Hafren Forest
Encyclopedia
The Hafren Forest lies North-West of Llanidloes
, an ancient market town situated in Mid-Wales.
Covering around 40 square kilometres, and consisting of mainly Pine
and Spruce
trees, the Forest
takes its name from the Afon Hafren (River Severn
) which rises in a deep peat bog
approximately 800m outside its western boundary high on the slopes of the highest mountain, Pumlumon, in Mid Wales.
The creation of the Forest, in 1937, involved the purchase of 12 upland sheep farms, including "Rhyd y Benwch" which now forms the base for a car park and picnic area in the forest.
Although the farms were not left derelict, they could simply not provide enough accommodation for forest workers. An answer was needed; at first, with the initial small size of the forest, enough local workers could be found. Later, due to the low population density of the area, it was essential to transport workers to the site by "motor lorry" from Llanidloes. This option was obviously unsustainable, and in 1948, the Forestry Commission
decided to build a village
, specifically for the purpose of housing forestry workers. They employed an eminent architect, Mr T. Alwyn lloyd of Cardiff
, to produce plans for a village that would eventually comprise of 80 houses, a village shop, school and hall. As a first development, 20 houses were built on the site, along with 8 more a few miles away: these provided accommodation for half the workers. Construction began in 1949, with the first houses being occupied in 1951. The water supplies for the village, known as Llwyn-y-gog, were provided for with the damming of a nearby mountain stream.
, and habitat for wildlife. The Red Kite
being seen in the area, along with many other birds, plants and animals. There are many walks in the forest, with the addition of many bridleways, making it popular for Mountain biking and Horse riding, "The Source of The Severn" being a popular walk along with the "Severn Breaks its Neck" and "The Blaenhafren Falls" walks.
The Hafren Forest is also a popular location for many motorcross and 4x4 championships and rally events.
The quarry where BAe
had its base is now a "Centre for Explosion Studies" in connection with Aberystwyth University's Combustion Physics Group.
Llanidloes
Llanidloes is a town along the A470 road and B4518 road in Powys, within the historic county boundaries of Montgomeryshire , Mid Wales.It is the first town on the River Severn...
, an ancient market town situated in Mid-Wales.
Covering around 40 square kilometres, and consisting of mainly Pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
and Spruce
Spruce
A spruce is a tree of the genus Picea , a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal regions of the earth. Spruces are large trees, from tall when mature, and can be distinguished by their whorled branches and conical...
trees, the Forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
takes its name from the Afon Hafren (River Severn
River Severn
The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain, at about , but the second longest on the British Isles, behind the River Shannon. It rises at an altitude of on Plynlimon, Ceredigion near Llanidloes, Powys, in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales...
) which rises in a deep peat bog
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
approximately 800m outside its western boundary high on the slopes of the highest mountain, Pumlumon, in Mid Wales.
History
The Forest, planted in 1937, is continually changing with deforestation and planting of trees. The Forest is also home to Bronze Age copper and lead mines, most notably "Nant yr Eira" and possibly "Nant yr Rickett".The creation of the Forest, in 1937, involved the purchase of 12 upland sheep farms, including "Rhyd y Benwch" which now forms the base for a car park and picnic area in the forest.
Although the farms were not left derelict, they could simply not provide enough accommodation for forest workers. An answer was needed; at first, with the initial small size of the forest, enough local workers could be found. Later, due to the low population density of the area, it was essential to transport workers to the site by "motor lorry" from Llanidloes. This option was obviously unsustainable, and in 1948, the Forestry Commission
Forestry Commission
The Forestry Commission is a non-ministerial government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. Its mission is to protect and expand Britain's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment....
decided to build a village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
, specifically for the purpose of housing forestry workers. They employed an eminent architect, Mr T. Alwyn lloyd of Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, to produce plans for a village that would eventually comprise of 80 houses, a village shop, school and hall. As a first development, 20 houses were built on the site, along with 8 more a few miles away: these provided accommodation for half the workers. Construction began in 1949, with the first houses being occupied in 1951. The water supplies for the village, known as Llwyn-y-gog, were provided for with the damming of a nearby mountain stream.
Present day use
Although the forest is still producing timber for the Forestry Commission, it has also developed as an important local tourist attractionTourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities....
, and habitat for wildlife. The Red Kite
Red Kite
The Red Kite is a medium-large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards, and harriers. The species is currently endemic to the Western Palearctic region in Europe and northwest Africa, though formerly also occurred just...
being seen in the area, along with many other birds, plants and animals. There are many walks in the forest, with the addition of many bridleways, making it popular for Mountain biking and Horse riding, "The Source of The Severn" being a popular walk along with the "Severn Breaks its Neck" and "The Blaenhafren Falls" walks.
The Hafren Forest is also a popular location for many motorcross and 4x4 championships and rally events.
The quarry where BAe
Bae
Bae, also often spelled Pae or Pai, is a unique Korean family name. The South Korean census of 2000 found 372,064 people by this surname, or slightly less than 1% of the population....
had its base is now a "Centre for Explosion Studies" in connection with Aberystwyth University's Combustion Physics Group.
External links
- http://www.llanidloes.com/hafren_forest/index.html