Simply springtime - The Royal Oak Foundation
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News and events for spring 2019
Wales
Simply
springtime
Spring is a time for venturing outdoors to discover
wonderful sights, sounds and scents at our special
places throughout Wales.
All of our properties are bursting back Call at Erddig, to step into one of the
into life and action. best meadowlands in Wales. Head
Gardener, Glyn Smith monitors the
There is an abundance of wildlife to number of common spotted-
explore, Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts for orchids that grow in this Check out
the family and Mother’s Day treats to wonderful, wild space. He said: inside for all
enjoy, while appreciating our heritage, “The record year saw 2,800 the best of the
land and coastline. common-spotted orchids but National Trust
heavy winter snows can bring in Wales
this down to 400, like last year.”
You can find out about our latest
garden projects too. At Bodnant
Garden, take a walk with John Rippin,
Head Gardener on 13 March, to enjoy
the early camellias, magnolias and
rhododendrons. And birdlovers can celebrate World wonderful creatures eggs belong to on our
Wetlands Day with our rangers on Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt.
At Powis Castle, see dozens of Saturday, 2 February in Gower, studying
magnolia, plus delicate fritillaries, waders at our spectacular wetland at As the mornings get lighter in late
primroses, and Narcissus Whiteford. spring, it’s the perfect time to
Pseudonarcissus, the famous Welsh experience the sublime, harmonious
daffodil, as the stunning Wisteria Grab your muddy boots from 13 to tweets of the dawn chorus. And you can
Floribunda drapes its beautiful long 28 April, for family fun and adventure celebrate International Dawn Chorus
strands of pea-like flowers over the at Dyffryn Gardens on a Plant Hunter Day on Sunday, 5 May at Marloes Mere,
Aviary Terrace. This spring vision has expedition this Easter. Collect lots of Pembrokeshire, from 5.30am before
charmed visitors for over 300 years. different species of plants to complete breakfast at Runwayskiln café, or be
your mission. an early bird at Southgate, Pennard, in
Touch golden daffodils and breathe in Gower from 5.10am.
new blooms on Chirk Castle’s Spring Visit Tredegar House from 18 to
Sensations Trail, from 30 March to 22 April, to watch spring awaken and rustle Come and celebrate spring at one
28 April. through new shoots, to discover which of our special places.
For more ideas or further information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wales
Plenty to see and do. Go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wales or follow us on NT Wales @NTWales and @YGCymru @NTWales Spring 2019 1
A word from
our Director The lesser of two weevils
We’re introducing non-native ‘predators’ to save our pond life
I’ve always been
passionate about
increasing the
relevance of the
National Trust to
as many people as
possible.
For me, that means
making everyone
welcome, through
improving accessibility and opportunities to
visit our places. It means drawing in more
people to involve them in what we look after
and showing that we have something to offer
to everyone, not just appealing to those who
already know how their lives can be enriched by
our places.
In doing this we can show that we are an
essential part of the whole nation, and not just
appealing to a part of the nation.
That doesn’t mean we stop doing what we have
done so well for such a long time, or lessen our
We're protecting our beautiful crystal-clear The invasive plant, Azolla, can create a thick
commitment to looking after things for ever for
waters at Dinefwr which, in turn, helps its blanket of vegetation that blocks out sunlight,
everyone.
native biodiversity to survive and thrive starving the native species below of oxygen
But in an uncertain world I feel our
commitments have to mean that we utilise
our spaces and places to offer more for more Springtime is usually a season of new life and exploration for Dinefwr Park, but an Whilst the ponds at Dinefwr are under
people. invasive pond plant is threatening biodiversity of the waterways at the parkland National treatment, we have replaced our popular
Nature Reserve. pond-dipping kits with alternative family
I was exceptionally heartened by recent
activities including our top five outdoor
statements from our new Director General,
A water fern (Azolla Filiculodies) originally We avoid using chemicals in the park and to adventures: birdwatching, track a wild
Hilary McGrady, where she said she wanted us
found on the American continent has spread control through mechanical means could animal, explore inside a tree, hold a scary
to be on the front foot in putting people first.
rapidly across the British Isles in recent years, result in the plant spreading further as the beast and build a den.
