonder, and amazing trees, bushes and plants galore. A real forest garden in every sense of the word. It is extraordinary and important for us to witness how big everything can grow. Bruce is very intimately connected to his garden, by being in it, receiving its food in abundance and lots of observation. He got us to look closely at many things: from tiny buds to fruit and nuts coming forth. He was extremely knowledgeable. He derives most of his food and nutrition from his garden. It was a privilege to be there. Naturewise Community Forest Garden will look similar eventually.
Hemlock Waterdropwort Removal Hemlock Waterdropwort Tynnu
Dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf rydym wedi gweld cynnydd enfawr yn nifer y Blodau Cegid. Mae rhai ardaloedd o’r Ardd oedwig yn gorsiog ac yn amodau tyfu delfrydol ar gyfer y planhigyn hwn. Rydym yn ceisio cael gwared â chymaint ag sy’n synhwyrol o’r planhigyn blodeuol gwyn gwenwynig iawn hwn cyn iddo hadu a lledaenu. Er ein bod yn gadael digon ohono ar gyfer y peillwyr sydd wrth gwrs wrth eu bodd â’r blodau, mae angen i ni gadw hyn dan reolaeth. Roedd hon yn swydd eithaf beichus, dyma luniau cyn ac ar ôl cael gwared.
The last two years has seen a huge increase in Hemlock Waterdropwort. Some areas of the forest garden are marshy and ideal growing conditions for this plant. We try to remove as much as is sensible of this highly poisonous white flowering plant before it seeds and spreads. Although we leave plenty of it for the pollinators which of course love the flowers, we do need to keep this under control. This was quite an onerous job, here’s before and after removal photos.
Hyfryd gweld y doreth o bryfed rydyn ni’n eu cael yn yr Ardd Goedwig. Dyma Chwilyn Hirgorn brith ddu ar Rhosyn a Chacwn ar Llysiau’r Milwr Coch/ Gwaedlys. Lovely to see the abundance of insects we get at the forest Garden. Here is a Black spotted longhorn beetle on a Rose and Bumblebee on some Purple Loosestrife.
Rydyn ni wrth ein bodd â gwenyn meirch (peillwyr anhygoel a phryfed sy’n bwyta plâu) oni bai eu bod nhw wedi penderfynu nythu wrth ddrws y toiled compost! Yn gyntaf, fe symudon ni eu nyth i weld a fydden nhw’n dilyn. Fe wnaethon ni hefyd rwystro eu mynedfa a gwneud un arall iddyn nhw. Ni weithiodd yr un o’r pethau hyn ac yn anffodus bu’n rhaid i Raphaelle wisgo siwt i’w difa ac i atgyweirio’r fynedfa a wnaethon nhw. 😔We love wasps (amazing pollinators and pest-eaters) unless they have decided to nest right at the door of the compost toilet! We firstly moved their nest to see if they followed. We also blocked their entrance and made them an alternative one. None of these things worked and sadly Raphaelle had to suit-up to exterminate them and to repair the entrance they made.
Defnyddiwyd gwarchodwr trampolîn (a ddarparwyd gan Raphaelle) fel amddiffyniad adar ar gyfer y gwely lus. Gweithiodd hyn a chawsom ddigonedd o lus. We used a trampoline guard (provided by Raphaelle) as bird protection for the blueberry patch. This did work and we got plenty of blueberries.
Rydyn ni’n cael rhai blodau godidog yn tyfu yng ngardd y goedwig yn yr Haf, ac mae pryfed a gwenyn yn eu gwerthfawrogi.
We get some stunning flowers growing at the forest garden in Summer time, which insects and bees appreciate.
Ar ein diwrnod gwirfoddoli cymunedol dydd Sadwrn rheolaidd ar yr 20fed o Fehefin, fe gynigiom daith o amgylch yr ardd i bobl nad oeddent wedi bod o’r blaen: clywed am blanhigion meddyginiaethol yn ffynnu yn yr ardd. Yn ddiweddarach roedd myfyrdod tywys yn ymwneud â phlanhigyn o’ch dewis i glywed pa fewnwelediadau sydd gan y planhigyn a sut y gallai eich helpu a’r hyn y gallai fod ei angen. Efallai y byddwch yn sylwi ar nymffau Pryfed Troedddail ar goesynnau’r Mildail.
On our regular Saturday community volunteer day on the 20th June we offered a tour of the garden for people who’ve not been before: hearing about medicinal plants doing well at the garden. Later there was a guided meditation relating with a plant of your choice to hear what insights the plant has and how it might help you and what it might need. You might notice Leaf-footed bug nymphs on Feverfew stems.
Rhaid bod mochyn daear wedi cloddio twll dwfn yn y gwely ‘sych’, gan geisio cael y pryfed a’r mêl a wneir gan y cacwn. Mae’n drueni mawr bod y gwenyn wedi colli eu cartref ac efallai bod llawer ohonyn nhw wedi marw yn y broses. A badger must have dug a deep hole in the ‘dry’ bed, trying to get the grubs and honey made by bumble bees. Such a shame the bees lost their home and perhaps lots of them died in the process.
Mae’n haf pan mae popeth yn blodeuo’n hyfryd – yn enwedig y Briweg ar y to. It’s summertime when everything is blooming beautifully – especially the Sedums on the roof.
