Good news for valley park

Apr 24 2008 by Andrew Harrison, Glamorgan Gazette

PARC Calon Lan will be officially opened by BBC news anchor man Huw Edwards at 2pm tomorrow.

The £160,000 community woodland project in Blaengarw includes an ornate bench which depicts the history of the Garw Valley and the story of the hymn Calon Lan.

The Garw Valley Male Voice Choir and five primary schools will sing Calon Lan at the opening ceremony with First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Ogmore MP Huw Irranca- Davies and AM Janice Gregory also in attendance.

Garw Valley Community Council were responsible for the reclamation project which has transformed nearly 80 hectares of colliery and empty land into a green, woodland park.

Funding came from Cyncoed Woodlands for All and the Forestry Commission Wales through the European Union and Welsh Assembly Government.

Garw Valley Community Council clerk Wyn Davies said: “The Garw Valley woodlands project is proving to be an important catalyst for the regeneration of the area.”