Tafarn y Gelyn Pond - Contact David Clough via email: [email protected]
Tafarn y Gelyn Pond was originally restored and developed in 2003, following the diversion of the A494 out of Tafarn y Gelyn. At that time, it was part of a field that was an overgrown, low lying area that sometimes held water. Historic photographs show a wet area and it seemed a great opportunity to bring this back.
Landowner, Clwyd Griffiths, offered the community a long-term lease and under the management of the Llanferres Playing Field & Recreation Association. Grants were obtained to create a lined pond with steps down to a dipping platform, an accessible entrance path, a seating and interpretation board.
Photograph Circa 1920’s
The aims were to improve the appearance of the area, increase biodiversity and create an educational and informal recreation space. Over the years, pond dipping events and biodiversity surveys have taken place. Regular volunteer working parties have maintained the site.
In 2021 a major programme of improvement work was undertaken to replace the damaged pond liner, upgrade the access, replace the benches, upgrade the steps, and extend the dipping platform. These improvements together with ongoing working parties will ensure this lovely space continues to offer a biodiverse habitat for wildlife and informal space for local people and visitors.
Pond wildlife which can be found here include amphibians such as smooth newts, common frogs, and common toads. They will use this pond for breeding in spring and summer, but during the autumn and winter months they will move back on land to feed and hibernate. Once young amphibians metamorphosise in the water, from their aquatic tadpole stage to their terrestrial adult stage, they will leave the pond at the end of summer to feed and grow on land.
Thank you to the local community for their participation and donations, and to the following organisations for their support.
