Now and Then…
It looks awful at the moment but we hope that time and NRW will one day return our mountainside to its former glory.
Both photos above were taken from virtually the same spot, but about two years apart. This route up to Twmbarlwm used to be my favourite, it was beautifully atmospheric to walk through the avenue of tall trees and emerge onto the common below the tump before climbing to the top. We always knew this landscape was going to change one day because, after all, the trees were a “crop” planted back in the day when the wood was needed as pit props for the coal industry. Despite the demise of mining, the market for timber was still a profitable one and the larch forests of south Wales are now seen as an integral part of our landscape. But nobody foresaw the threat of Phytophthora Ramorum, a disease that affects larch trees and has infected over six million trees in Wales. Since the disease was first identified in Wales in 2010, more than PleaSe make a note that Good Friday this year falls on 25th march – as I’m sure you wouldn’t want to miss “The Hot Cross Bun Walk” – that’s when, according to local tradition, people from miles around come to walk up the mountain like pilgrims used to do centuries ago. there will be organised walks leaving from the Stoney Bridge, Pontymister; Cwmcarn Visitor Centre and Greenmeadow Farm, Cwmbran. But most people like to make their own way up the tump by their preferred route just like generations have done before them. We’ll be happy to see you however you get there – it’s always a great family day out and the society distributes hot cross buns to everyone who makes the climb.
6,000 hectares (14,500 acres) of woodland have become infected, a large proportion of which is in the forests around twmbarlwm. to combat the disease natural Resources Wales, who manage the forests, has begun one of the largest felling operations ever mounted in Wales – thus changing the scenery around us, probably for generations to come. When the news first broke of the operation and subsequent closure of the popular Cwmcarn Forest Drive, many locals joined the campaign to keep the drive open and ensure the work of nRW is done sympathetically – thus Friends of Cwmcarn Forest Drive was born. there was standing room only at Cwmcarn Workingmen’s Club when the group had its official launch in January at a public meeting, that was attended by many local politicians, nRW officials and representatives of supporting groups such as CtS. the nRW personnel were quizzed vigorously and gave assurances of their commitment to listen to the wishes of the local community, through FoCFD, and most politicians pledged their support too. I have no doubt that FoCFD, with the support of CtS and local people will ensure that the “powers-that-be” will stick to their promises and we will see our beloved mountainside returned to its former glory to be enjoyed for generations to come. For more info on the Friends of Cwmcarn Forest Drive go to their Facebook page at http://bit.ly/FoCwmcarnFD Terry Evans (Chair Cymdeithas Twmbarlwm Society)
CTS meet at the car park for a litter pick and volunteer workday on the last Sunday of every month to which everyone is invited, it’s not all hard work and it’s a great opportunity to find your way around up there. We organise walks and other events up the mountain throughout the year so watch our website and Facebook page for details – come and join us some time.
www.twmbarlwm.co.uk 24
swdirectories.com
February 2016