Roedd y gweithgaredd moch daear yn ein hatgoffa i wirio’r gatiau moch daear oedd wedi’u gosod – gan olygu bod angen llawer o daro mieri a gwneud llwybrau i ddod o hyd i’r gatiau ymhlith yr isdyfiant. The badger activity reminded us to check badger gates that were installed – requiring a lot of bramble bashing and path making to find the gates amongst the undergrowth.
Wrth fod i lawr yn yr ardal honno, fe wnaethon ni sylwi bod rhai coed gerllaw ‘llwybrau’ y moch daear yn cael eu tagu gan fieri a Cwlwm y Cythraul. Mae’r rhain yn wir gihirod pan maen nhw’n tyfu gyda’i gilydd – mae fieri’n gwneud fframwaith i’r Cwlwm y Cythraul gyrraedd i fyny i’r goeden a chyfyngu twf coesynnau a changhennau. Felly roedd angen llawer mwy o waith i glirio o amgylch y coed. Being down in that area we noticed that some trees nearby the badger ‘routes’ were being strangled by brambles and bindweed. These are real thugs when they grow together – brambles make a framework for the bindweed to reach up into the tree and constrict growth of stems and branches. So lots more work was needed to clear around the trees.
Dave yn symud y llwyth o wlân a ddanfonwyd gan Ondrej a Stephanie a’r sachau o wlân wedi’u parcio fel y gallant greu gwely newydd tra’n aros i gael ei ddefnyddio fel tomwellt. Dave moving the load of wool delivered by Ondrej and Stephanie and the sacks of wool parked so that they can create a new bed whilst waiting to be used as mulch.
Mae rhywfaint o gynnyrch wedi cael ei gynaeafu – tyfodd y Garlleg Eliffant yn dda iawn tua 54 pwys – bron i dri llwyth berfa. Mae Mwyar Duon yn aeddfedu’n gyflym ac mae’n ymddangos eu bod yn ymdopi’n dda â’r amodau sychder. Some produce has been harvested – the Elephant Garlic grew really well around 54lbs – nearly three wheelbarrow loads. Blackberries are ripening fast and seem to be coping well with the drought conditions.
Fe gawson ni arwyddion newydd gan y Goedwig Genedlaethol ar gyfer Naturewise. Bydd hyn yn cael ei osod ger y tŷ crwn pan fydd y ddaear wedi dod yn llai fel concrit – bydd yn rhaid i ni aros am law sylweddol. Maen nhw wedi gwneud gwaith gwych gyda chrynodeb hyfryd o’r hyn rydyn ni’n ei wneud. We received new signage from the National Forest of Wsles for Naturewise. This will be installed near the roundhouse when the ground has become less concrete like – we will have to wait for some significant rain. They have done a magnificent job with a lovely summary of what we do.
Mae’r cwrs hwn, sy’n addas i ddechreuwyr ac yn addas i ganolradd, wedi’i gynllunio i hyfforddi dysgwyr ar sut i gwblhau’r Asesiad Cyflwr Coetiroedd (ACC) gan ddefnyddio ap newydd y Comisiwn Coedwigaeth yn y Gwanwyn/Haf. Mae hyn yn rhan o’u disgrifiad “P’un a ydych chi’n berchen ar goetir bach neu’n ei reoli, neu’n ecolegydd a fydd yn defnyddio ACCau ar gyfer mesuriadau Enillion Net Bioamrywiaeth, dylai’r cwrs hwn eich gadael chi’n teimlo’n hyderus i gynnal arolygon pan fydd coed mewn dail.”
Mynychodd Claire y cwrs rhad ac am ddim hwn ar gyfer Naturewise fel y gellir rhoi mwy o sylw i adran Coetiroedd yr Ardd Goedwig. Bydd y fethodoleg hon yn dod yn safon yng Nghymru yn y dyfodol agos.
Dyma beth ddysgodd:
This beginner to intermediate course is designed to train learners in how to complete the Woodland Condition Assessment (WCA) using the Forestry Commission’s new app in the Spring/Summer. This is part of their description “Whether you own or manage a small woodland or are an ecologist who will be using WCAs for Biodiversity Net Gain measurements, this course should leave you feeling confident to carry out surveys when trees are in leaf.”
Claire attended this free course for Naturewise so that more attention can be made to the Woodland section of the Forest Garden. This methodology will become the standard in Wales in the near future.
This is what she learned:
Cawson ni ein cnau Ffrengig cyntaf ar goeden a blannwyd chwe blynedd yn ôl ac roedd ein cynhaeaf tatws yn dda. Diddorol gweld y wahaniaetheu yn y dulliau tyfu. We had our first Walnut on a tree that was planted six years ago and our potato harvest was good. It was interesting to see the differences in the various growing methods.
