Reedbed Creation

 Work has now started on the creation of a new 2 hectare reedbed site within Garn Lakes Local Nature Reserve. Reedbed habitat is both locally and nationally scarce, however it is amongst the most important habitats for birds in the UK and also provides a home for a range of other wildlife. It is hoped that this exciting project will encourage more wildlife to make its home in the World Heritage Site.

So far machinery has been used to  prepare the site for planting and to create ditches and ponds. The next stage involves staff and volunteers and donning their wellies to plant 11,000 reeds at the site. This is only stage 1 – a further 13,000 reeds will be planted in the summer to complete the job. For more information on this and other volunteering opportunities please contact Volunteer Co-ordinator Sarah Lewis on 01495 742335 or sarah.lewis@torfaen.gov.uk.

Routes & Roots Festival

Thank you to everyone who attended Wednesday's Routes and Roots Festival meeting in Gilwern. The Festival, planned to take place May 15th - July 3rd 2011, aims to celebrate the shared heritage of the villages of Gilwern, Govilon and Llanfoist, which are connected by the canal. While at the same time promoting recreation on the historic routes of the area which now act as a network of footpaths and cycleways.


The evening meeting at Gilwen brought together representatives from interested groups to develop event ideas for the programme. Thanks to the input of all who attended an exciting range of events are being planned ranging from wildlife watches and geology walks to cycling and boating activities to a school jamboree. The established 'In the pink' charity walk and Llanfoist Open Gardens will also form part of the festival programme.

For more information on the festival please visit http://www.forgottenlandscapes.org.uk/, or contact ceri.cadwallader@torfaen.gov.uk.

Launch of Educational Resources

11 primary teachers attended the recent launch the brand new educational resource pack produced by the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, in conjunction with the Forgotten Landscapes Project and Keep Wales Tidy. The pack consists of lesson plans, worksheets, presentations and supporting material for 12 lessons. The activities cover the history of Blaenavon World Heritage Site in the 19th century and its connection with the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. The full resource will be available to all teachers soon via the National Grid for Learning website. More information to follow!