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COMMEMORATIVE & OTHER TREES, AND PLANTINGS OF SPECIAL INTEREST |
COED-Y-BWL,
CASTLE-UPON-ALUN
This
ancient broad-leaved woodland lying on limestone is part of an area designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Consisting mainly of deciduous trees such as
elm, ash and field maple, it is one of the few places where a strain of Welsh wild daffodil
Flowers
were planted in the early 19th century by Mrs. Nicholl when the area,
known locally as Daffodil Wood,
was still part of
Merthyr Mawr
Estate. It
was acquired in 1970 and became a Glamorgan Naturalist Trust Reserve, and is now
managed by the Wildlife Trust.
The
Prince of Wales established an Award for contributors to the Welsh environment
during the 1970 European Conservation Year.
The Nature Reserve was one of 18 recipients of the Award in 1975 and at
Monmouth in July of that year, Prince Charles presented a plaque to mark the
occasion.
In
spring there is a carpet of daffodils and bluebells, and many common woodland
birds and animals can be seen. During
early summer it is a haven for butterflies among the woodland flowers. In
September several varieties of fungi can be found.
Welsh daffodil and Tenby daffodil bulbs can be bought in garden centres. The orange Tenby daffodil found in Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire, and South Pembrokeshire may be a cross between the Welsh daffodil and a wild continental variety, or was possibly brought to Wales by the Phoenicians or medieval monks. Narcissus Cardiff was specially bred to commemorate Cardiff's 50 years as the capital of Wales in 2005 (which was also its centenary year as a city).
ST.
BRIDES MAJOR
Several groups
of trees to commemorate various events have
been planted on the common just outside the village.
For ease of finding their location they are noted as being either on the
same side as, or on the opposite side to, Pant Quarry (although they are some
distance from it)
alongside the B4265.
Departure
of General Thomas Picton to the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 -
same side as quarry alongside
B4265. Dowager
Countess Caroline of Dunraven planted the lower group of chestnuts in memory of Sir Thomas Picton.
He had stayed at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm with his brother, Rev. Edward Picton (vicar of
St. Brides) before leaving for the Battle during which he was killed.
General Picton had had a premonition that he would die so visited all his
relatives, including Richard Turberville of Ewenny, before rejoining
the army after Napoleon’s escape from Elba.
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Mr. E. Hayden, the first headmaster (1863-1870) - at junction of Heol-yr-Ysgol and The Schilly, near Church entrance. Mr Hayden planted the tree outside the site (known locally as the Plantation) of the first school in the Parish.
Diamond Jubilee of H.M. Queen Victoria in 1897 - opposite side to quarry alongside B4265, just before cattle grid.*
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Queen Victoria's 60th year as Monarch |
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* Several diseased and/or dangerous trees had branches cut or were felled in March, 2004 and eight replacement standard oak, ash, beech and chestnut trees planted. The second phase of tree felling and pruning was carried out at the beginning of 2005. Replacement hardwood standard trees were planted and felled trunks/heavy branches were left on site as wildlife habitat.
Coronation of H.M. King George VI (and Queen Elizabeth) on 12th May, 1937 in Westminster Abbey – same side as quarry alongside B4265.*
In December, 1937, 41
trees were planted by W. A. Williams, W. E. Powell, T. John, Rev. T. Watkins and
Rev. J. Llewellyn-Croft. They had
been presented by the St. Brides Major Coronation Committee and were recorded in
The Royal Book of Commemorative Tree Planting Throughout the British Empire and
Part of the United States.
They must have been a
wonderful sight, as they comprised:
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Investiture
of H.R.H.
Prince Charles as Prince of Wales on
1st
July,
1969 -
same side as quarry alongside
B4265 just before you enter village. In December, 1969,
dignitaries and young people of the Parish planted 21 trees to mark the
Investiture of the Prince at Caernarfon Castle and his 21st
Birthday on 14th November, 1969.
Three of the trees (silver birch) represent the Parish Wards of St.
Brides Major, Ogmore-by-Sea and Southerndown.
