A Local Places for Nature project led by Llanafan WI, transforming an unloved area into a wildlife-friendly garden and community space in rural Ceredigion.
Key details
- Location: Llanafan, Ceredigion
- Project Type: Wildlife Garden
- Group: Llanafan Women’s Institute (15 members, active gardening, book, and walking groups)
Deprivation index
- Access to Services: 10% most deprived
- Overall: 50% least deprived
Community involvement
- 40 volunteers, 621 volunteer hours
- Aberystwyth Conservation Volunteers, students, WI members, local families
- Steps and paths installed for accessibility
Outputs
- 50 people expected to use the garden
- Area cleared of invasive species, now a hay meadow and species-rich grassland
- Improved access for children, elderly, and those with mobility issues
Benefits
- Social: Real community project, bringing people together
- Cultural: Fostered pride and ownership
- Economic: Shared knowledge and skills for future projects
- Health: Improved wellbeing for people and wildlife
- Unexpected benefits: Timber reused for hedges/fencing, improved paths
Quote
“Because of its size and steep slopes, most of the WI Cottage garden has been abandoned for many years. Now, with the help of the Keep Wales Tidy team, Aberystwyth Conservation Volunteers and members and friends of the WI, we aim to make it a haven for wildlife that can be enjoyed by the whole community.”
Adelle Robinson, Llanafan WI
Future plans
- Collaborating with West Wales Rivers Trust on ‘Adopt a Tributary’ scheme
- Ongoing use for WI meetings, coffee mornings, and events
- Seeking funding for continued partnership with Aberystwyth Conservation Volunteers
