Parish Field Hay Meadow
This 3
acre field is in Craig Penllyn, a small village to the north of the
Vale.
It has a remarkable diversity of wild flowers but when horse
grazing was stopped in the 1990s, the biodiversity of the site
began to deteriorate as scrub moved into the meadow.
In 2002 the Graig & Penllyn Residents Association, who lease
the site from the Community Council, began a programme of action to
save their meadow.
Major clearance was undertaken to restore the areas of grassland
lost to encroaching scrub and the wood was stacked at the meadow
edges to provide habitat for insects and fungi.
An annual hay cut is now undertaken by the Glamorgan Heritage
Coast Project, which is followed by the raking of the hay to a
compost area.
Following the scrub clearance and hay cuts over 90 plant
species, not previously recorded at the site, have appeared,
including Moschatel, Pignut, Common Twayblade and the uncommon
Adders Tongue Fern. The recolonisation by meadow plants of the
cleared scrub on the steep west slope is highlighted by the bright
summer displays of Betony, Selfheal, Common Centaury and Slender St
Johns Wort.
From April to September, visitors to the meadow are treated to a
succession of floral displays. Firstly several thousand cowslips,
then Birds Foot Trefoil and Germander Speedwell, then Lady's
Bedstraw, the rayed form of Knapweed (Centaurea nigra, above) and
lastly, Devil's-bit Scabious.
So far this community led project has involved a range of
partners including local residents, Pencoed College, Glamorgan
Heritage Coast Project, Penarth Scouts, British Trust for
Conservation Volunteers, the Vale's Ecology Team, Countryside
Council for Wales, and local recorders. It has been supported
financially from grant aid from Environment Wales.
Is the work worthwhile?
Just sit on the field bench in late August. In front of you is a
marvellous view of Merthyr Mawr, and around you there is likely to
be a large and noisy flock of goldfinches, feeding on the seeds of
thistles and knapweed. The field has interest at all times of the
year, and an information board provides details of management,
plants and work dates.
If you would like to join in on the work on the field, contact
Steve White.
Email: lbapsteve@aol.com
For more information on the Parish Field visit the Craig and
Penllyn Website http://www.penlline.org.uk/