Cynaeafu winwns, pys, mafon a llus, a sesiwn tynnu lluniau aeron a pherlysiau. Harvesting onions, peas, raspberries and blueberries, and a herbs & berries photoshoot
Ar gyfer: Cyfleoedd swyddi – Rôl gwirfoddoli – Cyngor gyrfaoedd – Lle croesawgar i archwilio eich opsiynau. For: Job opportunities – Volunteer roles – Career advice – A welcoming place to explore your options
Mynychodd Claire y Ffair ar ran Naturewise, er mwyn denu mwy o wirfoddolwyr. Roedd yn bwysig iawn cwrdd â sefydliadau eraill sy’n gweithio gyda phobl sydd angen gwaith ac a all ennill profiad gyda sefydliadau gwirfoddol, yn enwedig pobl ifanc sydd allan o waith neu mewn addysg arbenigol ar gyfer eu hanghenion cymorth cymhleth. Gwnaed cysylltiadau da yma.
Claire attended the Fair on behalf of Naturewise, to attract more volunteers. It was very important to meet other organisations working with people who need work and can gain experience with volunteer organisations, particularly young people out of work or in specialised education for their complex support needs. Good connections were made here.
Blodau’r Pisgwydd – y tro cyntaf maent wedi flodeuo. A te Blodau’r Pisgwydd. (Tilia cordata). Lime blossom – the first time they’ve flowered and Linden / Lime blossom tea
Wyau diddorol ar y Pisgwydden a lindys hefyd. Interesting eggs on the Lime (Tilia Cordata) and caterpillars too.
Mae hyn yn dod â ni bron yn gyfredol gyda rhywfaint o newyddion da – rhoddodd WCVA stondin i ni ar gyfer dydd Llun Awst 3ydd yn yr Eisteddfod. Roedden ni’n gobeithio hyrwyddo Naturewise bryd hynny fel y gallai pobl dod i’r Ardd Goedwig y diwrnod canlynol ar gyfer ein Diwrnod Gwirfoddoli/Mynediad Agored arferol os oedden nhw â diddordeb. This brings us nearly up to date with some good news – WCVA gave us a stand for Monday August 3rd at the Eisteddfod. We hoped to promote Naturewise then so that the very next day people could come to the Forest Garden for our normal Volunteer/ Open access Day if they were interested.
Cymerodd Stephanie (a ddaeth yn Gyfarwyddwr newydd i’r Ardd Goedwig yn ddiweddar), Claire, Raphaelle a Dawn eu tro ar y stondin am y diwrnod. Gwisgon ni ein crysau-T newydd ac roedd ein taflen newydd ar ddangos yr oedd Raph wedi gwneud gwyrthiau i’w dylunio a’i hargraffu mewn pryd. Dyma ddwy ochr y papur tair-plyg – rydyn ni’n meddwl ei fod yn wych! Stephanie (who recently became a new Director for the Forest Garden), Claire, Raphaelle and Dawn took turns being on the stand for the day. We wore our new Tshirts and had our new leaflet on display that Raph had worked miracles to get designed and printed in time. Here are the two sides of the trifold – we think it’s wonderful!
Here is a link to a pdf version of the leaflet: New Leaflet July 2026
Plenty to do at the Forest Garden this Saturday the 20th June. We’re open for our community volunteer day, 10am – 4pm.
Come and see what we’re up to, join in with what you can or come and enjoy the beautiful space. Drop in or stay all day.
Bring water and lunch if you are staying. There will be hot drinks and cake provided.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Plus: Tour of garden at 1. 30 pm for those people who’ve not been before, hear about medicinal plants doing well at the garden AND at 2.30pm a guided meditation relating with a plant of your choice. Hear what insights the plant has and how it might help you and what it might need.
Digon i’w wneud yn yr Ardd Goedwig ddydd Sadwrn yma, yr 20fed o Fehefin. Rydym ar agor ar gyfer ein diwrnod gwirfoddoli cymunedol, 10am – 4pm.
Dewch i weld beth rydym yn ei wneud, ymunwch â’r hyn y gallwch neu dewch i fwynhau’r lle hardd. Galwch heibio neu arhoswch drwy’r dydd.
Dewch â dŵr a chinio os ydych chi’n aros. Bydd diodydd poeth a chacen ar gael.
Edrychwn ymlaen at eich gweld chi yno!
Hefyd: Taith o amgylch yr ardd am 1.30pm i’r rhai nad ydynt wedi bod yno o’r blaen, clywed am blanhigion meddyginiaethol yn ffynnu yn yr ardd ac am 2.30pm myfyrdod tywysedig yn ymwneud â phlanhigyn o’ch dewis. Clywch pa fewnwelediadau sydd gan y planhigyn a sut y gallai eich helpu a’r hyn y gallai fod ei angen.
See our Volunteer Handbook on this link: Naturewise Handbook (Final)
Lorraine and Claire are running a holiday outdoor play day this half term. There will be plenty of games, fun and opportunities for: learning, crafts, camp fire and choices in 5 acres at the wonderful Naturewise forest garden. A unique venue full of trees, streams, ponds, flowers, fruit bushes, places to hide, paths, sitting spots, big vistas and good facilities: composting toilets and handwashing.
This session is not subsidised but we hope to attain a grant to offer cheaper rates for parents who would like this opportunity for their children but cannot afford this price. We have tried to keep the price reasonable.
Book your place with Lorraine: ltcox@outlook.com she will send you further information
If you want to visit the site beforehand the garden is open every Tuesday 10-4pm. You are welcome to phone Claire who runs the garden for any queries on 07732 86 1104. The garden is also used by other groups on different days so please don’t just turn up.
Lorraine and Claire have extensive experience, read on for further information.
