Federation Quiz

Four members represented Whitchurch WI at the annual Federation Quiz.  We didn’t win but our score wasn’t too far behind the winners!

A day in the life of a Community Ranger

Rhodri Hughes, a Community Ranger, was our speaker at the November meeting. He told us that he started in the Parks Department, but is now a ranger working with community groups. Their prime focus is nature conservation and biodiversity improvement. The rangers manage a very large area: 407 hectares – the equivalent of 503 football pitches. There are 21 Green Flag sites in the UK and most are in Wales.

The Parks Department began in 1891 and was formed by the Pettigrew family. Pettigrew  was a pioneer gardener. Originally there were park keepers for every Cardiff park, and the last one of these retired in 2022. In 1979 the park keepers’ responsibilities became part of the local authority, and then they were renamed ‘rangers’ in the 1990s. There are three types of ranger: urban, woodland and community. 

Urban rangers cover a wider range of work than just gardening – such as dealing with fly tipping and rough sleepers. Woodland rangers are tree surgeons and highly trained. They are also responsible for the Radyr hydroelectric dam, and for Flat Holme and Steep Holme.

There are nine Community Rangers who work a seven-day week on rotation in all weather. Rhodri said that he finds it interesting and challenging work. They have won the Green Flag award for their guided walks, open days, work with kids, and school trips. They work with all ages – from little reception children to university students. Community rangers also work with volunteers and ‘friends’ groups. Some ‘friends’ groups have existed since the 1990s. Last year there were 4,282 volunteer hours of work completed. They also have working partnership with other organisations, such as Coed Caerdydd, The Local Nature Partnership, Cardiff Rivers Group, Cardiff Conservation Volunteers, charities, and corporate groups. Rangers also help with wildlife monitoring, such as surveys and recordings.

Rhodri has been a community Ranger since September and works a rota of eight days on, two days off; seven days on, four days off. He then gave us a glimpse of what eight days of work might look like:

1. wetland work in the morning and in the afternoon admin, such as answering emails.

2. a Halloween craft event for children, and looking at folklore and mythology.

3. a site meeting with management about the eviction of an unlawful occupation of council land in the morning, and in the afternoon grass cutting.

4. working with volunteers at Coed y Felin, Lisvane, putting up fencing to prevent erosion by people who don't keep to the paths.

5. sharpening tools, and an evening bat walk which 74 people attended in Hendre Park, St Mellons .

6. assisting storm response tree gangs dealing with fallen or dangerous trees, such as an old tree that had come down across the path at Forest Farm.

7. Meadow management and green hay trials. This is taking cuttings from one area with a lot of wildflowers to other areas with fewer wildflowers, such as taking mowings from Forest Farm and Grange Moore Park to other areas. The grounds maintenance team do most of the mowing.

8. working with Friends of Saint Mary's Gardens in Whitchurch. This friends group was started by WI members for the community and wildlife. It's won awards. This year it was very close to getting a level five, and that's what we're going for next year.

Diwrnod ym mywyd Ceidwad Cymunedol

Rhodri Hughes, Ceidwad Cymunedol, oedd ein siaradwr yng nghyfarfod mis Tachwedd. Dywedodd wrthym ei fod wedi dechrau yn yr Adran Barciau, ond ei fod bellach yn geidwad sy'n gweithio gyda grwpiau cymunedol. Eu prif ffocws yw cadwraeth natur a gwella bioamrywiaeth. Mae'r ceidwad yn rheoli ardal fawr iawn: 407 hectar – sy'n cyfateb i 503 o gaeau pêl-droed. Mae 21 o safleoedd Baner Werdd yn y DU ac mae'r rhan fwyaf ohonynt yng Nghymru.

Dechreuodd yr Adran Barciau ym 1891 a chafodd ei ffurfio gan deulu Pettigrew. Roedd Pettigrew yn arddwr arloesol. Yn wreiddiol roedd ceidwaid parciau ar gyfer pob parc yng Nghaerdydd, ac ymddeolodd yr olaf o'r rhain yn 2022. Ym 1979 daeth cyfrifoldebau ceidwaid y parciau yn rhan o'r awdurdod lleol, ac yna cawsant eu hailenwi'n 'geidwaid' yn y 1990au. Mae tri math o geidwaid: trefol, coetir a chymunedol.

