Treowen Community Hall management committee has given nature and the local community a boost thanks to a new garden scheme.

The Tyfu Treowen project has won the ‘Nature package’ through Keep Wales Tidy and the Welsh Government which includes planting 105 tree saplings, five fruit trees and a raised flower bed for the community to enjoy.

Chairperson Cheryl Jarman explained the Tyfu Treowen project started after a National Lottery-funded Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) was built.

“The newly-formed committee were looking at ways to soften the look of the MUGA and improve the land for nature and the community, so when the project was advertised on Facebook, I applied and was excited that we had been successful,” she said.

Rachel Palmer, Keep Wales Tidy project worker for Treowen, planned with a few committee members how the project will take shape while factoring in coronavirus restrictions.

She said: “The initial plan is to restore the hedgerow at the back of the hall as it became unkept over the years, we invited the children from Treowen Primary School to be involved to help plant the tree saplings.

“The school was happy to be involved and the classes came over in small bubbles throughout the day.”

Cheryl added: “We received great feedback from the school that the children really enjoyed choosing a tree from the different varieties and being hands on planting, which they will always remember. Also being able to take part safely in their local area, as they are limited due to the pandemic.

“We have received two SUDS rainwater planters which are stunning and a very clever idea. They are connected to the hall guttering and rainwater will collect in a drum inside the planter. The planters then become self-sustainable and provide drainage to areas where water tends to collect.

“We are thankful to Keep Wales Tidy and the Welsh Government for the funding. The Local Places Nature package means a lot to committee members as it is starting to have an impact.

“The community are showing an interest and the feedback is that we are making things happen for the people who live on Treowen, we have more to do and when Covid restrictions get better we encourage the community to come along to project days and be involved.”