Lorraine Cox
Forest school level 3 leader and in her early career she taught across the junior years, before moving into SEN and later being promoted to deputy in the federation (and having taught years 8/9). Most recently, she was a deputy at an all through primary school in an area of Surrey which had a very mixed catchment. Beyond curriculum and attainment, her experience largely lies with leading inclusion, pastoral provision, behaviour and safeguarding, being the Lead DSL for 10+ years.
Claire Turner
Forest school level 3 leader and ran home ed groups, Saturday clubs, after school groups and has worked with schools since 2016. She also cofounded and directs Naturewise Community Forest Garden. She was also an instructor with Coppicewood College: teaching sustainable woodland management and green wood working. She previously worked for Ceredigion People First, campaigning and rights for adults with learning difficulties. She worked as a community arts worker for 14 years.
You are invited to our celebration day where you can learn about what Naturewise does and what we have achieved. We will be showcasing achievements of the last year and the vital difference Naturewise makes. This is an important project within this area which addresses food poverty, isolation, the depreciation of nature, the promotion of biodiversity and promotes local resilience. This will be a short event with tea and networking from 1.30 (optional) Our presentation will start at 2pm, which will include a very short tour which we aim to finish by 2.45. There’ll be tea & cake afterwards and an opportunity to ask questions, look at the displays in more detail, or look around a more extensive area of the garden. RSVP please to Claire email:claire@naturewise.org.uk
Fe’ch gwahoddir i’n Diwrnod Dathlu lle gallwch ddysgu am yr hyn y mae Naturewise yn ei wneud a’r hyn yr ydym wedi’i gyflawni. Byddwn yn arddangos cyflawniadau’r flwyddyn ddiwethaf a’r gwahaniaeth hanfodol y mae Naturewise yn ei wneud. Mae hwn yn brosiect pwysig yn yr ardal hon sy’n mynd i’r afael â thlodi bwyd, unigedd, dirywiad natur, hyrwyddo bioamrywiaeth ac yn hyrwyddo gwydnwch lleol.
Bydd hwn yn ddigwyddiad byr gyda the a rhwydweithio o 1.30 (dewisol)
Bydd ein cyflwyniad yn dechrau am 2pm a fydd yn cynnwys taith fer iawn – yr ydym yn anelu at ei gorffen erbyn 2.45. Bydd te a chacen wedyn a chyfle i ofyn cwestiynau, edrych ar yr arddangosfeydd yn fanylach, neu edrych o gwmpas ardal ehangach o’r ardd goedwigol. Cadarnhewch eich presenoldeb os gwelwch yn dda email:claire@naturewise.org.uk
See posters below for details.
Tri Digwyddiad Arbennig yn y Gerddi Coedwig mewn mis Mai prysur. Gweler posteri isod am fanylion.
Another date for your diary. April 18 when we will have Seed and Cutting Swap & Cafe with Tea, Coffee and lovely cakes.
Dyddiad arall ar gyfer eich dyddiadur. 18 Ebrill pan fydd gennym Swyddfa Hadau a Torri & Caffi gyda The, Coffi a cacennau hyfryd.
Anytime between 10am and 4pm: Come and join in all or any of the activities on offer. If you want to come and work in the garden there are always plenty of gardening jobs to be done and support available from one of our volunteer coordinators.
Ar unrhyw adeg rhwng 10yb a 4yp: Dewch i ymuno â phob un neu unrhyw un o’r gweithgareddau a gynigir. Os ydych chi eisiau dod i weithio yn yr ardd, mae digon o swyddi garddio i’w gwneud bob amser a chefnogaeth ar gael gan un o’n cydlynwyr gwirfoddoli.
WORKING WITH CAVO (Ceredigion Association of Voluntary Organisations)
See: CAVO promotes & supports voluntary community action throughout Ceredigion
We recently worked with CAVO on their valuing volunteers project with the main task in mind to produce a volunteers handbook Naturewise Handbook (Final)
We have achieved that and it’s just what we needed: Everything that a volunteer needs to know. You can view this on our website or a hard copy is available in the round house. All volunteers will be required to read it. It covers things like getting to the garden, volunteer roles, fair recruitment, training and induction, support and supervision, benefits and appreciation. Thank you to Anne Marie from CAVO. They are an excellent organisation with huge experience and expertise to draw on.
Claire
GWEITHIO GYDA CAVO (Cymdeithas Sefydliadau Gwirfoddol Ceredigion)
Gweler: Mae CAVO yn hyrwyddo ac yn cefnogi gweithredu cymunedol gwirfoddol ledled Ceredigion
Yn ddiweddar, buom yn gweithio gyda CAVO ar eu prosiect Gwerthfawrogi Gwirfoddolwyr gyda’r prif dasg mewn golwg o gynhyrchu Llawlyfr Gwirfoddolwyr Naturewise Handbook (Final)
Rydym wedi cyflawni hynny a dyna’n union yr hyn yr oeddem ei angen: popeth y mae angen i wirfoddolwr ei wybod. Gallwch weld hwn ar ein gwefan neu mae copi caled ar gael yn y tŷ crwn. Bydd gofyn i bob gwirfoddolwr ei ddarllen. Mae’n ymdrin â phethau fel mynd i’r ardd, rolau gwirfoddolwyr, recriwtio teg, hyfforddiant a sefydlu, cefnogaeth a goruchwyliaeth, buddion a gwerthfawrogiad. Diolch i Anne Marie o CAVO. Maent yn sefydliad rhagorol gyda phrofiad ac arbenigedd enfawr i dynnu arno.
