Cymraeg
Waste management firm helps provide facelift for 18th century weir at Wrexham beauty spot
Almost 250 years ago the iron master Isaac Wilkinson built a weir on the River Clywedog to supply water to the coal mine that fuelled his new iron works at nearby Bersham. Those iron works went on to play a key role in the industrial revolution; Isaac Wilkinson’s son John, known as “Iron Mad Wilkinson” pioneered the smooth boring of cannon and cylinders, that made possible the development of Watt’s steam engine. And cannon manufactured at Bersham were used across Europe, to dreadful effect, in the napoleonic wars.
Today the banks of the River Clywedog are altogether more peaceful, forming part of beautiful Plas Power Woods, which are in the care of the Woodland Trust (Coed Cadw). Isaac Wilkinson’s stone weir can still be seen and has been designated by Cadw (1) as a listed structure, but it is in need of serious repair and likely to deteriorate further without some careful attention.
The good news for all who appreciate Plas Power Woods and who take an interest in its colourful past is that waste management company, Cory Environmental (2), has stepped in and agreed to fund the repairs through its environmental body, Cory Environmental Trust in Britain (CETB) (3). CETB is contributing £62,020 towards the work, including some necessary repairs to the Victorian railings which form part of the boundary of the wood, and the control of invasive species such as the dreaded Japanese Knotweed along a section of Offa’s Dyke that runs through the wood.
The repairs to the weir are being undertaken by the local craftspeople, GH Lewis and Sons Ltd of Ruthin, while the work on the Victorian fencing is to be carried out by Flintshire Fabrications, based in Lloc near Holywell.
Ian Craven of Cory Environmental says: “Plas Power Woods are a wonderful asset for the local community, not just a favourite local beauty spot and a wildlife haven but also a life-size historical archive revealing so much about the area’s pioneering industrial past. We are delighted to be able to help the Woodland Trust in looking after this beautiful place and restoring its industrial heritage.”
Malcolm Ward of Cory Environmental Trust in Britain says: “The Trust is committed to funding projects that bring about maximum benefit to the community in the vicinity of Cory’s landfill sites. Plas Power Woods combines a fascinating industrial heritage with a beautiful environment and we are delighted that, through this project, local people will gain access to and have an increased knoweldge about such a fascinating site.”
The repairs to the weir will start on 28 September and will take until the end of October. Plas Power Woods will remain open throughout, though the path from Bersham Road will have to be closed for the duration of the work. The working area will be fenced off and the Woodland Trust is asking all visitors to follow any safety signs, and apologises for any inconvenience that this may cause.
For media enquiries contact:
Rory Francis (Publicity and Public Affairs Officer for Wales) on 08452 935 738 or 07760 171174 Afallon, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 3RH Email roryfrancis@woodland-trust.org.uk
Or The Woodland Trust Press Office email media@woodland-trust.org.uk or Tel 01476 581121
Or Angela Haymonds, Cory Environmental Trust in Britain on 01753 582513 or ajhaymonds@cetbritain.freeserve.co.uk.
Notes for editors
1. Cadw is the historic environment service of the Welsh Assembly Government. 'Cadw' (pronounced cad-oo) is a Welsh word meaning 'to keep'. More here.
2. Cory Environmental is one of the UK's leading recycling, waste management and energy recovery companies. Having been in business for over 100 years, today it manages in excess of 3.5 million tonnes of waste and recyclables each year. It operates across the country and employs over 1,000 people. More available here.
3. Cory Environmental Trust in Britain (CETB) is an Environmental Trust set up under the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) (formerly known as the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme) under the Landfill Tax Regulations 1996. Its funds are derived as a result of a tax placed on waste that is sent to landfill. CETB funds projects that bring benefit to the local community and which are within ten miles of an active landfill site. Project’s objectives must match one of the approved LCF criteria and may include refurbishment of churches or buildings of architectural or historical significance, or general amenity projects, such as the provision of play equipment, disabled access or improvements to parks and nature reserves.
