Just a Quick Note – 20/09/2018
This is a copy of the eNewsletter sent out to all members on 20th September 2018
The e-newsletter of the Twmbarlwm Society
Hello Folks,
As the memories of the long hot summer and the mountain fires start to fade into the distant past, we are still contending with the consequences.
If you have visited the Twmp recently I’m sure you realise how fragile the surface is up there – there are areas where the fire just took the top off the grass and heather leaving the roots undamaged – indeed those areas are already showing signs of regrowth.
But there are areas where the fire took firm hold and has burned down deep into the substrate taking out root systems and turning the soil to barren dust. To make matters worse those areas are now being further eroded by the wind and rain and, dare I say it, too many people wandering around exploring the burnt areas and there is evidence of motorbikes and quads being driven around up there too. These people must be reminded that it is illegal to damage a Scheduled Monument in any way.
What is being done?
CTS has had several meetings on the mountain with officers from Cadw to establish the extent of the damage caused by the fires to the Scheduled Ancient Monument and the effects on the underlying archaeology. These meetings have also involved the ecology officer for CCBC and an experienced landscape engineer whose services Cadw has used on many of their historical sites.
A report has been produced describing the damage and setting out a proposal for emergency measures to repair and protect the monument. The report is available to download on our website (go to http://bit.ly/reseed_report) if you are interested, but the general conclusions are that much of the area of the SAM should recover in time as the underlying seed bank has not been greatly affected. However, there are significant areas, notably the steep sides of the mound and the crests of the surrounding ramparts, where the fire has burned through all organic matter down to the underlying mineral substrate.
Therefore it has been proposed that the severely damaged areas should be re-seeded with native species grasses as soon as possible to help minimise the erosive effect of the coming winter weather.
How you can help.
CTS has offered to pay towards the cost of the seed – the Landowners and Cadw will hopefully make up the difference. And we will be calling for volunteers to come along and help us in broadcasting the seed on the mountain top – the date is yet to be decided but is likely to be Sunday 7th October – I will let you know when this date is confirmed.
After the first application of seeds the site will be monitored to check the success of the growth and if it is felt necessary there will be a second re-seeding towards the end of October for which we will call upon volunteers once more. And whilst the seed is trying to take hold we will be asking the public to keep clear of the newly planted areas.
Drone Survey
You no doubt will recall that we commissioned an Archaeological Drone Survey of Twmbarlwm just a couple of months ago. This gave us a great new insight into what may lay beneath the landscape and now that the surface has been scoured by the fire it gives the archaeologists of Cadw the opportunity to examine the landscape even closer. Therefore another Drone Survey will soon be completed covering the same area – these surveys will prove an invaluable record for future research.
Archaeology
There have been rumours on social media of archaeological digs being planned on the mountain. There is no foundation for these rumours and any such work would only come about under the auspices of Cadw. Again the amateur archaeologists and metal detectorists out there should be reminded that it is illegal to damage a Scheduled Monument.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday 26th September 2018
Illustrated talk at Crosskeys RFC
TWMBARLWM – FROM PREHISTORY TO THE 21st CENTURY
Presented by Amelia Pannett and Will Davies (archaeologists with Cadw)
7:00pm
This talk will use many new images taken from a recent archaeological drone survey of the mountain and it will shed light on the monument’s history from the Bronze Age burials and the Iron Age fortifications to the Norman reuse of the hillfort and the more modern management of the landscape.
Will and Amelia are both archaeologists with Cadw so you can be sure of a well informed, interesting evening.
Click through to our website for more information.
https://www.twmbarlwm.co.uk/twmbarlwm-prehistory-to-21st-ce…/
Help us publicise this event by printing out the attached poster and displaying it where it will be seen.
BONUS EVENT
Saturday 29th September
WALK & TALK on TWMBARLWM
with Amelia Pannett
Following on from their talk on Wednesday, Amelia and/or Will will lead a walk on Twmbarlwm to point out some of the archaeological features that are discussed in the talk.
Meet at the car park below the Tump at 10:30
This walk will only go ahead if enough people register an interest on the night of the talk.
Sunday 30th September
LITTER PICK AND VOLUNTEER DAY
10:30am
Last Sunday of every month is our Monthly Litterpick and Volunteer Day – meet at the car park below Twmbarlwm 10:30am.
We collect litter from the area immediately around the car park and some of us walk around the wider area to check out fences, paths etc. and effect any repairs if we are able.
Tools, Pickers, Bags and Gloves will be supplied – but more importantly tea and biscuits will be provided for everyone who helps out.
This is a great opportunity to meet other members and learn more about the area and the work that the Society gets involved with.
If you prefer not to drive up the mountain yourself we can often arrange pick ups at Risca Leisure Centre at 10:15am – please contact us to let us know if you would like a lift or indeed if you could offer others a lift.
Sunday 7th October 2018 (this date is yet to be confirmed)
TWMBARLWM – RE-SEEDING THE TWMP
As described above we need volunteers to help broadcast grass seed around some of the fire damaged areas of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. This is to help rejuvenate the areas that are not likely to recover of their own accord.
We hope to be joined by volunteers from other societies and there will be experts on hand to advise on how to spread the seed for best results.
This is a very important occasion that the community can help with to bring back our local iconic mountain to its former glory after the devastating fires of the summer of 2018.
ALSO – please remember that the society is paying part of the cost of these repairs so your annual membership subscription is a vital part of this project. If you would like to contribute further to this project you can do so on our website or there will be collecting buckets available on the day.
Monday 12th November 2018 (TBC)
CTS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
There will be a report of the Society’s work over the last year and Members will be asked to elect Trustees for the coming year. The Society needs the Membership to get involved.
Crosskeys RFC – 7:00pm for 7:30pm
More info will be on our website and Agenda will be sent out closer to the date.
Monday 3rd December (TBC)
TUMP XMAS QUIZ
The annual “IT’S NEARLY CHRISTMAS TUMP QUIZ NIGHT” – with wonderful prizes and a fabulous trophy up for grabs. Get a team together and start revising NOW!
Crosskeys RFC – 7:00pm for 7:30pm
More info available on our website.
Many Regards
TERRY EVANS
Chairman Cymdeithas Twmbarlwm Society
Address general queries to: twmbarlwmsociety@gmail.com
Those who follow our Facebook page or the “Friends of Cwmcarn Forest Drive” page are also invited to consider becoming “paid-up” members and/or take part in our projects – if you know any of them please pass this on.
I also repeat my request for persons who might have special skills or knowledge to help run the Society or assist with our projects such as archaeology or wildlife and environmental, to please get in touch.
Getting to the car park
For the Events starting at the car park on Twmbarlwm, if you would prefer to have a lift there please get in touch with me at the address below and I’ll try to arrange transport for you – or if you are able to offer transport to others also let me know. There are maps and descriptions how to get there on our website – under the menu tab “Location”
These details are posted on our website and on FaceBook – but if you know of anyone who is interested but don’t get their news through the internet – could you please let them have a copy of this message.
