Community log cabin to provide all-weather activities

Published 06 January 2012

School and community groups using a country park will soon have a shelter during winter weather.

Work is due to start on constructing a community log cabin at Porthkerry Country Park, in Barry, for the use of the more than 40 groups who use the Vale of Glamorgan Council-run site.

Park ranger, Mel Stewart said Forest Lodge would be a useful resource for events and activities for the local community, especially during winter and in the evenings.

The cabin will be located in the overflow car park, opposite the Forest Café.

Contractors will begin building the concrete base, on which the cabin will stand, on Monday (January 9).

Park managers obtained a £78,000 Barry Regeneration Area grant for the 8mx8m2 building, which is to have a wood-burning stove.

It is hoped the building will help deliver year-round education, sports and learning programmes to increasing volumes of school children, through play and act as a focal point for community groups.

Cabinet member for tourism and leisure, Councillor Anthony Ernest said: "It will provide a unique, sustainable building in a fantastic setting overlooking the sea that can be used as an information source for visitors, and as a base for a huge variety of community activities."

Park ranger, Mel Stewart added:"It will provide a very useful addition to the park.

"It will provide much needed shelter for the many groups currently using the park; including several volunteer groups, Wildlife Watch group, school groups and scout and guide groups."

The cabin, being built in Aberystwyth from timber shipped from Latvia, is due to be completed by the end of March and opened in April.

Attached picture: Shows a cabin similar to the building which will be built at Porthkerry Country Park