Wealth is not always about riches in the Carmarthenshire seeming to be a new hot spot. weed matt is broken up and dispersed.
traditional sense; it is also about wealth of
space through access to places and experiences Spread mainly by spore dispersal and by As a preferred, biological means of control
at places – something the founders of the wildfowl travelling between ponds, the we’ll be treating the Azolla using the novel
National Trust fundamentally recognised. Azolla is a definite cause for concern for the approach of introducing a plant-specific
conservation team at Dinefwr. predator called the North American Weevil
And I believe that our part in tackling society’s
(Stenopelmus Refinasus).
many challenges, in a way that is appropriate
If the Azolla gets a good grip on a waterway or
for us, is through having our arms wide open in
pond it will form floating matts of vegetation This little insect only eats this particular
making everyone welcome at our places.
that can grow to up to 30cm thick. This can type of water fern and will do so until it
Of course that will mean different things to cut off the sunlight to the pond beneath and has disappeared. We hope to see a big Build a den
different sections of society, but we are a big suffocate our native species and wildlife. difference by the end of the year.
enough and experienced enough charity to find
a welcome that sits comfortably with all who
want to walk, talk and share a sense of wonder
with us.
This coming year will, I’m sure, see more
people visiting our places, and more people
£36,000 raised to save our White Park Cattle
and partners working with us in Wales. That
challenges us to make the idea of ‘everyone Our ambitious three-year campaign to It will also help us to sustain the flowering
welcome’ increasingly relevant to more people, safeguard the ancient herd of White Park hay meadows at Dinefwr and to maintain
and in accepting that challenge I believe we Cattle at Dinefwr has helped us to raise an important links to Welsh history.
can genuinely enrich and improve the spiritual astonishing £36,000 for the iconic herd.
wealth of our nation. The Dinefwr herd of White Park Cattle
Our #SaveTheHerd fundraising campaign was has grazed the land at Dinefwr for over a
set up to protect these magnificent and rare thousand years and has become a much-
animals at Dinefwr. loved icon of the property.
Justin Albert, Director for Wales
Get involved supporters’ groups near you
ABERTAWE CENTRE ERYRI ASSOCIATION GWENT ASSOCIATION VALE OF GLAMORGAN ASSOCIATION
Roger Knight Ann Davies Rita Edwards Hywel Jenkins
01792 401019 01248 722696 gwentnationaltrustassociation@gmail.com vofgant@gmail.com
roger.knight689@gmail.com alpha31@tiscali.co.uk
MEIRIONNYDD ASSOCIATION WREXHAM ASSOCIATION
CEREDIGION ASSOCIATION FRIENDS OF ABERDULAIS Richard Withers Mr Selwyn Jones
Gillian Manton c/o National Trust, Aberdulais, Near Neath, mail@richardwithers.co.uk 01978 841545
01970 627943 Neath & Port Talbot SA10 8EU selwyn_jones@btinternet.com
llyswen25@btinternet.com MENAI ASSOCIATION
FRIENDS OF DYFFRYN GARDENS Mrs Anne Wilkes
CHIRKLANDS ASSOCIATION Clare Williamsonn annewilkes007@btinternet.com
Lillie Hayward clarewilliamsonn@sky.com
01691 777753 PEMBROKESHIRE ASSOCIATION www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
10 Ceiriog Close, Chirk, Wrexham, LL14 5SB FRIENDS OF TREDEGAR HOUSE Sheila Ashton
Annie Parker 01437 731525 / 07817 407 566 supportergroups
DYFFRYN CLWYD ASSOCIATION annie.caerleon@gmail.com robashton95@yahoo.co.uk
Zara Fleming
zf@eyarth.co.uk
For alternative formats: 01633 811659 or email wa.customerenquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk
©National Trust 2019. Registered charity no. 205846. Images: ©National Trust Images / Mike Richards, Chris Lacey, James Dobson, John Miller, James Dobson, John Miller, Polly Thomas
Printed on 60% recycled paper. Please recycle after use. Designed by W O Jones, Llangefni. Printed by Wyndeham Group
2 Spring 2019 Plenty to see and do. Go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wales or follow us on NT Wales @NTWales and @YGCymru @NTWales
On your doorstep South-West
Wales
New canopy to connect
to wildlife corridors
The Dolaucothi Estate is ready to be replanted with a native broad leaf canopy, following a successful
campaign to recruit countryside volunteers.
