Cefn Ila's Secret Garden

Today, enjoying some much needed Christmas down time, I took Dewi for a nice leisurely walk up at one of my favourite local haunts near Usk - Cefn Ila. Those of you who have been following my Usk Chirps posts over the last year will be aware that I have written about Cefn Ila on a couple of previous occasions and for those of you who haven't  seen these already and want to know more about the history and background of Cefn Ila and the restorative work going on there,  I will put some signposts to them at the bottom of this blog.

Dewi loves walking at Cefn Ila

I've been taking a few photos at Cefn Ila at regular intervals during the year and this update features photos taken through October to December. Its been a very mild Autumn and Winter so far and although the deciduous trees have now shed their leaves. everywhere is still remarkably green.

On the last few occasions I've been to Cefn Ila I have enjoyed exploring not only the newly planted woodland, but the adjacent site of the old Cefn Ila Mansion, orchard and walled garden. Thanks to the work of the Woodland Trust, volunteer work parties and some recently won Heritage Lottery funding,  these areas are gradually being cleared and rejuvenated, breathing life back into this secret garden which has lain hidden for a long time beneath choking brambles and ivy.

When Dewi and I got back from our walk at lunchtime,  it seemed quite fitting that one of my favourite films, 'The Secret Garden', was on TV! Its going to be interesting watching Cefn Ila's own 'Secret Garden' take shape over the next few years.

Autumn fruits,colours and textures snapped at Cefn Ila.

The old orchard at Cefn Ila has many varieties of gnarled old pear trees. Blackberries, hips and haws abound in the hedgerows.

Through the summer, into October a small herd of goats was used to keep the brambles at bay in the old orchard. They are very friendly and inquisitive.

With the goats gone for the winter, work has started on installing new gates and fencing into the orchard to improve public access.

Clearing has also begun in and around the walled garden which sits on the bank above the orchard. Lovely views from the walled garden.

The bee hives are quiet at this time of the year but come the spring they will be buzzing once more!

It's an exciting phase for Cefn Ila with a lot of ground clearance also being done along the driveway and in the arboretum allowing the majestic splendour of the many species of pine tree, many planted by Edward Trelawney in the 17th Century, to be fully revealed!

Lovely Winter skies at Cefn Ila today - Dewi and I enjoyed our walk!

Just the thing after a good Winters walk - the blackberries I picked at Cefn Ila made some wonderful Blackberry Whiskey and Gin - if you want to make some yourself next Autumn (or you have fruit in the freezer) you can find out how to do it in my blog post Potent Hedgerows.

For more information, including the history of Cefn Ila and directions on how to get there,  read my earlier blog posts:

A Boxing Day Ramble at Cefn Ila

A Summer Evening Stroll at Cefn Ila

If you would like to get involved at Cefn Ila as a volunteer contact the Woodland Trust on 08437705566

Springdale Farm Nature Reserve

Apologies for a gap in my blog writing – the demands of setting up a new small business (Usk Valley Promotions) have meant I’ve had little time to spend on Usk Chirps recently! However, I’ve been storing up a few photos to use in this post when I finally got around to it and todays the day!

A few miles from Usk at Coed Cwnr/ Llangeview, above the livery stables where I keep my horse Rowan (New Court Livery),  is a hidden gem of a nature reserve ‘Springdale Farm’. This area is very special to me personally as I was brought up in the valley 'Llewellyn's Dingle' which lies directly below Springdale Farm. I spent many happy hours in this valley and the surrounding woods and hills both as a child growing up and as an adult - you can read more about my old home Yew Tree Cottage in an earlier post here. I count myself blessed that I can continue to enjoy this beautiful, precious place either walking or from the back of my horse, although I now live in nearby Usk.

Springdale Farm Nature Reserve

Purchased by the Gwent Wildlife Trust in 2001 with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Countryside Council for Wales, Monmouthshire County Council and Gwent Wildlife Trust donations, Springdale Farm comprises around 120 acres of grassland and ancient deciduous woods.

In spring the floor of the woodland is carpeted with wood anemones, followed by bluebells and wild garlic. Here is my dog Dewi enjoying a walk through the wood.

The lower part of Springdale Farm is quite steep terrain so take care walking on the lower fields and through the wood as paths may be muddy and slippery. Suitable footwear for walking is recommended.

