As part of the HLF improvements programme, Cardiff Council will be resurfacing a section of the pathway just beyond the underpass on Thursday 18^th July. Due to the nature of the work being carried out, and since this is the only main entrance into the lower part of the Parc, they will to have to close the park on the 18^th July. Obviously closure is essential, but I am sure you would agree the inconvenience will be worth it to improve the damaged pathway. The Council be putting signage up in the park and their webpage etc to advise of the closure. The park will reopen as normal at 7am on Friday 19^th July.

The Friends are very pleased to organise our popular guided tree walk with our expert Peter Kent again this year. Due to ongoing renovations in the upper part of the Park it will only take place in the lower part this year, but don’t worry, there is still LOTs of interesting and rare tree and shrub species to see. The event is free and open to all members and non-members. Meet in the Park car park just before 2pm.

Cardiff Council sign in Parc Cefn Onn this week says the closures start on 4th Feb and will be for approximately 4 months.

Cardiff Council have just announced (+Welsh) that the works to deliver major improvements to Parc Cefn Onn step up significantly next week. “The works are part of a National Lottery funded £660,000 project that will deliver a number of improvements to the Grade 2 listed, historic country park in north Cardiff and its facilities for visitors including better access, improved signage, improvements to the ponds and waterways and upgraded toilet facilities.” Although the Council don’t stipulate for how long, they do say that “During this time, the Dingle in the upper area of the park will be closed to the public. Access alongside the railway to the woodlands and footpath network beyond the park will remain open.”

To find out more about the project and to view a map showing the restrictions that will be in place from February 4, visit www.cardiff.gov.uk/parccefnonn.

Our calendar of Workdays for 2019 has now been set and agreed with the Council and our Park Ranger, Alec. The first two are on Sunday 27th January and Sunday 17th February. All Workdays are 2 – 4pm. Meet in the car park just before 2pm.  For details of what Workdays involve see the ‘Activities’ page above and for a full list of 2019 dates for your diary see the ‘Workdays’ page above.

Work using the HLF funding has finally commenced with repairs to the Summerhouse near the top pond.  Repairs have been made to the walls and flagstone floor and the oak roof frame is currently being fitted.

The council are part way through the process of evaluating the tenders submitted in respect of the remodelling of the toilets/amenity block and the combined landscape package comprising the pond works and path upgrade.  There is still a bit of work to be done before they are in a position to award contracts, but we hope that this will be soon.

Having had 8 weeks of almost all-to-wall sunshine we planed today’s work accordingly. Unfortunately a weekend of downpours meant all the fallen branches and leaves were immediately washed by the surface water into clogging up the drains and culverts. A very wet small team of 4 of us sorted all our drainage problems in the middle of this summer heatwave!

In our April Workday we dug over areas of the entrance field and planted a mix of wild flower seeds. Look what is blooming marvellous now when you enter the Parc!

Sorry to those present that the AGM venue was a little confused this year. When we arrived the hall was in use by the local dance group in what appeared to be a very unusual double booking. No problems though and we relocated to the next door library room. (Subsequently discovered that their booking was for the following week.) AGM went well thereafter and we received an update on the Heritage Lottery Funding project, our Park Rangers review of our last year,  adopted a resolutions such as approaching the Council with a car park security improvement option, and re-election of the existing Committee members. We do still need another Committee member or two though if anyone is interested?