Swiss Valley Five Oaks Nature Walk

Project Objective: To environmentally improve and develop the ravine area north of the Swiss Valley Community Centre, both as a pleasant walk and nature trail. Improvements would include general tidying of the area, installation of a metalled pathway and benches in a 'village green' setting with 'dry stone' walling and complimentary landscaping complete with displays depicting the flora and fauna of the area.

This green space is rich in flora and fauna and provides a 'green lung' for enjoyment by children and adults alike who live in the locality. Access to the area is currently difficult if not impossible for many during much of the year due to the uneven and muddy nature of the central footpath and overgrown stretches of pathway. Completion of the project would make the facility readily accessible to all throughout the year and would expand its use accordingly yet still maintain it as a habitat that will encourage even greater natural diversity.

Ongoing maintenance will be achieved through involvement of the
Swiss Valley CP School in nature study activities, including the installation of bird nesting boxes, together with involvement and support from groups using the Swiss Valley Community Centre and the Community Council.

Details of Funding To Help Establish Nature Trail

A Nature trail is in the process of being set up at Swiss Valley in Llanelli thanks to a cash injection. Finance from the 1Fund scheme will allow a ravine to the north of the local community centre to be developed into a countryside walking facility. The residents and community association in the area applied for the cash and have been awarded over £16k for the Five Oaks project. Llanelli Rural Council has also stepped in with £5k match funding for the scheme. The ravine is rich in flora and fauna but access to the area was considered difficult because of overgrown undergrowth and an uneven surface.

The new path now runs the whole length of the area and a village green zone at the top end of the Upper Ravine will eventually be developed with dry stonewalling and benches. Swiss Valley School will be actively involved in maintaining the nature trail through study activities and the installation of bird nesting boxes.

Now that tree felling has been completed, (no more trees are to be cut) it is very pleasing to see that several species of Woodpeckers have returned to the ravine. Sightings last year and (April 2007) include both the European Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) and the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major). A comprehensive list of birds and animals spotted in both Swiss Valley ravines can be viewed on our wildlife page.

Autumn 2008 (Latest news) A path has now been laid along the whole length of the upper part of the Ravine and topsoil has been placed along the sides. This will be followed later by planting of shrubs and trees. Wooden benches have already been installed on the 'Village Green', together with signs, depicting the varied wildlife living in and around the Ravine area. Coming soon...a quarterly newletter'. Yet another project is also in the pipeline, involving a 'revamp' of the area outside Swiss Valley shops (more details later). (Please click on the thumbnails to the left, in order to view larger images of 'before and after' the path was laid - Nov 2005 - January 2007).

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