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Lynne Gornal                                                                                                                                                                                 April 2015

What a wonderful site and resource the Beaufort Hill Ponds reserve and Woodland is! Just wanted to say thank you for an excellent visit there last weekend (Sat 28 March) with the Community Woodland assoc (Llais y Goedwig). Despite the rain, Roy, John and colleagues led us through the area and its features, and introduced Dafydd Fryer from Natural Resources Wales who gave a really inforrmative talk about the role of woodlands, and the unique Valleys landscapes, corridors of urban green. The work of the Beaufort Ponds Woodland Association has been really impressive, including the contribution of volunteers and members, and the whole site is a huge achievement. We were very appreciative of the hot drinks and welcome laid on at a nearby community hall and chance to meet others. We'll remember that day for a long time and hope we can link in with the group again at some stage and stay in contact (my email is above). Thanks again, and well done everyone!  Lynne & Roger

 

Helen & Paul Payek                                                                                                                                                                     June 2014

Our first visit to the woodlands and we found it a very peaceful and beautiful place.  We managed to get some good photos of butterflies and moths, which we would like to share with you.  Please can you email us an email address, so we can forward them.

Thank you

 

Alan Edwards                                                                                                                                                                     September 2012

Only just stumbled onto your site, i was  totally suprised at the pictures of the area, I lived in lansbury terrace untill 1961, i’ve many happy memories of playing and fishing in the boat pond and the black pond, congratulations to all who worked so hard to transform the area to it’s present condition,i shall be visiting shortly, thank you for an excellent site

 

Emma Williams                                                                                                                                                                       August 2010

After living on Llangynidr Road for 21 of my 28 years I have fond memories of 'the mountain' from feeding the horses and ducks with my nan to playing with my friends and walking the dog. And now living back on Llangynidr Road I regulary feed the ducks with my daughter, we have family walks with the dog who enjoys it just as much as us. I hope my daughter will be able to have childhood memories as fond as mine of 'the mountain'.    

 

Gareth Hopkins                                                                                                                                                                             July 2010

I'm fortunate to be living close to the entrance to this this fantastic area and I love it. I have seen it develop over the past 8 years and having just found this web site dedicated to the woodland i am proud to show it off to people I know.

 

Rob Smith                                                                                                                                                                                        May 2010

The cuckoo is about; I've heard him/her singing quite a few times over the last two weeks. There are also two broods of mallard ducklings on the Black Pond, a pair with one female and eight with another.

 

Justin Thomas                                                                                                                                                                             April 2010

As another Beaufort boy , I would like to congratulate everyone concerned on the fantastic job being done. I used to play around the ponds as a child, and was upset when I heard that the ponds may be drained several years ago. Each time I come home I notice remarkable progress,together with the return of wildlife

Regards                       Justin Thomas   QLD Australia

 

John Currie                                                                                                                                                                           February 2010

I just stumbled across your site and it brought back many memories. I lived at "Hillcrest", Beaufort Hill, as a small boy from 1957 (or58) to 1962. (Next door to "the Duke", now gone, I am told). My Dad worked at Richard, thomas & Baldwins (also gone) and we moved away back to the north of England when he passed away in 1962. I will never forget the wonderful times I had as a child playing by the ponds.

Thank you for keeping this a special place and reminding me of it.

 

Brian Jennings                                                                                                                                                                       January 2010

I only happened across the web site by accident. I had no idea this was going on. I have to say that it looks like you have worked wonders with the ponds and surrounding area. I shall have to pay a visit (and dig out my old rod – fishing is still ok I take it).

Though the use of names upper and lower puzzle; why was the Black pond renamed?

               

Tracey Davies-Weir                                                                                                                                                                  March 2009

I was out for a walk with my husband tonight and we could see a colourful sign in the distance. We walked up to it and discovered it was a woodland walk. I have lived in Ebbw Vale for 20 years and didn't know this place existed.

I wrote down this web address and couldn't believe what I'd been missing when I looked at the site.

I will be visiting again and staying longer next time.

