Beaufort Hill Ponds & Woodlands
News & Events 2013
FEBRUARY 2013 - APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT IN LITTLE LANE.
An application has been submitted to build a dwelling in the field to the left of Little Lane - shown in the foreground of the photograph. It would be builton undermined land and on the feeder stream to the ponds.
A planning meeting that will include the application for Little Lane will be held on Thursday 7th March 2013 in the Civic Centre's Council Chamber at 2.00pm.
Those against the application will be allowed someone to speak from the public gallery to outline their reasons for opposing it.
There is a strong feeling against this application in a site that has been designated Local Nature Reserve status, and has become a huge attraction for many people.
PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT US IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THIS DEVELOPMENT.
AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS, THE APPLICATION WAS FINALLY REJECTED ON JUNE 6th 2013,
BUT ON AUGUST 17th WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE APPLICANT HAS APPEALED AGAINST THE DECISION.
THEN ON 11th DECEMBER 2013 - WE WERE INFORMED BY PLANNING, THAT THE APPEAL WAS DISMISSED,AND THAT THEY WOULDN'T ACCEPT ANY FURTHER APPLICATIONS FOR TWO YEARS - GOOD NEWS FOR ALL MEMBERS AND VISITORS, AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN CONTINUE TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PONDS & WOODLANDS, LIKE THOSE ON THE LEFT, WITHOUT ANY FURTHER BUILDING !!
NATIONAL RESOURCES WALES.
MAY 2013 - DAMAGE TO WALL OF DRAGONFLY GATE.
At the end of April, we received a report that the wall at the Dragonfly Gate Entrance had been badly damaged ( Photo below left), Chris Engel who is the Regeneration Projects Manager of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, arranged to get the damage repaired, and the contractor carried out the repairs to the wall on Friday 31st May, but the following day, somebody had removed the coping stones before the cement had set. (Photo below middle)
Chris was again contacted, and at very short notice, the stones were replaced, and the wall was again as good as new. Photo below right)
The Society would like to thank Chris Engel and the contractor for their prompt response in restoring the wall to its' former glory.
The Contractor
Frances Walters, Llanerch House, Trinant, Crumlin, Gwent NP11 3BB
SATURDAY 27th JULY 2013 - WOODLAND COMMUNITY FUNDAY.
The event was organised by Roy Lynch and John Hillier, and with the help of several fellow Society Directors, a very successful 'Fun Day' was enjoyed by children and adults alike.
The event included woodland arts and crafts such as bird and bat box making, willow hurdle making,wood turning, guided photography walks and talks along the trails. An excellent free picnic was provided for all the visitors and volunteers.
The society also gained twenty three new members, and even the sun shone almost until the end of the event, before the rain arrived.
We would like to thank the following people who made this such an enjoyable day, we are sure it will be repeated.
Thom Board from Keep Wales Tidy,who gave up a day of his holidays to attend, to demonstrate wood turning, several of the children were invited to try out this skill.
John Lewis for bringing along the bird and bat boxes and the children were able to build their own boxes under John's supervision. He was ably assisted in this, by Eric and Robert Smith. Thanks also to Richard Barrett from Keep Wales Tidy for supplying the extra boxes.
John and Marilyn James, who are local residents and society members, for displaying examples of John's woodcarving skills.
Roy Lynch and Des Markey for demonstrating the skill of building willow hurdles.
Nadine Morgan, who is the Biodiversity Project Officer for BGCBC, assisted by volunteer Emma, led a Nature Walk around part of the site where the children could identify some of the plants, birds, butterflies etc.
Amanda Smith of 'Masquerade', who is also a local resident and society member, for demonstrating her award winnning face painting and balloon modelling skills on the many volunteers. Please follow the link below, to visit the Masquerade website.
Last, but not least - thanks to Roy and John for their hard work in organising such an enjoyable day.