The rotation of the planting was as follows: The Investiture Queen; her Attendant; Vicar; Chairman of Commons Committee; Duchy of Lancaster representative; Glamorgan County Councillor; Secretary of Investiture Committee; Clerk to the Parish Council; Ogmore-by-Sea Life Saving Club; Youth Club; Guides; Brownies; Scouts; Cubs; four school pupils; St. Brides Major Ward Councillor; Ogmore-by-Sea Ward Councillor; Southerndown Ward Councillor.
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Silver
Jubilee of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II in 1977 -
school grounds.
St. Brides Major PTA planted a fir
80th birthday of H.M. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on 4th August, 1980 - entrance gate to the plantation bought by St. Brides Major Council. Schoolchildren planted various spring bulbs some years ago.
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Marriage
of H.R.H. Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer at
St. Paul's Cathedral on 29th July, 1981 – opposite side to quarry alongside
B4265.
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Wards of the Parish - by War Memorial, junction of Southerndown Road and Ewenny Road. Three trees were planted to represent St. Brides Major, Ogmore-by-Sea, and Southerndown; two remain.
European
Year of the Environment 1987-88 –
same side as quarry alongside
B4265.
These were purchased and planted thanks to co-operation between St. Brides Major Community
Council, Ogmore Commoners Association, Ogwr Community Environmental Improvement
Scheme and the EEC, County Council and Borough Council.
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In
memory of David Canning (1985-1991)
- school grounds. An Ornamental Cherry tree was planted near the
entrance.
David, who lived in St. Brides Major and was a pupil of the school, died
of meningitis at the age of six.
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Millennium -
same side as quarry alongside B4265.
Owing to the foot and mouth
crisis and exceptionally bad weather, it was not until the end of 2001 that St.
Brides Major Community Council were able to plant 11 trees to mark the year 2000.
Unfortunately, eight disappeared and one was partially uprooted, leaving
only two to commemorate the Millennium. It
seemed a planned theft because the ties and stakes were taken too.
As the trees were donated, it made their loss even more disappointing.
However, the Community Council planted replacements in the Spring of 2002
and hopefully future generations will be able to enjoy these.
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Millennium Trees |
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St. Brides Major Church in Wales School Gardening Club (set up in 1996) An open day was held at the school on 25th March, 2002, when everyone was welcome to go along and help with planting a senses garden to complement butterfly, Mediterranean, Easter and organic vegetable gardens, as well as a woodland and nature reserve.
Some of the money won by the school for collecting the most Yellow Pages for recycling (in total and per head) was used to purchase plants for this innovative project. Pupils planted and maintained the plots by gardening at lunchtimes as well as during family/community gardening evenings. Their hard work paid off when they came first out of 1,000 schools throughout Britain in the Royal Horticultural Society Greenfingers Challenge (the aim of the award being to promote life-long commitment to environmental improvement). Also in 2002, the school won the Wales in Bloom final.
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(more photos on School Gallery page) |
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Old Castle Down Common, St. Brides Major. Work was undertaken in early 2005 under the approval of the Countryside Council for Wales and the Environmental Agency to cut back certain areas of bracken, brambles and scrub to provide suitable habitat for fritillary butterflies. The specialist area with SSSI classification was provided to encourage the breeding of some of the less common butterflies of the United Kingdom.
St. Bridget's Cross, in May 2006 - outside the plantation near the Church. Created by Year 2 local schoolchildren using flowers and plants within a bedding scheme, underneath the tree planted by the first Headmaster, Mr. E. Hayden. St. Bridget, the Patron Saint of the village, is said to have visited the sick of the locality.
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St. Bridget's Cross |
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DUNRAVEN PARK, SOUTHERNDOWN
Victorian walled gardens restored by the Heritage Coast.
Golden Jubilee of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 - Members of Southerndown WI are hoping to plant yellow roses in celebration of this event.
OGMORE CENTRE TRUST, OGMORE-BY-SEA
Garden constructed with a unique sundial to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.
If
you know of any trees or special plantings that you would like to be mentioned,
please e-mail the Editor. If you
have photograph/s of them (or any of the above) we could use, even better.
If you know the varieties give yourself a pat on the back and let us know
too!!!