Our president, Karen welcomed speakers from Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, Friends of the Upper Wye and welcomed around 40 guests who had come to listen to the talks.
James Hitchcock, Chief Executive Officer RWT, outlined the work of the trust and projects undertaken, including Gilfach. He discussed what RWT’s overall vision is for the charity and the importance of engaging with as many people as possible.
He was followed by Chloe Jackson, Pentwyn Project Officer, who talked about the vision of a “Wilder Pentwyn” and its role in the local community and beyond.
Pentwyn Farm is located near Gravel Arch approximately 2 miles from Llangunllo and was purchased in October 2021. Here farmland is being restored for nature with grassland, ffridd (a diverse mixture of grass and heathland), woodland and the upper reaches of the River Lugg SSSI.
Pat Stirling, who is the Citizen Science Programme Manager for the Friends of the Upper Wye who talked about the River Wye water system with emphasis on the Upper Wye (the River Lugg drainage basin). He looked at the quality of the water with a focus on phosphorous levels and two of our WI members, Di and Sue, talked about their monitoring on the Lugg in Llangunllo and Monaughty and showed the equipment used.
This section of our evening was linked by Karen into the NFWI Resolution of Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife and also WI members enjoying wild swimming locally in the River Lugg.
Dawn our Vice President gave a vote of thanks and also mentioned the help of the RWT with our WWF grant and project in the village.
The evening was rounded off with refreshments and a raffle.
Words: Anne Newton Photographs: Debbie Jones