After felling a large area of Larch to begin replanting the area with sustainable populations and to
woodland to prevent the spread of locally native, broadleaf trees and create new ones too.”
a tree disease in 2017, the estate fruiting shrubs.
can now begin creating more You can step out into the woodland
wildlife-rich habitat in our corner of “Eventually the woodland will be part and see all of the improvements
Carmarthenshire. of a joined up network of wildlife- for yourself.
friendly corridors on the estate.
Ranger Carol Bailey said: “Our Visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
next steps will be to work with “This connectivity will give species dolaucothi-gold-mines
our volunteers and other partners the chance to establish larger, more
Power to the
people in 2019
You’re invited to share your precious memories of close partners
in your life in our memory jar, as part of our Partnerships of Power
exhibition at Llanerchaeron Estate.
Partnerships of Power, from 16 March to 3 November, follows 2018’s
Tudor slumbers
successful Petticoats of Power exhibition, to further deepen and expand Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite, is a rhyme that we’ve all heard Are you brave enough to snooze
stories we’re telling about the estate's residents. or used but have you ever wondered where the historic phrase comes like a servant or would you prefer
from or what it actually means? to rest like a merchant?
Come along and help us to produce a ‘Partnership’ quilt, to visually bring
your local stories alive, in a shared creation to treasure. This year at the Tudor Merchant’s townhouse will tell the story of Head to the top floor to discover
House in Tenby, we’ll be answering the merchant’s family and how wealthy residents and guests
Llanerchaeron remains an integral part of our drive to focus on the those questions as we embark on servants. enjoyed four-poster bed luxury and
people who make our places special and the experts who put our a slumber adventure and reveal a very superstitious routine.
collections together. how our predecessors would have Smell Tudor supper in the kitchen,
slept. gather herbs from the garden ‘Don’t let the bed bugs bite’ runs
Follow a new trail and hear how marriages, friendships and work and help us create the ultimate from Saturday, 13 April to Sunday,
relationships stood the test of time. From their nightly rituals, to the recipe to a good night’s 3 November. Visit: nationaltrust.
origins of sleeping tight, our sleep. org.uk/pembrokeshire
What’s on 29 May, 8.30pm-10pm
Twilight walk
Stackpole Tudor Merchant’s House Dolaucothi Gold Mines
24 March, 2pm-5pm 19-22 April, 11am-4.30pm 15 March, 10.30am-5pm
Llanerchaeron Visit Colby at twilight and see the
woodland garden in a whole different Mother’s Day flower arranging and Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Official opening for 2019
19-22 April, 11am-4pm light. Go on a guided walk to see the bats afternoon tea Bunny’s been leaving clues around the Go on an underground adventure of the
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt and beasties that enjoy this special place Come along to our flower arranging house to a Cadbury chocolate surprise. only known Roman Gold Mines in the UK.
Follow the nature trail around the estate at night. Adult £3, child £2. **BE (01834 workshop and create a handmade *NAP + £2 per hunt. *NAP.
to claim your chocolate reward. *NAP + 811885). floral piece for mum. Then enjoy a
£2 per hunt. bite to eat with full afternoon tea 25 May – 2 June, 11am-4.30pm 19-22 April, 11am-3pm
including a glass of Prosecco for the Tudor household trail Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt
27 May, 11am-4pm grown-ups. Adult £19.95, child £7.95 Look for the Tudor dolls hidden around Hunt around the goldmine for clues to a
Shearing day North Pembrokeshire including flower arrangement session the house and find out what their jobs Cadbury treat. *NAP + £3 for hunt.
See our flock of sheep get their annual Gwadn, Solva and afternoon tea. **BE (01646 were. Lots of different roles were needed
haircut. Ceredigion Spinners and Weavers 14 February, 10am-12noon 623110). to make the household run smoothly. Gower
will demonstrate how to tread, dye and AND *NAP.
spin a sheep’s fleece into wool. *NAP. Marloes Sands 19-22 April, 11am-3pm 2 February, 10am-4pm
24 April, 2pm-4pm Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, World Wetlands Day
Colby Woodland Garden 29 May, 11am-1pm Broad Haven South Dinefwr Join us for this bird watching event at our
The Big Beach Clean Challenge Follow the Easter safari to find a sweet wetland area at Whiteford. Meet at Cwm
19-22 April, 11am-3.30pm Help us care for the Pembrokeshire treat. £3 per hunt. *NAP. 25 February – 1 March, 11am-3pm Ivy car park. **BE.