Mae ceidwaid trefol yn cwmpasu ystod ehangach o waith na garddio yn unig – fel delio â thipio anghyfreithlon a phobl sy'n cysgu ar y stryd. Mae ceidwaid coedwig yn lawfeddygon coed ac wedi'u hyfforddi'n dda iawn. Maent hefyd yn gyfrifol am argae trydan dŵr Radyr, ac am Flat Holme a Steep Holme.

Mae naw Ceidwaid Cymunedol sy'n gweithio saith diwrnod yr wythnos ar gylchdro ym mhob tywydd. Dywedodd Rhodri ei fod yn ei chael hi'n waith diddorol a heriol. Maent wedi ennill gwobr y Faner Werdd am eu teithiau cerdded tywys, diwrnodau agored, gwaith gyda phlant, a theithiau ysgol. Maent yn gweithio gyda phob oed - o blant bach y dosbarth derbyn i fyfyrwyr prifysgol. Mae ceidwaid cymunedol hefyd yn gweithio gyda gwirfoddolwyr a grwpiau 'ffrindiau'. Mae rhai grwpiau 'ffrindiau' wedi bodoli ers y 1990au. Y llynedd cwblhawyd 4,282 o oriau gwaith gwirfoddol. Mae ganddynt hefyd bartneriaeth waith â sefydliadau eraill, fel Coed Caerdydd, Y Bartneriaeth Natur Leol, Grŵp Afonydd Caerdydd, Gwirfoddolwyr Cadwraeth Caerdydd, elusennau, a grwpiau corfforaethol. Mae ceidwaid hefyd yn helpu gyda monitro bywyd gwyllt, fel arolygon a recordiadau.

Mae Rhodri wedi bod yn Geidwad cymunedol ers mis Medi ac mae'n gweithio rota o wyth diwrnod ymlaen, dau ddiwrnod i ffwrdd; saith diwrnod ymlaen, pedwar diwrnod i ffwrdd. Yna rhoddodd gipolwg i ni ar sut olwg fyddai ar wyth diwrnod o waith:

1. gwaith gwlyptir yn y bore ac yn y prynhawn gwaith gweinyddol, fel ateb e-byst.
2. digwyddiad crefftau Calan Gaeaf i blant, ac edrych ar lên gwerin a mytholeg.
3. cyfarfod safle gyda'r rheolwyr ynglŷn â throi allan meddiannaeth anghyfreithlon o dir y cyngor yn y bore, ac yn y prynhawn torri glaswellt.
4. gweithio gyda gwirfoddolwyr yng Nghoed y Felin, Llys-faen, gan godi ffensys i atal erydiad gan bobl nad ydynt yn cadw at y llwybrau.
5. hogi offer, a thaith gerdded ystlumod gyda'r nos y mynychodd 74 o bobl yn Llanmelons Hendre.
6. cynorthwyo gangiau coed ymateb i stormydd sy'n delio â choed sydd wedi cwympo neu'n beryglus, fel hen goeden a oedd wedi dod i lawr ar draws y llwybr yn Forest Farm.
7. Rheoli dolydd a threialon gwair gwyrdd. Mae hyn yn golygu mynd â thoriadau o un ardal gyda llawer o flodau gwyllt i ardaloedd eraill gyda llai o flodau gwyllt, fel mynd â thoriadau glaswellt o Forest Farm a Pharc Grange Moore i ardaloedd eraill. Y tîm cynnal a chadw tiroedd sy'n gwneud y rhan fwyaf o'r torri gwair.
8. gweithio gyda Chyfeillion Gerddi Saint Mary yn Whitchurch. Dechreuwyd y grŵp ffrindiau hwn gan aelodau WI ar gyfer y gymuned a bywyd gwyllt. Mae wedi ennill gwobrau. Eleni roedd yn agos iawn at gael lefel pump, a dyna beth rydyn ni'n anelu ato y flwyddyn nesaf.

October 2025 meeting – The Taff from Source to the Sea

Keith Jones spoke to us about The Taff from Source to the Sea. We learnt that the River Taff starts in the Brecon Beacons, 873 m above sea level, as two separate rivers: the Taf Fawr whose source is near Pen y Fan, and Taf Fechan whose source is located near Corn Du. The Taff officially begins at the confluence of the two rivers, just north of Merthyr Tydfil. It then
flows south for approximately 42 miles (67 km), through several towns, including Pontypridd and Taff's Well, before ending in Cardiff Bay, where it empties into the Severn Estuary. 