Coed Cadw (The Woodland Trust)
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s awareness and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). These include over 100 sites in Wales, with a total area of 1,580 hectares (3,900 acres). It offers free public access to nearly all of its sites. Further news can be accessed via www.coed-cadw.org.uk The Trust adopted its Welsh language name in 2000: “Coed Cadw”. This is an old Welsh term, used in medieval laws to describe protected or preserved woodland.
English
Bywyd newydd i dirwedd a roddodd genedigaeth i’r chwildro diwydiannol
Cwmni rheoli gwastraff yn helpu rhoi hwb i gryw o’r 18fed ganrif mewn llecyn hardd ger Wrecsam
Bron i 250 o flynyddoedd yn ôl fe gododd y meistr haearn, Isaac Wilkinson, gryw ar Afon Clywedog i gyflenwi dŵr i’r pwll glo oedd yn darparu tanwydd i’w waith haearn newydd yn y Bers gerllaw. Fe aeth y gwaith haearn yma ymlaen i chwarae rhan allweddol yn y chwildro diwydiannol; mab Isaac Wilkinson, sef John, a adwaenid fel “Iron Mad Wilkinson” a ddechreuon y dull o lyfn-durio magnelau a silindrau, oedd yn golygu fod modd i Watt ddatblygu’r injan stêm. Defnyddiwyd magnelau a wnaed yn y Bers ar draws Ewrop, gan greu dinistr mawr, adeg rhyfeloedd Napoleon.
Mae glannau Afon Clywedog yn dawelach o lawer heddiw. Erbyn hyn maen nhw’n rhan o goedlan hardd Plas Power, sydd yng ngofal Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust). Mae cryw Isaac Wilkinson, a wnaed o gerrig, i’w weld o hyd ac erbyn hyn mae o wedi cael ei ddynodi gan Cadw (1) fel adeiladwaith rhestredig. Ond bellach mae o angen cael ei drwsio ac fe fydd yn dirywio ymhellach os na chaiff driniaeth arbennig.
Y newyddion da i bawb sy’n gwerthfawrogi coedlan Plas Power, a phawb sydd â diddordeb yn ei hanes lliwgar, ydi fod y cwmni rheoli gwastraff, Cory Environmental (2), wedi cytuno i ariannu’r gwaith a hynny trwy ei gorff amgylchedd, Environmental Trust in Britain (CETB) (3). Mae CETB wedi cyfrannu £62,020 tuag at y gwaith, ynghyd â gwaith angenrheidiol i drwsio’r hen rêling Fictoriannaidd sy’n ffurfio rhan o derfyn y goedlan, a rheoli rhywogaethau ymledol fel y clymlys sy’n tyfu ar hyd darn o Glawdd Offa sy’n rhedeg trwy’r goedlan.
Gwneir y gwaith ar y cryw gan grefftwyr lleol, GH Lewis a’i Fab o Ruthun, tra bod y gwaith ar y rheilin yn cael ei wneud gan Flintshire Fabrications, o Loc, ger Treffynnon.
Dywed Ian Craven o Cory Environmental: “Mae coedlan Plas Power yn gaffaeliad gwych i’r gymuned gyfan, nid yn unig fel llecyn hardd i bobl ymweld â fo a lle i fywyd gwyllt, ond hefyd fel archif byw, sy’n datgelu cymaint am hanes diwydiannol yr ardal. Rydym ni wrth ein bodd i fedru helpu Coed Cadw i edrych ar ôl y llecyn hardd yma ac adfer ei etifeddiaeth ddiwydiannol.”
Dywed Malcolm Ward o Cory Environment Trust ym Mhrydain: “Mae’r Ymddiriedolaeth wedi ymrwymo i ariannu prosiectau sy’n dod â’r lles mwyaf i gymunedau sy’n agos i safleoedd tirlenwi Cory. Mae coedwig Plas Power yn cyfuno etifeddiaeth gydag amgylchedd prydferth ac rydym wrth ein bodd y bydd pobl leol yn cael mwynhau a dysgu mwy am safle sydd mor ddiddorol.”
