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Following on from the previous post, I’m including below the list of questions which meadow owners or managers might like to consider answering, if they’d like their meadow to feature in the gallery section of the Carmarthenshire Meadows Group site. … Continue reading
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A really interesting and well attended meeting took place at the Pontarcothi hall last Saturday, October 24 th. Isabel had arranged 4 excellent speakers : Firstly Stephanie Tyler gave a fascinating review of the 10 years or so work of … Continue reading
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Just a brief post to remind everyone about the upcoming Meadow Group meeting this coming Saturday. Do come if you can. Carmarthenshire Meadows Group Meeting … Continue reading
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Over 20 interested members braved late August’s blustery, cool and occasionally showery weather to share a walk around Ruth Watkins’ beautiful upland 70 acre holding near the base of the Black Mountain. Ruth has lived there for about 15 years, … Continue reading
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Very many thanks to Andrew and Helen Martin for this great insight into how they’re tackling the important issue of small scale hay making on their small holding near Dryslwyn : Our small (c. 1 acre) meadow is only in … Continue reading
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I last wrote a post here over 7 weeks ago beginning with the words ” As the rain falls, and we scan the forecasts for suitable weather for another opportunity for some very small scale manual hay making …”. As most … Continue reading
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As the rain falls, and we scan the forecasts for suitable weather for another opportunity for some very small scale manual hay making, I thought I’d bring to readers’ attention the Save Our Magnificent Meadows Project (SOMMP), which I only … Continue reading
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Just a brief mention that next Sunday, June 28th, at the National Botanic Garden of Wales (NBGW), the third annual Wales Wildflower day will be hosted. By way of a sneak preview we were fortunate to be able to visit this … Continue reading
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As we’ve maybe reached the zenith of the meadows’ year when they really start to zing with flowers, I’ve come up with a new word. Actually I’m not responsible, but rather a dear friend who sent me a birthday … Continue reading
OPEN FARM SUNDAY EVENT – this would be well worth attending. Ruth Watkins is an excellent naturalist who has been managing her meadows for wildlife for may years. I’m sure this will be an exemplary site and Ruth is very knowledgeable.
Pengraig goch
Llanddeusant, Llangadog,
Carmarthenshire
Postcode: SA19 9TH
Email: ruthwatkins@supanet.com
Telephone: 01550 740660
Time of event: 11am to 4 pm
Date of event: Sunday 7th June
Event highlights: Hosted farm tour; Self guided walks
Event Description: 2 farm walks, one at an easy level and one that is quite difficult as the ground is uneven and boggy. They will both show visitors the types of field on a traditional Welsh upland farm. I plan to have guided walks, or you can follow signs and map for an unguided walk.
The traditional farm had fields that were either ‘dry’ or ‘wet’- the ‘wet’ fields are marshy grassland, wet heath and fen meadow. There used to be an arable acre but this is now part of a ‘dry’ field. The wet fields that remain are a tiny remnant of what used to exist in this landscape, with their biodiverse native flora and those on my farm are now an SSSI.
June 7th is quite early in the season for these upland wet pastures that produce a sequence of flowering plants all summer long. But there will be flowers out such as Heath Spotted Orchids and Meadow thistle.
There are several ponds in the Gwaun Pwll field where children can do supervised pond dipping.
Entrance and parking will be free. There will be tea and biscuits available. I will provide a sheet with a map of the walks and an outline of management of the fields and a list of the flowers that you can find. You are welcome to take photographs. But please do not bring your dog.
There is no need to book but if you would like to email me to confirm directions please do: ruthwatkins@supanet.com
The farm is situated in the Western end of the Brecon Beacons National Park, about 5 miles south of Llangadog and 1 mile off the road to Brynaman the A4069.
Carmarthenshire Meadows Group - Grŵp Dolydd Sir Gaerfyrddin 