Following the government announcements with regards Covid-19, Cardiff Council has suspended all non-essential meetings and gatherings for the time being.  This is not a decision taken lightly but is intended to safeguard staff and volunteers as across the Council.

We obviously have no idea how long these measures will last and will let you know as soon as we can resume normal Workdays. In the meantime, take care of yourselves and your families and we will see you all soon.

Works are expected to last from February to June 2020 and include complete renewal of all drainage and electrics, as well as re-structuring and redecorating the building.

As part of the HLF work, the car park in Parc Cefn Onn will be closed for up to 5 days from Monday 24^th February. This is due to grounds works that are taking place and run across the car park towards the railway line. If the work is completed sooner than planned the car park will of course reopen earlier. The car park will be fully reopened from Saturday 29^th.

At no point will the park be closed to pedestrians.

Whilst the work is being carried out the Friend’s bench shall be removed for safe keeping as will the noticeboard next to it. They shall be reinstalled at the end of the project.

We have received notification that the contractor will be commencing work on the office/toilet building refurbishment at Parc Cefn Onn on Monday 17^th February. The work will take approximately 4 months to complete and during this time the toilets and car parking area to the left of the entrance road will be closed to the public. There will be no toilets available for public use at the park during this period.

The Friends are pleased to announce that, with the help of Julie Morgan (Assembly Member) and her office, Transport for Wales have agreed to our suggestion of Cefn Onn signage at Lisvane & Thornhill station. Six signs have been installed to encourage use of public transport by visitors to the Park. All involved were present for the unveiling this morning!

Many thanks TfW and Julie.

Twice!! Council property. Criminal damage. They are not cheap and Heritage Lottery money grant funded.

Yeay!!! Cardiff Council Parks Department announced this morning that “We are pleased to inform you that the landscape works at the Dingle at Cefn Onn have now been completed and the upper park will re-open to the public at around 10am on Wednesday 7th August 2019.

The project has been particularly complicated due to the difficulties in accessing the site with machinery and we are grateful for your patience during the period of closure.”

I would urge everyone to get up there and check it out – the improvements around the main pond, the paths, the banks, the Summer house (information boards still to be installed), and the new elevated walkway to get to the top field are fantastic. Do take in the view of the pond from the walkway!!

Also note that the Council have introduced a new ‘dog of leads’ policy in the upper ‘Dingle’ part the Park. This is to address the many complaints they (and us) receive each year and is a compromise between as it used to be and no dogs at all. We hope everyone will respect it and encourage others who maybe unaware to do the same.

Part 2 of the Project, which comprises refurbishing the building and toilets in the car park and installing mobility scooters, will commence in the autumn.

Enjoy!

Dry copy I know but here’s a quick summary of our AGM last week: I (Friends Chairman) gave a summary of all of the work the Friends Group have done to improve the Park this last year, current status of the phytopthora disease control measures, initiatives like the lower pond improvement project, successful application for the Green Flag Award for the 6^th year running, labelling the rare and interesting trees, producing a trees in Cefn Onn booklet, and wildflower planting. I also described how the Heritage Lottery funded project in the upper part of the Park was nearing completion and invited all attending the AGM for an exclusive behind the scenes guided tour by Rosie James (the project manager) on Monday this week (which was fab). Rob Blacklidge (Treasurer) reported on our independently audited accounts and current membership numbers. All Committee members were re-elected and a new member also joined the Committee. We then went to the pub to celebrate another very successful 12 months!