Claire
Mae llawer wedi digwydd yn yr Ardd Goedwig ers ein cylchlythyr diwethaf ym mis Tachwedd. Dyma arolwg o rhai o’r gweithgareddau.
A lot has happened in the Forest Garden since our last newsletter in November. Here is a review of some of the activities.
Hoffen ni ddiolch ‘Leafed Through’, y siop lyfrau gymunedol ar stryd fawr Aberteifi am roi rhodd i ni. Mae’r rhoddion hyn yn helpu i hwyluso ein gwaith. Mae’r Ecoshop yn rhoi rhodd ddwywaith y flwyddyn i ni, gan iddo gael ei sefydlu i gefnogi’r ardd goedwig. Rydym yn cyflawni bron pob un o’n tasgau gyda’r arian hwn a’r incwm bach a dderbyniwn gan grwpiau sy’n llogi’r safle i gynnal dosbarthiadau. Mae Naturewise yn gwneud mor dda, gyda grŵp gwych o wirfoddolwyr sydd wedi cynyddu o ran nifer yn ddiweddar. Maent wedi bod yn ymroi i ddatblygu a chynnal yr ardd (fel y gwelwch isod). Mae’n deimlad gwych gweld canlyniad eu cyfraniadau a gwybod ein bod ni i gyd yn cryfhau ein cysylltiadau â’r ardd, ein gilydd ac â’r gymuned. Cael pwrpas ystyrlon, gyda hwyl, te a chacen wedi’i daflu i mewn, yw’r tonig gorau ar gyfer yr amseroedd heriol hyn.
We want to thank ‘Leafed Through’, the Community book shop on the Cardigan high street for giving us a donation. These donations help to ease our work. The Ecoshop gives us two yearly donations as it was started to support the forest garden. We achieve almost all our tasks with this money and the small income we receive from groups who hire the site to run classes. Naturewise is doing so well, with a fabulous group of volunteers that have recently increased in number. They have been applying themselves to develop and maintain the garden (as you will see below). It’s a great feeling to see the result of their contributions and to know that we are all strengthening our connections to the garden, each other and to the community. To have a meaningful purpose, with fun, tea and cake thrown in, is the best tonic for these challenging times.
Gweler: Mae CAVO yn hyrwyddo ac yn cefnogi gweithredu cymunedol gwirfoddol ledled Ceredigion
Yn ddiweddar, buom yn gweithio gyda CAVO ar eu prosiect Gwerthfawrogi Gwirfoddolwyr gyda’r prif dasg mewn golwg o gynhyrchu Llawlyfr Gwirfoddolwyr (Naturewise Handbook (Final))
Rydym wedi cyflawni hynny a dyna’n union yr hyn yr oeddem ei angen: popeth y mae angen i wirfoddolwr ei wybod. Gallwch weld hwn ar ein gwefan neu mae copi caled ar gael yn y tŷ crwn. Bydd gofyn i bob gwirfoddolwr ei ddarllen. Mae’n ymdrin â phethau fel mynd i’r ardd, rolau gwirfoddolwyr, recriwtio teg, hyfforddiant a sefydlu, cefnogaeth a goruchwyliaeth, buddion a gwerthfawrogiad. Diolch i Anne Marie o CAVO. Maent yn sefydliad rhagorol gyda phrofiad ac arbenigedd enfawr i dynnu arno.
Claire
See: CAVO promotes & supports voluntary community action throughout Ceredigion
We recently worked with CAVO on their valuing volunteers project with the main task in mind to produce a volunteers handbook (See Naturewise Handbook (Final))
We have achieved that and it’s just what we needed: Everything that a volunteer needs to know. You can view this on our website or a hard copy is available in the round house. All volunteers will be required to read it. It covers things like getting to the garden, volunteer roles, fair recruitment, training and induction, support and supervision, benefits and appreciation. Thank you to Anne Marie from CAVO. They are an excellent organisation with huge experience and expertise to draw on.
Claire
Mae clirio mieri mewn gardd goedwig yn bwysig am lawer o resymau:
Atal Gordyfiant: Gall mieri gymryd drosodd a thagu planhigion eraill yn gyflym, gan arwain at golli bioamrywiaeth a gostyngiad yn yr amrywiaeth o fywyd gwyllt a gall fyw yn yr ardal.
Cynnal Cynefin Bywyd Gwyllt: Mae mieri yn darparu cynefin i wahanol rywogaethau bywyd gwyllt, gan gynnwys adar, mamaliaid a phryfed ac mae gennym lawer o leoedd lle caniateir i mieri i grwydro. Mewn rhai achosion, gall mieri dagu cynefinoedd, fel twf draenen ddu ffres sy’n bwysig ar gyfer wyau glöyn byw prin y Brithribin Brown – felly mae eu clirio yn helpu i gynnal y cynefinoedd hyn ac yn cefnogi’r ecosystemau hynny.
