Woodland Wonders, Paws For Your Pet, AUspicious AUtumnal AUgust & Weatherman Walking

Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
9^th August 2025

Woodland Wonders

Despite being accused of being a bit of a hermit, I always insist that I am not anti social, just pro solitude.  And one of the many things I love about my job is that I often don’t contact or hear from some people from one year to the next. Whilst I realise that sounds a bit strange, it is very much a seasonal thing.

As we approach apple juicing time, I have recently been in touch with Susy Arnold again – for the first time since this time last year.  Susy is the director and secretary of Sirhowy Hill Woodlands C.I.C and always a breath of fresh air to chat to.  Amongst many of the things she does, Susy and her ‘woodlands team’ take the apples that many of my clients don’t use, for juicing, and the apple juice is then sold in their shop to help fund various ‘Woodland projects’.  It’s a lovely way to avoid apples going to waste – and there is a bumper crop this year.

Rather humbly described as, ‘A community interest company run by committed volunteers, helped out by dog walkers and residents of the local surrounding communities,’ Sirhowy Hill Woodlands is a regenerated nature reserve in Tredegar.  I don’t have room on this page to explain everything they offer, have done and can do, but it covers just about everything woodland-ish, including carrying out City & Guilds trained work like timber extraction, first and second thinning, firewood generation and so many other essential woodland management tasks.  With more and more people buying little parcels of woodland, it is becoming more and important that they are managed properly – and with all their experience, Susy and team are perfectly placed to help with all that.

The fabulously developed site also boasts a tree nursery, a heritage orchard, a well-stocked shop, a community garden (producing copious amounts of veg) and they hold regular classes and workshops.  They also run events for the Community including woodworking and cookery events, produce giveaways and even offer resources to support a free Woodland Trust tree pack to inspire school children with outdoor learning.  They always have a number of exciting projects on the go and you could join them by becoming a volunteer or member – or both!

If you are interested in finding out more, they have a big free event planned on Sunday 7th September from 10am-4pm to celebrate nature, woodlands and the local community.  Of course, everyone is welcome.  I’m sure there will be apple juice.

Sirhowy Hill Woodlands CIC are currently celebrating receiving National Lottery funding to make their community woodland a safer, more welcoming, and better-used space for everyone. The ecology of the site will also benefit as they protect areas, attract new species and allow existing ones to thrive.  A TWIG grant was also used in a similar way as well, and to funding training, as they foster growth in every possible way.

It was lovely to catch up with Susy recently – even if it is only annually – and you can find out more about the fantastic woodland work and the history of the area and creation at  www.sirhowyhillwoodlands.co.uk   Or contact Susy directly with regard to ‘donating apples’ – or even time, money or expertise.  Thank you.

Paws For Your Pet

Tomorrow (10^th August) is National Spoil Your Dog Day, not to be confused with National Dog Day, which is on the 26^th August every year.

Of course, like many households, every day is ‘spoil your dog day’ at the cottage, for Yogi – ruler of the roost.  My world has, and continues to, revolve around her, possibly even more so since she began sashaying into her dotage.  It is a huge privilege to have a four-legged friend reach the Old Dog Arena but it comes with trials and tribulations too.  I have lost count of the sleepless nights I have had as a result of her being ‘not quite right’, and even regularly checking that she is still breathing.  Days are cloaked in a muddy mix of anxiety and gratitude, whilst all the time I continue to try to make the most of every day we have and make sure that every day is the best it can be for her.

Every morning we sit outside, sometimes watching the sun rise, both sitting quietly with our own thoughts as I massage her back legs and release any fascia and muscle tension, so she can be as comfy as possible during the day.  And then every evening we have a similar session and more ‘quiet time’ as I just stroke her and ‘just be’, often listening to her snoring deeply.

I suppose its like meditation for us both and of course there is lots of scientific evidence that stroking a pet calms both the giver and the receiver.  It has also occurred to me that our ‘down-time’ time is often time that many other people probably spend scrolling on their phones.

Entering my third year of ‘breaking up with social media’, I have realised just how much more time I have to spend doing the things that matter and that will contribute to meaningful memories rather than meaningless scrolling.  So even if you spoil your dog every day with walks, treats and toys, try swapping ten minutes or more of scrolling for ‘quality stroking time’ – to benefit you both.

AUspicious AUtumnal AUgust

Whilst August is considered to be a summer month, I always think it should be connected with autumn – mainly because of the ‘au’ bit.

My early mornings sitting outdoors with Yogi have felt very autumnal recently, with a chill in the air and often a light mist hanging over the mountains. My garden also has as many berries as flowers on display now – adding to that autumnal feel.  Anyway, whether summer or autumn, there is some interesting Welsh folklore associated with this month.

It is considered a lucky month for weddings and travelling, and children born under ‘golden August skies’ were believed to be very fortunate indeed.  On the other hand, fog in August is considered to be a sign of a severe winter with frost and snow.

This is also the month that sees the cuckoo packing up and heading off to sunnier climes, and therefore is associated with ‘endings’ and marking a change of seasons.  And possibly the weirdest folklore of all – people thought that eating cabbage in August was believed to attract death.

Weatherman Walking

Thank you to everyone who let me know that ‘my’ episode of Weatherman Walking was re-run last week.  First screened several years ago, I met Derek in Crickhowell and walked with him up to the Table Mountain and across to the Darren.  There I ‘confided’ in him that it was where I used to go to overlook and enjoy the Greenman Festival held on the Glanusk Estate down in the valley, without the crowds.  And, as he pointed out, without the cost too.

Apparently it has since become a popular spot to go and view the Festival, which coincidentally is being held next weekend.  Do enjoy the elevated view point if you fancy it and find it.  But I won’t see you there – I have found a new spot.  Pro solitude, remember!