Fe fydd y gwaith trwsio ar y cryw yn dechrau ar yr 28 Medi ac yn mynd ymlaen tan ddiwedd mis hydref. Fe fydd coedlan Plas Power yn parhau ar agor trwy gydol yr amser, er y bydd rhaid cau’r llwybr o Ffordd y Bers yn ystod yr amser yma. Fe fydd Coed Cadw’n ffensio allan yr ardal lle mae’r gwaith yn digwydd. Mae’r elusen yn gofyn i welwyr ddilyn unrhyw arwyddion diogelwch ac mae’n ymddiheuro am unrhyw anghyfleuster a achosir.
Fe all y cyfryngau gysylltu â:
Rory Francis (Swyddog Cyfathrebu Cymru) ar 08452 935 860 neu 07760 171174 Afallon, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 3RH Email roryfrancis@woodland-trust.org.uk
Swyddfa’r wasg Coed Cadw yn Grantham ar media@woodland-trust.org.uk neu 01476 581121
Neu Anna Heslop, Swyddog Ymgyrchoedd Cymru ar 08452 935 735 neu 07824 416 518
Neu Angela Haymonds, Cory Environmental Trust in Britain ar 01753 582513 neu ajhaymonds@cetbritain.freeserve.co.uk.
Nodiadau i olygyddion
1. Cadw ydi gwasanaeth yr amgylchedd hanesyddol Llywodraeth y Cynulliad. Mwy o wybodaeth yma.
2. Mae Cory Environmental yn un o brif gwmnïau ailgylchu, rheoli gwastraff ac adennill ynni'r DU. Mae o wedi bod mewn busnes ers dros 100 mlynedd a heddiw mae’n rheoli dros 3.5 miliwn tunnell o wastraff a defnyddiau ailgylchu bob blwyddyn. Mae’n gweithredu ar hyd a lled y wlad ac mae’n cyflogi dros 1000 o bobl. Mae rhagor o wybodaeth ar gael yma.
3. Cory Environmental Trust in Britain (CETB) yw enw Ymddiriedolaeth Amgylchedd a sefydlwyd o dan Gronfa Cymunedau Tirlenwi (a adwaenid gynt fel y Landfill Tax Credit Scheme) o dan y Rheolau Treth Tirlenwi 1996. Mae ei arian yn ganlyniad i’r dreth ar wastraff a gladdir mewn safleoedd tirlenwi. Mae CETB yn ariannu prosiectau sydd yn dod â lles i gymunedau lleol sydd o fewn 10 milltir i safleoedd tirlenwi sy’n dal i gael eu defnyddio. Rhaid i brosiectau gwrdd ag un o’r gofynion a bennir gan LCF. Mae’r rhain yn cynnwys adfer eglwysi neu adeiladau o bwysigrwydd pensaernïol neu hanesyddol, neu brosiectau sy’n gwella mwynderau, megis darparu offer chwarae, mynediad i’r anabl neu welliannau i barciau neu warchodfeydd natur.
Coed Cadw (The Woodland Trust)
Coed Cadw yw’r elusen fwyaf yn y DU sy’n canolbwyntio ar warchod coedlannau. Mae ganddo 300,000 o aelodau. Mae gan y mudiad bedwar amcan sef: i) sicrhau na chollir rhagor o goedlannau hynafol, ii) adfer a gwella bioamrywiaeth coedlannau, iii) creu rhagor o goedlannau gyda choed brodorol a, iv) cynyddu ymwybyddiaeth pobl am goedlannau, a’u helpu i’w mwynhau.
Sefydlwyd Coed Cadw (neu’r Ymddiriedolaeth Coedlannau gynt) yn 1972. Erbyn hyn mae’n gofalu am dros 1,000 o safleoedd, gydag arwynebedd o 20,000 hectar (50,000 erw). Mae’r rhain yn cynnwys dros 100 o safleoedd yng Nghymru, gydag arwynebedd o 1,580 hectar (3,900 erw). Mae’r safleoedd hyn bron i gyd ar agor i’r cyhoedd. Gellir cael rhagor o newyddion ar wefan www.coedcadw.org.uk Fe fabwysiadodd Coed Cadw ei enw Cymraeg yn 2000. Hen derm Cymraeg yw “coed cadw” a ddefnyddiwyd yng nghyfreithiau’r Oesoedd Canol i gyfeirio at goedlannau a warchodwyd yn arbennig.