Located at an altitude of 100 -150m the top hay meadows, full of wildflowers, including wild orchids, in spring and summer, offer stunning, panoramic views across the Usk Valley towards Twm Barlwm, The Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons, Wentwood Forest and the Severn Estuary. 

Springdale Farm is a working organic farm managed using wildlife friendly traditional farming methods. The pasture is grazed by a herd of pedigree British White Cattle and a small flock of Welsh sheep, owned by Ellie and James Hawkins who live at New Court Farm (and Livery) next door.

Meet some of this year's batch of lambs with Gwynie the Border Collie and George the British White calf with Ellie Hawkins! All animals are cared for supremely!!

Visiting Springdale Farm

Vistors are welcome on the farm and in the woodland, but take care to close gates, and keep dogs under close control to respect nature and grazing livestock. In summer keep to the edge of the hay meadows to avoid treading down the grass which will eventually be cut as hay.

Car parking is available opposite the Alms Houses (please do not park in front of gateways into the fields or barn - this is a working farm and tractors need access at all times.

Springdale Farm, Llanllowell Lane, Monmouthshire, NP15 1NF OS Map Ref: ST 409995

Looking across New Court Farm and Livery to Springdale Farm above

I am very lucky to keep my horse in such a beautiful place at New Court Livery next door to Springdale Farm!

Me with Rowan!

For further information on Springdale Farm

Gwent Wildlife Trust

Meet The Dog Team

My two spaniels feature in many of the photos I take, so it seems sensible for you to get to know them. The other dog you might see in some photos, as I'm taking a look back at some walks done at earlier points in time,  is Bess my much loved  Border Collie who very sadly died at the age of 14 in 2012. 

Name: Molly

Breed: English Springer Spaniel

Colour: Liver and White

Age: 14

NB: We very sadly lost Molly at the end of March 2014 - very much missed! Now we just have Dewi and the lovely memories of Molly including some nice photos on Usk Chirps!!

I was born in a Keeper's cottage on the Glan Usk Estate near Crickhowell which belongs to the Legge Bourkes, so I think that makes me almost ‘Royal’. I’ve lived with Izzy since I was 8 weeks old. I am very friendly and enjoy being made a fuss of. I love eating and still really enjoy going for walks, but now I'm 14 (that's 98 in human years so I'm doing well), I can’t manage long distances, steep hills and rough terrain any more. My energy levels are not what they used to be and I suffer from arthritis which I take medication for. Most of the time I’m not able to walk very fast and I can’t jump into the car  like Dewi does, but sometimes I enjoy a little run and a roll in the grass. I like to tease Dewi by collecting up all the toys he wants to play with and putting them on my rug and guarding them. I was young and energetic like him once, but now I’m a lot quieter and calmer and I mostly just like to curl up and sleep in a nice warm place.

Name: Dewi

Breed: Working Spaniel

Colour: Black and White

Age:  3

I don’t know where I was born  but I came to live with Izzy and Jeremy when I was nearly 1 year old in Nov 2012. I like it here in Usk because there are lots of good places to walk. My previous owner couldn’t really cope with me. Izzy tells me this is because I am ‘extreme’ – i.e. extremely happy,  friendly,  strong, greedy,  naughty, excitable, eager, boisterous, fast,  energetic and enthusiastic. Some rude people go as far as to say I am ‘bonkers’, but I want them to know I can’t help it, it’s just how I am. Izzy has been teaching me to try and keep calm, to come back when I am called, not to jump on people because I want them to say hello and to walk nicely on a lead. She says I am slowly getting better at it and I try my best to be good, but sometimes I get so excited, my ‘good’ just gets left behind.  I am ready to go for a walk at any time in any weather, day or night. I like to run as fast as I can for as long as I can, whenever I can. If you say ‘ready’ I will go. I like running on beaches, up mountains and through fields, woods and forests.  I love the water and I spend most of the summer in the river and any day in the winter too, if the water is not actually frozen. I am very athletic and can jump over most gates and fences.  I like rolling in smelly things and eating bits of anything tasty and dead that I can find. Izzy says this is a disgusting habit. I like curling up next to Molly when she lets me, but sometimes she gets grumpy with me. I think she likes me, but often finds me a ‘bit much’!