 

Neil Roberts                                                                                                                                                                            March 2009

Hi ALL..Went for bike ride this morning (1st in 2years!) around the old Dram Road over to Brynmawr then back round Boat pond areas.. FANTASTIC work & well worth taking in by cyclists & walkers alike...

CONGRATULATIONS.

 

Jeff Davies                                                                                                                                                                           February 2009

How fantastic to see my 'playground' being preserved and enhanced by all your hard work. I spent my childhood playing on the 'mountain' after being born in Beaufort.

I still think of it as home and have many warm and happy memories. It's wonderful to think many generations will also have such a wonderful space in which to wander and enjoy.

 

Andy King                                                                                                                                                                          November 2008

I just read your news article on the new benches. How lovely it is to see young people getting involved in their community.

Well done to the Griffiths boys Gareth and Richard, keep up the good work lads.

 

 Ian James B.E.M FRGS                                                                                                                                                     September 2008

Well what a super site. I was born and raised in Beaufort, 1950 onwards. Dad lived in No 5 t he Rise opposite cafe. I live away now yet seeing the site reminds me of what a lovely place it has become. Great to see such dedication from all those involved in project and website. Please keep up the good, no GREAT work.

 

Alfie Griffiths                                                                                                                                                                          August 2008

Hi! Its Alfie, how r u? just to say I love going up and have a walk around the ponds and I mostly go up with Des Markey (a member) also I am a member of Beaufort Hill Ponds & Woodlands Preservation Society, some of your members might see me there often. It is nice and peacful and It is nice to see all kinds of nature and flowers also some ducks and it is good to see that people are using the litter bin up by the top pond. Very clean and ideal for the little forest at the back (i never been up there on my own yet) but I have before, me, my brother and my dad did cross country running up there once and it is nice so it don't keep you board and you can get more exercise and it good for kids so they see diffrent things and also the best bit is for walking the dogs and the bin is ideal and I am sure in 5 years time it will be 10/10 and I think it is 10/10 now.

Yours Sincerly, Alfie Griffiths

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Margaret Davies                                                                                                                                                                          July 2008

I have looked around you wonderful website and I most certainly will be coming up to visit your woodland,I have always loved wildlife and recently through springwatch on BBC I purchased a camera and have been taking photos of the wonderfull things I have seen out and about,now after my scan through your site I am longing to come up a photograph your lovely place(especially the wildlife)

 

Neil Charles Roberts                                                                                                                                                                  April 2008

Hi ALL.. Been for another walk(Can't keep away) around The Boat & Black Ponds this afternoon with my boy & my camera.. FANTASTIC area fair play, congratulations to ALL concerned for the keeping up etc of The Area. I have plenty of pic'c & link on my Blog site which is being visited from different area's of the glob & also people who have visited the area from Wales after reading about it on the Blog.. Keep it going... ncrobo.blogspot.com

 

Sheila Holmes                                                                                                                                                                       February 2008

Hi, Had a quick look at the web site, it's very impressive and interesting. I thought that I had better mention the spelling mistake to the artist metalworkers name. It is Saraj Guha. I hope this is easy enough to amend.

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Gareth Morgan, M.B.E.                                                                                                                                                      November 2007

I have only recently been given your Newsletter, and today I went on your Webpage. What you have achieved is tremendous, and to be congratulated for work which has been carried out at the project.

As a boy in the 40's and living in the top end of Brynmawr, the Eastern part part of your site was our play ground.

With your development and Parc Nant y Waun, it shows what a body of good and sincere volunteers can do to keep our heritage alive for others in thefuture.

ASAP I will be taking a walk around the Beaufort Hill Project.

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Rob Smith                                                                                                                                                                           November 2007

I've just returned from the Welfare Hall where the Society is holding its Open Day. Well done to all concerned; it was a very interesting and informative presentation!

