A group devoted to maintaining an area of woodland in Llanfair Caereinion have started work on a number of projects funded by a £3,000 grant.

On Monday, November 18, Friends of Deri Woods held one of their last ‘Deri Days’ of 2024 as volunteers gave their time to carry out maintenance work in the Llanfair woodland.

Over the course of the day, the group focussed on two projects in preparation for works that will be funded by a Local Places for Nature Grant which comes from the Welsh Government and was awarded to FODW by Powys County Council.

The grant of £3,375 will cover the cost of a number of projects in the area such as new benches, improvements to steps in the woodland to make them safer for walkers and biodiversity initiatives.

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Writing on social media, Friends of Deri Woods said: “The money is being spent on things that either improve the site’s biodiversity or people’s experience when they visit the wood.

“This includes thinning of non-native conifers and beech trees followed by planting of sapling oak trees where the thinning has created gaps.

“To make getting around safer, the grant has funded gripper strips that FODW volunteers are fixing to the slippery railway-sleeper steps.

“The meadow area in the Gorsedd Stone Circle is getting some additional wildflower plants and seed, and the large beech trees that were overshadowing the circle have had some large branches removed to bring more light and rainfall to the meadow.”

The group had previously approached Llanfair Caereinion Town Council over funding the safety improvements to the 136 steps that weave through the area, with a plan to improve safety for walkers heading into the winter months.

READ MORE: Llanfair Caereinion council could pay to fix Deri Wood steps

The proposal was made alongside existing plans involving flower planting, tree thinning and repairing damage done to railings along pathways, but with funding secured Llanfair Council agreed that the cost of the works can now be covered by the grant.

The council minutes said: “The meeting was informed that with the help of Nick Burton (FODW) grant aid to cover all the works in the sum of £3,375 has been gained. The meeting agreed that the works can now progress.”

Friends of Deri Woods will be holding their last volunteer day of the year on December 16.