DOLWEN FIELD LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The Dolwen Field Development Committee, in partnership with Llanwrtyd Wells Town Council, has received initial support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for our “Bear Necessities of Life” project, it was announced recently. Made possible by National Lottery players the project aims to create a sensory garden, a fully accessible sensory trail, and a wildlife meadow at Dolwen Field.
Development funding of £17600 has been awarded by the National Heritage Lottery fund to the Dolwen Field Development Committee who are working in partnership with Llanwrtyd Wells Town Council to help progress their plans. The project aims to provide a facility that will enable residents of Llanwrtyd and the surrounding areas to enjoy the natural world. We will create an accessible sensory walkway around the perimeter of the field together with a sensory garden that will cater to all ages and all abilities. The project will enhance the biodiversity of the site by including the planting of a small copse of trees and a wildflower meadow The finished project will offer education and open up opportunities for further use of existing facilities.
The Dolwen field was bequeathed to the community of Llanwrtyd Wells by Bevington Rhys Gibbins on the 16th March 1948 solely for the “recreation and relaxation for the inhabitants of and the visitors to Llanwrtyd Wells” In September 1983 Llanwrtyd Wells town council duly purchased the Field and have maintained the original stipulation that the Field should be used for recreation and relaxation. Over the years the field has been used for many sports and Community activities but in recent years its use has become limited. An existing pavilion was renovated in 2013 but this stands at the far end of the Field and is not easily accessible. The Community was initially consulted on how to make the Field more attractive for residents and visitors and the seeds of the project were sown.
This project will continue to preserve the Field as a place for relaxation and recreation for years to come. It will be accessible for all ages and all abilities and it will preserve the heritage of the site for future generations as our project will lead to a greater awareness of the site, develop a variety of things to do on the site, and will engage a wider range of people in heritage and what it means to the Town. Commenting on the award the Chair of the Committee, Mr. D. Barlow said, “We are delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players. The finished project will have an enormous effect on the health and wellbeing of the whole Community and preserves the heritage of the site for future generations. We could not have entertained this project without the support of the National Heritage Lottery fund, Powys County Council, The Community Lottery fund, and most importantly the support and fundraising efforts of the Community itself.”
Our project encourages the participation of the Community and already many volunteers are currently involved. The project opens opportunities for such volunteering and for future training as the use of the pavilion develops. It will offer educational opportunities and will provide a learning environment and will enable all ages and abilities to enjoy the space and experiences of the site.
