The first event to encourage people to take positive action for nature recovery was our hugely popular Wilding Walk and Talk held at Wyeswood Common - one of our thriving restoration projects.
The event kicked off in the barn with a presentation on "Wilding" and its benefits to nature recovery (we were delighted to report finding fresh evidence of Barn Owl activity as we were setting up in the medieval barn). GWT Senior Grazing Conservation Officer, Joe Ryder, himself a farmer, also fascinated those who attended by telling the story of our traditional haymeadow restoration at Pentwyn Farm SSSI and Wyeswood Common. Joe then took the talk and walk outside to see how ‘wilding’ works in practice around Wysewood Common.
Joe says,
“People were delighted to witness the positive changes taking place around Wyeswood Common. Giving people the opportunity to see how they can get involved in practical activities to help nature recover is hugely important. A success story like this inspires people to participate, either by lending a hand volunteering for the Trust, or by making changes in their own garden for the benefit of nature.”
Nature recovery gets a boost courtesy of the players of People’s Postcode Lottery
Wildling Walk at Wyeswood 2025 - Debbie Stenner
For the first time, GWT joined the fantastic Art in Penallt festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend. We hosted a series of family-friendly events at our Pentwyn Farm nature reserve.
We welcomed more than 150 visitors and held a number of well-attended nature-based workshops including a very popular sound bath, clay workshop, wildlife photography session, willow weaving and wreath making.
The feedback was very positive, and people of all ages enjoyed participating in our community event.
One of the highlights was the huge 7m X 1.5m Community Wall Mural displayed in the barn. Almost everyone had a go at wildlife painting using brushes, or their hands and fingers. We will be hanging this beautiful community collaboration in Penallt Church for several months – if you can, please go and see it.
Child painting and Art in Penallt by Natasha Burgon
Natural wreath making at Art in Penallt - Natasha Burgon
Community wall mural in Pentwyn Farm barn
A huge thanks needs to go the GWT Team for all their tireless work in making this element of the ‘Art in Penallt' festival such a huge success.
Gwent Wildlife Trust gratefully acknowledges support for nature recovery thanks to funds raised by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
The nature reserves that will benefit from the support are Pentwyn Farm SSSI and neighbouring restoration site at Wyeswood Common, together totalling 54 hectares.