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Michelle Thomas                                                                                                                                                             September 2007

I worked with the schools and Suraj Guha as part of my community development placement with BGCBC regeneration department(as part of the Blaenau Gwent Biodiversity Action Grants -'BAGs) It is so lovely to see the finished designs and see that Suraj has so sympathetically translated the childrens designs, particularly those of the Pen Y Cwm pupils(who i had the pleasure of working with). I had a brilliant time working on this project and highly commend the website too! Its a fantastic amenity for the community of Beaufort and other areas too! please use this site!

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Jane H Adrian                                                                                                                                                                             July 2007

The woodlands and paths look great - its really transformed the area from what I remember as a child. The work that your organisation has done is really commendable. It's such hard work and a real credit to all those involved. I work for a Scottish community woodland and I know full well how much time and effort it takes to get things done. Well done to everyone involved. Keep up the good work and the momentum. I really look forward to coming 'home' and visiting it before too long.

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Jeff Herridge                                                                                                                                                                                July 2007

Ive just discovered your sites(electronic & woodland) Great to see local people take an active interest in their community, It looks fantastic, you deserve it . WELL DONE !!!!!!!!!

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Elizabeth                                                                                                                                                                           July 2007

I haven't visited the area yet but your web site is lovely to read, loads of info. thank you.

 

Claire Henry-Davies                                                                                                                                                                    July 2007

What a pleasure it was to take my 18 month old daughter for a walk in the Beaufort Woodland -the site was easily accessible and ideal for a pushchair!Congratulations and well done to all those people who have worked so hard to construct such a beautiful area for us all the enjoy. Thank you!

 

Neil Charles Roberts                                                                                                                                                                    May 2007

Great site and Fantastic work being carried out in the surroundings of The Boat & Black Ponds. Are there plans to place 'Angling Pegs' around the two ponds in the future? Will the two Ponds be cleaned out and replenished with stocks of fish?

 

Tony Evans                                                                                                                                                                                    May 2007

I've been working in the area today laying a path at the rear of Little Lane. Its a pleasure to see the diversity of birds and to add to an earlier list I saw a Great Crested Grebe. I'm happy to be working on a worthwhile project to support preservation of the area.

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Nicholas Beswick                                                                                                                                                                          April 2007

The first breeding bird survey visit was conducted on Good Friday. The following were recorded: Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goosander, Coot, Moorhen, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Wren, Goldcrest, Great Tit, Crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, House Sparrow, Reed Bunting. No summer visitors have arrived yet but we expect to see them on our next visit.

 

Nicholas Beswick                                                                                                                                                                 February 2007

Graham Hughes, Roy Lynch and I recorded the following birds in the park this morning: Little Grebe, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Skylark, Stonechat, Robin, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Dunnock, Wren, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Magpie.

Mark Jones                                                                                                                                                                             February 2007

I've lived near the Lower Pond since 1990 and I'm very relieved this work is being done to preserve and improve this beautiful area. I'll be using the path weekly. Are there any plans for a shelter to protect walkers from a sudden downpour ?

 

David Williams                                                                                                                                                                      February 2007

Excellent website; Good to see a wildlife habitat in Beaufort protected from the 'Builders'.

And yes,Rob-to some of us, it always will be the 'Blackie' or Black pond.

 

Rob Smith                                                                                                                                                                           November 2006

It's great to see the work that the Society is doing to preserve this beautiful area.

One query: hasn't the "Upper Boat Pond" always been called the Black Pond?

Another: who remembers Parfitt's pond?

 

David Roberts                                                                                                                                                                       November 2006

Congratulations on rescuing this local 'landmark' from the clutches of the evil ones (aka mr Moffett and Corus) - glad it hasn't gone the same way as (for example)  The RTB's club and the surrounding area.-- WELL DONE --

 

Shadan Wasim                                                                                                                                                                    November 2006

I'm incredibly happy that something is finally being done to preserve the beautiful woodlands that this part of the country has.

 

Ceri Emanuel                                                                                                                                                                         October 2006

I'm amazed to see the transformation of the area in which I was brought up.

Keep up the good work!

 

Bioeddie                                                                                                                                                                                  October 2006

Hi, this is a nice looking site. just a pity others can't keep the beauty of Ebbw Vale alive