A WOODLAND project run by two schools in Barry received a very special visitor recently.

Oak Field Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun y Nant have created the Oak Field community woodland on a patch of land between the schools in Gibbonsdown.

Member of the Senedd Jane Hutt visited the project recently accompanied by Andrew White, Wales director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The one-acre site was overgrown and pupils have been working with the local community and the Local Nature Partnership Vale of Glamorgan to create an urban woodland on it.

It now contains a wildlife area; a pond and mature trees and saplings will be planted and a community allotment created on the site which will be accessible to everyone.

The Oak Field community woodland received £50,000 of funding last year from The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) programme.

The visit took place on Friday, March 24, where Ms Hutt and Mr White met Janet Hayward, the executive head teacher of Oak Field Primary School and Rhydian Lloyd, who is headteacher of Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun y Nant.

Jane Hutt MS said great to see the project.

“It was wonderful see how this funding has enabled pupils from Oak Field School and Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun y Nant to experience the power of outdoor learning in this natural green space,” said Ms Hutt.

“Their interest, curiosity and confidence was clear as they explained to me what they were learning in this natural environment.”

Barry And District News:

Jane Hutt MS and Andrew White visit the project

Part of the Welsh Government’s National Forest for Wales programme, TWIG is delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the Welsh Government.

Mr White said the work being done was inspiring.

“I really enjoyed the visit with Jane Hutt MS and meeting the pupils and staff Oak Field Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun y Nant,” said Mr White.

“Seeing the work they’re doing with the Oak Field community woodland and learning about the direct health benefits to the people and communities involved in this project was inspiring.

“The project is funded through TWIG and is combating the effects of climate change and supporting nature’s recovery which are both key priorities for us at The National Lottery Heritage Fund.”