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt coastline by taking part in our monthly Half term fun at Dinefwr
Bunny’s been leaving clues to a Cadbury beach cleans. Litter picking kit will be 11 May Get to know our wonderful trees on a 5 May, 5.10am-8.30am & 9am-12noon
surprise. To find the treat you’ll need provided. Free event. Festival of the sea, Gupton Farm guided activity event every day during International Dawn Chorus event
to explore the gardens. £2 per hunt. With stalls, live music, food and drink, the February half term, with outdoor and Meet at National Trust car park,
*NAP. 19 April, 10.30am-3.30pm and beach activities to enjoy. Make a indoor trails.*NAP. Southgate, Pennard (SS554873). **BE.
Easter Fair and Cadbury Easter Egg weekend of it and stay at the campsite.
12 May, 10am-4pm Hunt, Southwood Farm Tickets coming soon. 19-22 April, 11am-3pm *NAP Normal admission price
Spring plant sale Bunny’s been exploring and Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt **BE Booking essential
Browse the stalls and enjoy a Q&A leaving clues to a Cadbury treat Follow the clues to a Cadbury treat. Please visit the website for accessibility
session with Colby’s gardeners. *NAP. for you. £2.50 per hunt. *NAP + £3 for hunt. information and for further event details.
Plenty to see and do. Go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wales or follow us on NT Wales @NTWales and @YGCymru @NTWales Spring 2019 3
North-East On your doorstep
Wales
Nature’s greatest
show at Erddig
Enjoy nature's greatest show at Erddig’s 13.5-acre walled garden, as wave
after wave of fresh blooms open up in the warm sunshine and catch the
raindrops.
First to arrive are snowdrops in way for thousands of bold tulips
delightful clusters in the coachman’s in the Victorian parterre bedding
tea garden and along Moss Walk. scheme.
The Welsh emblem of St David’s In May, the cascading Himalayan
Day, the daffodil, is next. Daffodils clematis looks like a foaming white
transform the canal banks and a waterfall tumbling 30ft from Wolf’s
wide variety of Narcissi fill the long Den into the rose garden.
borders.
And in the Big Wood, you’ll find
The late-flowering fragrant a carpet of white-flowering, wild
pheasant’s eye variety, Narcissus garlic.
Poeticus, have elegant white petals
and an orange-rimmed cup. They As spring crescendos into summer,
grow between the apple trees in the watch wild orchids bloom in the
orchards and are joined by snake's- meadows along the banks of the
head fritillary at Easter. canal.
The native wildflower, Fritillaria
Meleagris, with its delicate, pink-
white flower heads, is another star
of the show.
As the fritillary fades, Erddig's fruit
blossoms appear along the garden
walls and the orchards, paving the
Bats and yellow beetles thrive at castle Uprooted evacuees
Wildlife lovers, grab your boots
safe in castle Actors from
and binoculars and see all of the
Imagine being uprooted from your home, split
new and exciting species popping Theatre Clwyd
from your family and your friends and being taken
up in the grounds of Chirk Castle. will bring the war
to live in a huge castle in rural Mid Wales..
years to life at
The estate is already a Site of
That's what happened when pupils our acting friends Powis Castle
Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for
and teachers from The Ashford at Theatr Clwyd,
bats, veteran trees, grassland fungi
Welsh Girls School were evacuated from 26 March.
and for saproxylic (or dead-wood)
from Middlesex to Powis Castle in
invertebrates.
Welshpool, at the outbreak of the Those frightening war years will
Second World War in 1939. be brought to life with film, audio
And the first results of a year-long
installations and live interpretation.
invertebrate survey in 2018 show
They were guests of George
that the diversity of insects on the
Herbert, 4th Earl of Powis, governor Discover how the girls adapted
estate has held up well since the
of the school, in a bid to safeguard to castle life, uncovered hidden
previous survey in 1996 and new
them from the bombing raids of treasures and met the castle’s
species have been found.
Hitler's Germany. residents.
Expert Keith Alexander used
Their lives were literally turned We’ll also be inviting visitors to
delicate flight interception traps
upside down overnight but they explore a previously unseen floor of
to capture a sample of insects and We’re also expecting to find some And these results are proof that
adjusted to the safety provided by the castle. See our recreated school
identified them. nationally rare and European Union their meticulous approach is
country life, within the thick castle dormitory, classroom and prep
Red-list species, such as the Hairy working well.
walls. room.
