One crisp November morning, Maxine and I ventured on the very first of our
"Tiny Forest Walk and Talks". Our destination, a woodland known locally as "The Warren", which is found at the far end of Nant y Calch farm. We meandered along the public footpath, which has breathtaking views across the valley. The last working farm in the town, the tenant farming family have used natural farming methods for hundreds of years and the diversity of nature is exceptional, spilling into the neighbouring woodlands.
We had been tasked to create a blog about a “Tiny Forest “, which
Climate Action Caerphilly hoped to plant in Autumn 2021. We wanted our blog to have a very personal feel for local people; taking them on a journey from conception to fruition.
We admire how people from Caerphilly enjoy talking and in doing so, naturally build a trusting community with a strong oral tradition. With that in mind, we decided our blog could be like a transcript of our own "talks" on our walks in Caerphilly’s local woods, about our journey towards planting a Tiny Forest. We would blog the process of creating the Tiny Forest, whilst show-casing the outstanding woodlands we are so blessed to have on our doorstep.
This is the transcript for our very first talk at "The Warren", the beautiful beech woods found at Grid Ref: ST 16322 86323, accessed from Warren Drive, Caerphilly, CF83 1HQ.
Maxine: This is such a tranquil woodland setting. Look at these Beech giants. I wonder how old they are?!
Lynn: I don't know, but I think they can live up to 300 years?!
Maxine: I wonder how old the trees in Caerphilly's first Tiny Forest will live to be?
Lynn: My nephew said, haven't we got enough trees in Caerphilly? Why do we need a Tiny Forest?
Maxine: I bet Caerphilly Council's declared Climate Emergency, the need to be a net zero carbon local authority by 2030 will make his eyes glaze over!
Lynn: Yes, how do you explain to the children how much is at risk for their future? We are already seeing flooding in Caerphilly Borough...
Maxine: I know. People keep asking me why a Tiny Forest? They think I mean a miniature forest!
Lynn: A small forest with super powers! Growing 5 x faster than ordinary forests and absorbing 30 x more carbon! As well as attracting 500 more species of animals and plants!
Maxine: Amazing powers! Don't forget processing 30,000 litres of rainfall, improving air quality and reducing noise pollution!
Lynn: I wonder whether Caerphilly will plant Wales' first ever Tiny Forest? England has planted Britain's first earlier this year, in Witney, Oxfordshire.
Maxine: Wouldn't that be amazing if we managed to plant Wales' first Tiny Forest?! The Netherlands have planted over 100!
Lynn: Yes and it looks like we might possibly have the go ahead for it in Morgan Jones Park!
Maxine: Lucky residents! All that fresh air. Hopefully it will prevent flooding as well!