Gwella Mynediad a Gwelededd: Gall mieri greu dryslwyni trwchus sy’n ei gwneud hi’n anodd cyrraedd rhai ardaloedd o’r ardd neu’r goedwig. Mae eu clirio yn gwella gwelededd a mynediad, gan ganiatáu gwell rheolaeth a chynnal a chadw’r ardd.
Atal Difrod i Goed a Llwyni: Gall mieri niweidio coed a llwyni bach trwy eu cysgodi a chystadlu am faetholion. Mae eu clirio yn helpu i amddiffyn y planhigion hyn a chynnal eu hiechyd. Gwella Apêl Esthetig: Gall mieri amharu ar werth esthetig gardd neu goedwig. Gall eu clirio helpu i gynnal golwg daclus a chynaliadwy.
Clearing brambles in a forest garden is important for many reasons:
Preventing Overgrowth: Brambles can quickly take over and smother other plants, leading to a loss of biodiversity and a reduction in the variety of wildlife that can inhabit the area.
Improving Access and Visibility: Brambles can create dense thickets that make it difficult to access certain areas of the garden or forest. Clearing them improves visibility and access, allowing for better management and maintenance of the garden.
Preventing Damage to Trees and Shrubs: Brambles can damage small trees and shrubs by shading them and competing for nutrients. Clearing them helps to protect these plants and maintain their health.
Enhancing Aesthetic Appeal: Brambles can detract from the aesthetic value of a garden or forest. Clearing them can help to maintain a tidy and well-maintained appearance
Felly, drwy glirio (ac yna llosgi) y mieri gallwn sicrhau ecosystem gardd goedwig iach a chytbwys, cefnogi bywyd gwyllt, gwella mynediad a gwelededd, amddiffyn coed a llwyni a gwella apêl esthetig gyffredinol yr ardd. Yn benodol rydym wedi ‘achub’ llwyn o Goed Cyll ac wedi agor yr ardal fynedfa. Gwnaethom effaith sylweddol ar ardal fawr o dir gan ddefnyddio ein dull gwaith tîm dros yr ychydig wythnosau diwethaf, sy’n teimlo’n foddhaol iawn.
So, by clearing (and then burning) the brambles we can ensure a healthy and balanced forest garden ecosystem, support wildlife, improve access and visibility, protect trees and shrubs and enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the garden. In particular we have ‘rescued’ a Hazel Tree grove and opened up the entrance area. We made quite an impact on a large area of land using our team work approach over the last few weeks, which feels very satisfying.
Mae tocio llwyni ffrwythau meddal yn hanfodol am sawl rheswm:
Yn Annog Twf Newydd: Mae tocio yn ysgogi blagur segur ar hen bren i gynhyrchu twf newydd, sy’n dod yn bren ffrwytho nesaf.
Yn Gwella Cylchrediad Aer: Mae tynnu hen canghennau, anghynhyrchiol yn gwella cylchrediad aer, sy’n hanfodol ar gyfer iechyd y planhigyn.
Yn Cynorthwyo i Gasglu Ffrwythau: Mae tocio yn gwneud casglu ffrwythau’n haws trwy dynnu canghennau sy’n rhy agos at y ffrwyth.
Yn Atal Clefydau: Mae tocio yn helpu i reoli clefydau trwy dynnu pren marw, heintiedig, neu wedi’i ddifrodi.
Yn Cynnal Cydbwysedd: Mae tocio yn helpu i gynnal y cydbwysedd rhwng pren a ffrwythau, gan sicrhau y gall y planhigyn gynhyrchu cnwd gwych flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn.
Yn Lluosogi Planhigion: Gellir defnyddio’r toriadau wedi’u tocio i greu llwyni ffrwythau newydd mewn gwelyau newydd rydyn ni’n eu creu.
Pruning soft fruit bushes is essential for several reasons:
Encourages New Growth: Pruning stimulates dormant buds on old wood to produce new growth, which becomes the next fruiting wood. Improves Air Circulation: Removing old, unproductive branches improves air circulation, which is vital for the health of the plant.
Aids in Fruit Picking: Pruning makes fruit picking easier by removing branches that are too close to the fruit.
Prevents Disease: Pruning helps control diseases by removing dead, diseased, or damaged wood.
Maintains Balance: Pruning helps maintain the balance between wood and fruit, ensuring the plant can produce a great crop year after year.
Propagates Plants: The pruned cuttings can be used to create new fruit bushes in new beds that we create.
Hyd yn hyn rydym wedi canolbwyntio ar Gyrens Duon ac Eirin Mair (gwsberis). Mae llawer mwy o lwyni i’w gwneud. Dewch draw os ydych chi eisiau helpu a dysgu’r ffordd benodol o docio ar gyfer y gwahanol lwyni ffrwythau sydd gennym.
So far we have concentrated on Blackcurrants and Gooseberries. There are many more bushes to do. Please come along if you want to help and learn the particular way to prune for the various fruit bushes we have.