There have been many nationally- Fungus Beetle, or the Darkling Beetle.
scarce species identified, including Take a spring walk on one of our
Their remarkable and previously Visit us from 23-28 April and
Mordellistena Neuwaldeggiana, a Our rangers work hard to maintain trails around the fascinating 480-
untold story will be revealed at 30 April- 5 May, for live
yellow beetle previously only found the estate as an excellent habitat for acre parkland to discover ancient
Powis Castle, with a little help from performances.
in Wales at a single site near Cardiff. a wide variety of species. trees, wildflowers, birds and insects.
What’s on Erddig
19-22 April, 11am-4pm 17 March, 1pm-4pm 23 March, 12.30pm-3.30pm
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Spring estate walk House reawakens
Find clues hidden along the terraces and Join our ranger team for a spring walk February to May, 11am-4pm, After a winter of conservation work,
in the shade of the giant yew hedges to around Chirk Castle’s special 480 acre 10am-5pm from 23 March we’re lifting off the dust covers and
Powis Castle and Garden claim your Cadbury prize. *NAP + £2.50 estate. Find out what spring means for Erddig spring garden opening the shutters as the house
23 February – 3 March, 11am-4pm for hunt. the estate and what work the ranger Enjoy nature's greatest show in Erddig’s opens fully for 2019. Discover some
Spring flower trail team have planned for the year. **BE. 13.5-acre walled garden as waves of exciting new developments in the State
spring highlights wash over the garden. Bedroom. Find out more about Erddig
Follow our flower trails in the castle Chirk Castle 1-28 April, 10am-5pm *NAP. and its unique history on guided tours.
and garden to find out more about the Signs of spring trail
beautiful blooms you can spot in your 2 February – 8 March, 10am-4pm Ground floor of the house is wheelchair
Celebrate the signs of spring returning
own garden. *NAP. Sensational snowdrop walks accessible. Free event.
with our sensory natural trail through *NAP Normal admission price
Chase away those winter blues with a
30-31 March, 12noon-4pm the gardens. *NAP. 19-22 April, 10am-5pm
beautiful walk around Chirk Castle’s **BE Booking essential
Mother’s Day afternoon tea Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt
award winning gardens and Pleasure Please visit the website for
Show your mum how special she is by Hop along and join us for some
Ground Wood, and see a carpet of accessibility information and for
treating her to afternoon tea in our springtime family fun on our annual
delicate snowdrops. *NAP. further event details.
Courtyard Restaurant. £12, or £18 with Easter trail to claim your chocolate
Prosecco. **BE. treat. *NAP + £2.50 for hunt.
4 Spring 2019 Plenty to see and do. Go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wales or follow us on NT Wales @NTWales and @YGCymru @NTWales
On your doorstep South-East
Wales
Brecon Beacons
appeal success
Thanks to your help, we have repaired 650 metres of footpath leading
up to Pen y Fan since the launch of the Brecon Beacons Appeal in
February 2018.
With more than 350,000 walkers further filming and a bird’s eye
treading these slopes every year, view of the landscape we are
ongoing maintenance and erosion protecting during the annual airlift
control is essential to keep this to transport scalpings.
special place accessible to all.
There was also an auction of a
There has been a hive of activity Pen y Fan sign.
surrounding the appeal, which has
reached millions of people across All money raised has gone directly
the UK. to fund ongoing repairs to protect
this living landscape. We want to
This included live BBC coverage ensure visitors can continue to
of the launch in February 2018, enjoy this beloved place.
Hands of time
Dyffryn’s spring facelift Accessibility in historic houses has been a challenge facing those who have lived
in, worked at and visited these special places for many hundreds of years.
The house at Dyffryn Gardens will receive a major transformation this For Colonel Courtenay Morgan, early As his eyesight deteriorated,
spring. The project aims to repair and replace the damaged Bath stone signs of blindness became apparent Courtenay accumulated items
that has deteriorated over the last few decades. at a young age, resulting in sweeping to aid him to continue living as
changes to life at Tredegar House. independently as possible. One such
Built over 125 years ago, from The stone has slowly crumbled Gone were the days of his lavish parties possession was a specially-designed
a soft stone in a relatively wet and lost its colour and definition and uncompromising rule. They were watch allowing him to feel the
environment, Dyffryn House is over the past few decades. replaced by a gentler lifestyle and a hands in order to tell the time. This
now inevitably showing its age. closer relationship with his staff. treasured item in the Tredegar House
And its 'facelift' will focus on Parts had quick-fix repairs collection will be put on display to
replacing eroded and broken stone and on closer inspection were Servants’ accounts reveal furniture help tell Courtenay Morgan's story on
and a large amount of re-pointing revealed to be colour-matched was not to be moved and doors Disabled Access Day on Saturday,
and replacement of cement fixes concrete. Work will progress had to be shut at all times allowing 16 March.
