This month saw the completion of the Tir Coed programme of works to enhance public access to our Gallt y Tlodion/Poor Mans Wood nature reserve near Llandovery, Carmarthenshire.

Over the last two years, teams of young people under supervision from a Tir Coed instructor have learned new skills whilst creating amazing new infrastructure for visitors. Last year we reported on the brilliant new shelter and wildlife hide the team had built, using primarily oak from the nature reserve itself.

Poor Mans Wood Branching Out open day by L Wilberforce

This year’s programme has seen the team, led by experienced wood craftsman Jamie Miller, create four bridges to cross the wet flushes that interrupt the footpath network, complete with beautifully carved handrails, as well as a new entrance gate and arch, and benches to assist the weary walker on some of the reserve’s steeper paths. They have also installed a new welcome sign at the reserve entrance which will help visitors find the nature reserve from the main road.

On 29 October, Tir Coed arranged a day of celebration of the team’s achievements, and around 35 people including funders, local people and friends and family of the young team attended to admire the project’s successes.

Tir Coed Project Manager, Becky Hulme, remarked "The work that 14 young people have voluntarily put into this reserve is fantastic! They have spent over 1,000 hours creating these splendid structures for visitors; we hope that the new entrance sign will help to attract more visitors, both locals and tourists, to this hidden gem of a site."

WTSWW is very grateful to Tir Coed and all the participants for all their incredible efforts and for making the reserve even more special to visit.

The project was funded by Communities and Nature (CAN) CAN is a strategic project, developed and managed by CCW, and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.