New Woodland Projects Launched to Boost Community Wellbeing in Carmarthenshire

5 Mawrth 2025

Coed Lleol / Small Woods, in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council, is launching an exciting new series of woodland projects aimed at enhancing community engagement and wellbeing in Carmarthenshire. 
 
Set to run from March to August 2025, the initiative will focus on improving access to and use of local woodlands in Bynea, Llanelli, and Pontyberem, while fostering a deeper connection to nature through wellness activities. With events ranging from community tree planting days to storytelling sessions, this project offers residents the opportunity to contribute to the environmental stewardship of these green spaces while benefiting from nature-based activities designed to improve mental and physical health. 
Woodland Wellbeing Project Officer, Becky Brandwood-Cormack, said: 
 
“Coed Lleol Carmarthenshire is excited to be working on this new project with Carmarthenshire County Council. This partnership provides us with the opportunity to deliver our activities at two new sites within the county. We look forward to meeting the local communities who live close to these beautiful green spaces and together having a positive impact on both the sites and each other”. 

The Small Woods Association, a UK-wide charity which has headquarters in Shropshire and its Welsh base in Machynlleth, was formed in 1988 as the national organisation for small woodlands. The charity has an impressive track record in managing social forestry projects, as well as promoting sustainable management of small woodlands for social, environmental and economic benefit. Coed Lleol / Small Woods in Wales has been running outdoor health and wellbeing activities since 2010. 

In Bynea, the project will create a 7.79-hectare community woodland next to residential areas and Bynea Primary School, located on land owned by Carmarthenshire County Council. The project, aligned with National Forest for Wales objectives, aims to enhance environmental and social benefits. Coed Lleol will lead on engagement events with the local community and the school, tree planting, promoting site usage, and establishing a volunteer group of ‘Site Stewards’ to maintain the site. 

In Pontyberem, the project will restore and improve the woodlands of the old Pentremawr colliery and nearby Syrthfa field. The focus will be on enhancing natural, amenity, and historic values while creating a community resource that is accessible for locals. Coed Lleol will deliver engagement activities and work with the community to share the history of the area, encouraging local involvement, and establishing a volunteer-led stewardship group. 
 
The first events at each location are already accepting bookings: 
Bynea: Community Tree Planting Day on Saturday, 15th March at 10am 
Pontyberem: A community event to share memories of the old colliery on 1st April 
For more details or to book, contact Becky at [email protected]. 
This project is funded by The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) which is jointly funded by the Welsh Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.