around the whole ornate building. in three phases and visitors to Courtenay to feel his way from room
Dyffryn can expect scaffolding to room. Courtenay was a keen Tredegar House will also be opening
This is the second stage of repairs to mask some parts of the house horseman and continued to ride on the early on this day for a quiet hour from
to the façade of the historic house for several weeks – although estate with the assistance of his stud 10am to 11am. For more information
and the project will cost nearly there are still plenty of amazing groom Jack Vaughan, while his valet on Disabled Access Day at Tredegar
£250,000 in total. sights to see. William Sayzeland became his closest House please visit the website or call
companion, going everywhere with him. 01633 815880.
What’s on Tredegar House† Dyffryn Gardens
25-27 May, 11am-4pm 13-28 April
Captain Henry Morgan’s pirate Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt
1-3 March, 11am-4pm weekend 23 March, 10.30am-3.30pm Hunt high and low all over the gardens
A taste of Wales Captain Henry Morgan has returned Photography workshop to find the clues that will lead you to a
Aberdulais Celebrate St David’s Day with legendary from his latest voyage with an impressive Join Glyn Evans for a one-day course chocolatey prize. Child £3.50 per hunt.
16 February – 3 March, tales, Welsh flavours and daffodil displays bounty and he’s inviting you to celebrate to improve your photography skills
10.30am-3.30pm galore. *NAP. with a fête at the home of his ancestors. using the gardens as your subject. £40. † Buggies are not allowed
How do we know about the past? *NAP. **BE. inside the house. The first
Self-led family activities to help you floor is inaccessible to
6-28 April, 11am-4pm 31 March, 1pm-3pm wheelchair users.
learn the techniques used to discover
Easter holidays
The Kymin Mother’s day afternoon tea
Aberdulais’s secrets. *NAP. *NAP Normal admission price
Adventure through the Orchard, 19-22 April, 11am-4pm Treat your mum to a special afternoon
19-22 April, 10am-4.30pm Cedar and Orangery Gardens on a Family animal trail tea in the beautiful setting of the **BE Booking essential
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt sensory trail to discover the spring Make a pair of binoculars, collect your map Morning Room in Dyffryn house.
Please visit the website for
Follow our geology trail and learn how blooms and wakening wildlife, before and permit and get ready to explore as you £21.95. **BE.
accessibility information and for
Aberdulais was formed centuries ago. ticking off some of the ’50 things’ look for all the hidden creatures around
further event details.
*NAP + £2 for hunt. with our team. *NAP. the grounds of The Kymin. £2 per trail.
Plenty to see and do. Go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wales or follow us on NT Wales @NTWales and @YGCymru @NTWales Spring 2019 5
North-West On your doorstep
Wales
Uplift your senses
at Bodnant Garden
Bodnant Garden comes to life in spring and we’re inviting visitors to get
out and be part of the great awakening.
Nothing beats that feeling when So pop out for a walk in the fresh air,
you see the first bulbs appearing – volunteer in the garden, or just find a
snowdrops, iris, crocus and daffodils. quiet spot to sit and enjoy some ‘me
time'.
Then, magnolia buds open in warm
sunshine and there’s excitement for There’s also an opportunity to get fit,
what’s to come. skill-up or chill out.
Immerse yourself in the seasonal, In February half-term, children can
sensory burst of warmer days, follow the Fairy House Path and join
lighter nights, chattering birds and hands-on snowdrop planting.
blossoming plants.
At Easter, families can explore
Make the most of our National wildlife nature trails and activities.
Collection of magnolias and There will also be a programme of
rhododendrons which light up the guided walks for adults.
garden from March to May, and spot
garden birdlife with an expert. There’s no other time of year
like spring and no better place
We want to inspire children’s love to experience it than this beautiful
of the outdoors and re-awaken that listed garden in the Conwy
connection for adults too. Valley.
Growing trees for Snowdonia Voices at Penrhyn
It’s not just the stories we tell…
but the personal experiences behind them.
