As recently rumoured, I am now able to report that the West Wales Trust for Nature Conservation have successfully completed the purchase of a further 30 acres or so of Ffrwd Farm Fen Pembrey, to manage as a nature reserve. The General Committee of the Llanelli Naturalists investigated the possibility of buying the site alone) but reluctantly felt that the sum involved would be far too much of a millstone to the Society’s resources. An approach was made to the W.W.T.N.C., who have always been enthusiastic to acquire the fen, and following lengthy negotiations with the former owner regarding the purchase price, have now finally clinched the deal. Being the local County Conservation Trust, grant aid was available to them which would not have been forthcoming to the Llanelli Naturalists and, to date, over 80% of the money involved has been raised in this way. Principal grantors have been the Nature Conservancy Council, World Wildlife Fund, National Heritage Memorial Fund and Welsh Water Authority. In addition the Llanelli Naturalists have contributed £500. A management committee is to be set-up, our society will be well represented and by the time this newsletter reaches you, the first meeting should have taken place. It will be decided what work is required to maintain and improve the site for the benefit of its wild life. First priority is to continue the existing regime of winter grazing to maintain the rich flora which, of course, includes the Marsh Pea (Lathyrus palustris) but future development could include improvement and diversification of existing habitats to enhance the ornithological and entomological interest.
Those of you who are not yet familiar with the Ffrwd, will have the opportunity of seeing its rich flora and fauna at first hand on July 14th when there will be a joint meeting at the site, with the East Carmarthenshire section of W.W.T.N.C.
May I conclude by thanking the membership for their support in the past and now that spring is in the air, hope that the 1985 season will be as enjoyable and rewarding for the local naturalist as previous years have proved to be.