Mae angen cynnal a chadw ar cloddiau marw o amgylch ein pyllau oherwydd bod y deunyddiau a ddefnyddir yn pydri dros amser. Wrth i’r pren ddadelfennu, mae’n rhyddhau maetholion i’r pridd, a all wella ffrwythlondeb y pridd a chefnogi twf planhigion. Fodd bynnag, bydd strwythur y gwrych yn newid yn raddol wrth i’r deunydd torri lawr, gan olygu bod angen cynnal a chadw parhaus i’w gadw’n sefydlog ac yn effeithiol. Mae hyn yn cynnwys ychwanegu mwy o bren marw bob blwyddyn i gynnal ei uchder a sicrhau ei fod yn parhau i fod yn rhwystr naturiol. Mae cynnal a chadw rheolaidd hefyd yn helpu i gadw’r clawdd yn daclus (ac yn rhydd o falurion, a all ddenu plâu) a thynnu oddi ar ei apêl esthetig. Mewn rhai achosion lle mae coed yn tyfu mewn lle cyfleus yna gellir eu ‘plygu’ i wella’r clawdd. Rydym wedi defnyddio twf Helyg ar gyfer hyn mewn ychydig o leoedd a bydd angen eu tocio yn y dyfodol – math gwahanol o gynnal a chadw.
Dead hedges around our ponds require maintenance because the materials used decompose over time. As the wood breaks down, it releases nutrients into the soil, which can enhance soil fertility and support plant growth. However, the structure of the hedge will gradually change as the material decomposes, requiring ongoing maintenance to keep it stable and effective. This includes adding more dead wood each year to maintain its height and ensuring it remains a natural barrier. Regular maintenance also helps to keep the hedge tidy and free of debris, aesthetic appeal. In some cases where trees are growing in an opportune place then they can be ‘layed’ to enhance the hedge. We have used Willow growth for this in a few places and they will require trimming in the future – a different form of maintenance.
Yn bennaf rydym yn defnyddio helyg wedi’i dorri’n ôl ar gyfer ein cloddiau marw. We use mostly cut back willow for our dead hedging.
Dysgodd y gwirfoddolwyr sut i plygu penclawdd o amgylch rhan o’r prif pwll. Volunteers learned how to lay hedges around some of the main pond
Roedd angen ailosod gorchuddion un o ddrysau’r sied cardbord. Roedd angen trwsio’r toiled compost i atal glaw rhag chwythu o dan y drws ac roedd angen addasu’r bibell i lawr i atal dail rhag mynd i mewn i’r tanc dŵr. Roedd angen trwsio handlen un o’r llifiau mawr…
The coverings of one of the cardboard store doors needed replacing. The compost loo needed a fix to stop rain from blowing under the door and the down pipe needed adjustments to stop leaves getting in the water tank. One of the large saws needed its handle fixing…
Wow i’n tîm ni, sy’n ymddangos yn mynd ati i ofalu am yr holl fathau o dasgau sydd gan yr ardd!
Weithiau mae Natur yn dod â’i heriau ei hun. Mae’r glaw a’r gwyntoedd cryfion wedi effeithio arnom ni eto ac fe chwythwyd y goeden afalau surion bach hyfryd wrth y fynedfa i lawr ar ffens ac felly roedd angen ei chlirio a thrwsio’r ffens.
Wow to our team, who seem to get on with looking after the many kinds of tasks that the garden has!
Sometimes Nature brings its challenges. The rain and high winds have affected us again and the lovely Crab apple tree by the entrance was blown down onto a fence and so needed to be cleared and the fence repaired.
Tynnu Tape o Gardbord / Stripping Tape from Cardboard:
Hogi offer / Sharpening tools:
Creu Arddangosfa Ffotograffiaeth ar gyfer gweithgareddau 2025 / Creating a Photography Showcase of 2025 activities:
Twtio a thacluso’r silffoedd a pethau sy’n hongian / Tidying Shelves and Hangings:
Creu labelau i’r gewliau a mewnbynnu data pwysau cynnyrch i daenlenni / Creating Labels for Beds and Entering Produce Weight Data into Spreadsheets:
Gyda hyn i gyd yn digwydd, dydyn ni byth yn anghofio cymryd ein hamser i gysylltu â natur a gwerthfawrogi’r harddwch o’n cwmpas.
With all this going on we never forget to take our time to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty all around us.
Ar un o’n diwrnodau gwirfoddoli rheolaidd ddydd Mawrth, fe wnaethon ni gynnal gweithdy gwneud eich Seidr Tân eich hun.
Mae seidr tân yn donig llysieuol sy’n dyddio’n ôl i draddodiadau meddygaeth werin. Mae’n cyfuno finegr seidr afal â chynhwysion sydd â phriodweddau cynnes, llym, a chefnogol i’r system imiwnedd. Fe’i defnyddir yn aml fel tonig lles dyddiol neu ar ddechrau annwyd a symptomau tebyg i ffliw.
Cynhwysion:
On one of our regular Tuesday volunteer days we ran a make your own Fire Cider workshop.
Fire cider is a herbal tonic that dates back to folk medicine traditions. It combines apple cider vinegar with ingredients that have warming, pungent, and immune-supportive properties. It is often used as a daily wellness tonic or at the onset of colds and flu-like symptoms.
Ingredients
Potelodd Raphaelle y finegr llysieuol ar ôl chwe wythnos o aeddfedu’r cymysgedd – Gwerthwyd rhai yn y Siop Eco a derbyniodd ein Gwirfoddolwyr botel am ddim.
Raphaelle bottled the herbal vinegar after six weeks of maturing the mixture – Some were sold at the Eco Shop and our Volunteers received a bottle free of charge.
