Cymdeithas Y Dalar - the Allotment Group
Mission statement
Cymdeithas y Dalar encourages a holistic approach based in best organic practice and aims to:
- support individuals and groups wishing to work the land entrusted to our care in environmentally sound and sustainable ways
- encourage the cultivation of a broad range of quality produce, both to promote a healthy diet and lifestyle and as a step towards food sustainability and regional self-reliance
- increase biodiversity and raise awareness of current environmental challenges
- foster mutual respect and co-operation within all sectors of the community through the experience of working together and the sharing of skills and knowledge.
Our History
Cymdeithas y Dalar, which grew from an idea put forward at the Transition Towns’ Open Space meeting in September 2007, was created to allow us to rent land to provide allotments for local people.
The beginnings were very optimistic; we received two offers of land within a few days of our first meeting and decided to accept the option provided by the National Trust at Home Farm, Dinefwr. We hoped that we would be able to start the following spring. Unfortunately, the reality proved to be much more difficult than we had imagined and at certain points very frustrating. Negotiations between the National Trust and the planning department of Carmarthenshire County Council dragged on and when we celebrated our first birthday we were still not certain if we would get onto the land anytime soon.
Eventually there was a break through, we were allowed to go ahead under the conditions that no buildings would be erected. On the 6th of January 2009 we finally signed the tenancy agreement and work on the site began with surveying, ploughing and rotovating. Plots were measured out and numbered and on the 19th of April 2009 the draw to assign allotments took place. All 61 plots were taken, with more people on the waiting list. Within weeks the site changed remarkably. Many visitors are surprised when they find out that we have only been on the site since April.
A Changing Panorama
The site in March 2009
... in June ....
... and October
Winter Solstice Party 2009
On the 20th of December we got together at Tywi Afon yr
Oesoedd's Carpenter workshop at Home Farm. Thanks to the frost this party was only for the
tough. Most people walked in with only a few drivers braving the icy roads. Even indoors, the temperature meant that most coats stayed on!
November 2009 - Food Market in Ferryside
Ferryside Community Allotments invited us to put up our display at Food Market held in Ferryside Village Hall on the 28th of November
First Harvest!
Tywi Afon yr Oesoedd Open Day
In October we were invited to present CyD at the Open Day at Home Farm
Autumnal Equinox Party 2009
On the 20th of September we met all together to celebrate, chat and relax
Newsletters
Our newsletters are available here for download. These documents require Adobe Reader.
Documents
A current list of officials is here
Also available here are:
For more information about the allotments scheme please contact Katka
at katka.d@btopenworld.com.
If you would like to become a member please contact Mags
at mags@gn.apc.org.