Its catchment area is huge and up to 40 rivers join it by the time it reaches Pontypridd. Because of the geology of the Brecon Beacons rain does not soak in. It all goes into the Taff via 40 rivers by the time it reaches Pontypridd. There are three main reservoirs: Cantref, Beacons and Llwyn-onn.

Historically the river ran black due to intensive industry with the exception of miners' fortnight when the pits were closed. Its transformation is an environmental success. Flooding occurs often in Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil with Storm Dennis in recent times causing devastation.

Historically the river has been vital for industry and water supply – with numerous reservoirs built along its course – today it supports migratory fish like salmon and trout. The river valley boasts impressive structures including railway viaducts, historic bridges (like the iconic Pontypridd Bridge), remnants of iron works, and a preserved section of the world’s first passenger railway.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel altered the course of the River Taff in Cardiff in the mid-1800s to make way for his Great Western Railway, and to create a more suitable site for Cardiff Station. The river was moved west, away from its original course near Cardiff Castle, and now flows next to locations like Cardiff Arms Park and the Principality Stadium . This also provided a flood-free area for the new station.  

Though impacted by pollution incidents, the river has shown resilience, and continues to be an
important feature of the Welsh landscape. The Taff flows into Cardiff Bay, an artificial lake created by the construction of the Cardiff Bay Barrage in the 1990s, before flowing into the Severn Estuary.

Oakham Treasures

A group of eleven members enjoyed a trip to see the collection at Oakham Treasures, near Bristol. Transport was provided by V.E.S.T. It was the first time that we had hired them for transport and everyone agreed that the minibus was comfortable.

The collection includes a wide range of memorabilia: farm equipment, transport, everyday items, chocolate and other foods, clothing, tools, and all sorts of other items. It is all undercover, which was fortunate as it was a very rainy day, in one huge building with each section accessible by ramps. Every wall is decorated with posters and metal advertising plaques. 

The displays were artistically arranged. The tool collections in particular were presented in interesting pattern formations. Several people noticed how well-kept it all was. It was not dusty and looked as though it was displayed with pride and pleasure.

The all-important coffee bar / restaurant. Most people had a cooked lunch. There was a good choice and everyone declared the food to be good and reasonably priced. A most successful outing which everyone enjoyed.

 

Oakham Treasures (Cymraeg)

Mwynhaodd grŵp o un ar ddeg aelod drip i weld y casgliad yn Oakham Treasures, ger Bryste. Darparwyd cludiant gan V.E.S.T. Dyma'r tro cyntaf i ni eu llogi ar gyfer cludiant ac roedd pawb yn cytuno bod y minibws yn gyfforddus.

Mae'r casgliad yn cynnwys ystod eang o bethau cofiadwy: offer fferm, cludiant, eitemau bob dydd, siocled a bwydydd eraill, dillad, offer, a phob math o eitemau eraill. Mae'r cyfan dan do, a oedd yn ffodus gan ei fod yn ddiwrnod glawog iawn, mewn un adeilad enfawr gyda phob adran yn hygyrch gan rampiau. Mae pob wal wedi'i haddurno â phosteri a phlaciau hysbysebu metel.

Roedd yr arddangosfeydd wedi'u trefnu'n artistig. Cyflwynwyd y casgliadau offer yn arbennig mewn ffurfiannau patrwm diddorol. Sylwodd sawl person pa mor dda oedd y cyfan wedi'i gadw. Nid oedd yn llwchlyd ac roedd yn edrych fel pe bai wedi'i arddangos gyda balchder a phleser.

Y bar coffi / bwyty hollbwysig. Cafodd y rhan fwyaf o bobl ginio wedi'i goginio. Roedd dewis da a dywedodd pawb fod y bwyd yn dda ac am bris rhesymol. Trip llwyddiannus iawn a fwynhaodd pawb.

 

A walk around Forest Farm – Taith gerdded o amgylch Fferm y Goedwig

 

Four WI members enjoyed a guided tour of Forest Farm, led by committee member Sheila Austin. The weather was kind and everyone enjoyed a beautiful and informative walk.

Thank you to Glenys Care for the photos.

Mwynhaodd pedwar aelod o’r WI daith dywys o amgylch Fferm y Goedwig, dan arweiniad aelod y pwyllgor Sheila Austin. Roedd y tywydd yn garedig a mwynhaodd pawb daith gerdded hyfryd ac addysgiadol.

Diolch i Glenys Care am y lluniau.