We're in the process of setting up a special tree We’ll encourage them to grow to provide shelter for During 2019, the team at As well as looking for voices, the team
nursery in Snowdonia, thanks in part to funds from livestock. We want them to bridge the gaps between Penrhyn Castle and Garden will will be looking for personal stories
our local renewable projects. wooded areas, allowing birds and wildlife to move more be embarking on an ambitious and objects connected to Penrhyn’s
freely. collaborative project to gather a history – concentrating on the
The aim of the nursery is to use locally-collected seeds collection of voices, stories and Penrhyn Quarry Strike, slavery and
to grow a mixture of native trees. The saplings can Look out for opportunities to get involved with associated objects to tell the story workers' rights. Once gathered, these
be grown until they are big and strong enough to be gathering local seeds, sowing and planting. of Penrhyn Castle from a different will form part of an experience in
planted on mountainside locations across Snowdonia. perspective. the castle and garden that will bring
These trees won’t be fenced off, so they need to be tall
enough to avoid the hungry mouths of grazing sheep
Spring garden From early February, the team
these stories and objects to life, while
resonating with contemporary issues.
and goats. Enjoy a stroll around the gardens at Plas yn Rhiw, will be taking to the streets, to
where you can see in the first and last bountiful gather the wealth of oral history The Collective Voices project starts
Since the seeds have been sourced locally, they are signs of spring. Start with a dazzling display of and opinion that surrounds the in early February and can be heard
more likely to have been adapted to survive in the snowdrops in late January and early February, contentious history of the castle and seen at Penrhyn Castle in the
harsh conditions of Snowdonia. then return for a warm haze of bluebells in May. in North Wales. summer of 2019.
What’s on 10, 17 & 24 April & 29 May, 11am-4pm
Springtime fun with Wild Elements
creatures, sights, smells and sounds in
the garden and claim your prize. *NAP +
Plas yn Rhiw Llanbedrog Beach
Plas Newydd A host of fun family outdoor activities. £2.50 per hunt. 26-27 January & 2-3 February, 26 May, 12noon-4pm
From den building and wild trails to craft 11am-3pm Shipwrecked
House and Gardens activities and nature games. *NAP. Snowdrop display Practise your survival skills on
21-25 February, 10.30am-2.30pm Bodnant Garden Welcome the first signs of spring by Llanbedrog beach, and tick off some of
Glorious mud! Penrhyn Castle and Garden exploring the garden and woodland your ‘50 things’ activities such as den-
Don’t be a stick-in-the-mud; join the 18-21 & 25-28 February, 11am-1pm carpeted with beautiful snowdrops. building, cooking on a campfire and raft
team for four days of mud kitchen 18, 21, 25 & 28 February, 11am-3pm Snowdrop planting The garden, tea-room and shop will building; everything you need to survive
mayhem – mud pies, the barefoot Snowdrop planting Join our gardeners and volunteers be open especially for these two on a desert island! Free event.
challenge and a fabulous mud slide. Bring Join the garden team and help them grow creating a Snowdrop Walk in the Far weekends. *NAP.
your wellies, towels, a change of clothes the amazing snowdrop display to be one End. *NAP.
and your sense of adventure. *NAP. of the best in North Wales. *NAP.
18-28 February, 10am-4pm Beddgelert
2 April - 31 May, 11am-4pm 1 April – 24 May, 10.30am-4pm Fairy house path *NAP Normal admission price
Our place in nature: Spring nature trail Follow the trail of tiny fairy houses 19-22 April, 11am-4pm
**BE Booking essential
spring wellbeing trail Explore the garden using your senses to through Furnace Wood. *NAP. Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt
From learning Qigong Tai Chi poses, experience nature’s voice amongst the Pick up your map in Tŷ Isaf shop and Please visit the website for
to forest bathing techniques and trees, plants and flowers. *NAP. 18 March, 11am-12noon go on a quest to find some signs accessibility information and for
mindfulness zones – join us as we Birds of Bodnant guided walk of spring around Beddgelert further event details.
explore using our shared landscape to 13-22 April, 10.30am-4pm Join an expert bird watcher for collecting a Cadbury chocolate
escape the daily grind and find our place Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt a guided tour of the garden. prize at the end. £2 per child.
in nature. (Self-led activities.) Follow our nature trail to discover the *NAP. **BE (0344 249 1895).
6 Spring 2019 Plenty to see and do. Go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wales or follow us on NT Wales @NTWales and @YGCymru @NTWales
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