Gosododd Claire a Raphaelle Droell gyda chymorth nifer o wirfoddolwyr ac ychwanegasant ganhwyllau a dymuniadau gorau at y llwybr i’w gerdded. Daeth llawer o ymwelwyr i ddathlu a bod ar y tir ar gyfer y lleuad dywyll hon a’r amser tywyllaf o’r flwyddyn. Cawsom gynhesrwydd o rannu a chymryd ychydig o amser i anadlu a gollwng gafael, i orffwys: Gorffwys gyda’n gilydd o dan oleuadau disglair y tŷ crwn. Llawer o ddiolch a diolchgarwch a rhannu caneuon.
Roedd cerdded y droell wedi’i goleuo gan ganhwyllion yn ddigwyddiad arbennig. Cawsom amser i fyfyrio ar ba hadau ar gyfer y dyfodol yr oeddem angen eu plannu ac yna cerddom i mewn i’r droell golau – gan gydnabod hyn yn araf, y diwrnod tywyllaf byrraf a’r foment y mae’r golau’n dechrau tyfu eto. Gyda egni’r blwyddyn newydd, mae bobl ifanc y Lighthouse wedi mwynhau hefyd gan rhedeg rownd y droell.
Claire and Raphaelle set-up a Spiral with help from several volunteers and added candles and best wishes to the path to be trod. Lots of visitors came to celebrate and be on the land for this dark moon and darkest time of year. We had warmth from sharing and taking a little time to breathe and let go, to rest: Resting together under the sparkly lights of the round house. Lots of thanks and gratitude and sharing of songs.
Walking the candle lit spiral was a special event. We had time to reflect on what seeds for the future we needed to plant and then we walked into the light spiral – slowly acknowledging this, the darkest shortest day and the moment the light begins to grow again. With the energy of the new year, the young people of the Lighthouse have also enjoyed running around the spiral.
Ar un o’n diwrnodau gwirfoddoli rheolaidd ddydd Mawrth arall, fe wnaethon ni goginio crempogau i ginio i’n holl wirfoddolwyr.
On another one of our regular Tuesday volunteer days we cooked pancakes for lunch for all our volunteers.
Gwledd mor flasus gyda llenwadau amrywiol gan gynnwys menyn afal wedi’i wneud gan Raphaelle.
Such a tasty treat with various fillings including Apple butter made by Raphaelle.
Mae Martin Hayes yn athro nodedig sydd â phrofiad helaeth o docio coed ffrwythau. Dysgodd y cyfranogwyr hanfodion tocio, y rhesymau y tu ôl iddo, a’r amseriad ar gyfer tocio. Fe wnaethon ni ennill profiad mewn:
Canmolodd y cyfranogwyr ddyfnder gwybodaeth Martin a natur ddiddorol y sesiynau.
Diolch i’r cyfranogwyr a ddaeth â chacen flasus i’w rhannu a’r rhai a roddodd rodd.
Martin Hayes is a distinguished teacher with extensive experience in pruning fruit trees. Participants learned the basics of pruning, the reasons behind it, and the timing for pruning. We gained experience in:
Thanks to the participants who brought delicious cake to share and those who made a donation.
Mawrth Dysgwch am docio nawr! Dros yr ychydig wythnosau nesaf, dysgwch sut i docio: afalau, gellyg, cyrens duon, cyrens gwynion ar ddydd Mawrth.
Mawrth Byddwn yn plannu hadau ar gyfer y gwelyau llysiau
7 Ebrill (Ein Digwyddiad Pasg) Brechdan wy wedi’i ffrio a lliwio wyau naturiol
18 Ebrill Cyfnewid Hadau (wedi’i ohirio o fis Mawrth): dewch â phlanhigion a hadau i’w cyfnewid. Te, coffi a chacen ar gael am rodd.
19 Mai ‘Gwerthfawrogi ein cyflawniadau’. Diwrnod o rannu: Dysgwch fwy am yr ardd gyda taith, gan arddangos planhigion penodol, planhigion meddyginiaethol, tynnu sylw at y fioamrywiaeth, rhannu ein cyflawniadau, ein gwerth cymdeithasol – darganfyddwch beth mae gwirfoddolwyr yn ei gael o ddod i Naturewise a chyflwyniad tystysgrifau.
Gyda mannau adborth a choeden syniadau. Llawer o fyrbrydau, te, coffi a chacen fel arfer.
March Learn about pruning now! Over the next few weeks on a Tuesdays learn how to prune: apples, pears, black currants, white currants.
March We will be planting seeds for the veg beds
April 7th (Our Easter Event) Fried egg sandwich and Natural egg dyeing
April 18th Seed Swap (deferred from March): bring plants and seeds to swap. Tea, Coffee and cake available for a donation.
May 19th ‘Valuing our achievements’. A day of sharing: Find out more about the garden with a tour, showcasing particular plants, medicinal plants, highlighting the biodiversity, sharing our achievements, our social value- find out what volunteers get from coming to Naturewise and a presentation of certificates.
With a Feedback area and an ideas tree. Lots of snacks, tea, coffee and cake as usual.
West Wales permaculture: Forest Garden, Eco Shop, Green guides, Forest schools and much more.