A PLEA has gone out for residents of the Ammanford and Llandeilo who would be interested in maintaining local woodlands in exchange for firewood.

The Green Valleys Community Interest Company is looking to start a group in the area and is seeking members.

“Many of our local woodlands are now no longer properly looked after,” said Gareth Ellis of Green Valleys.

“Our woodlands have suffered as a result, becoming dark and overgrown, with poorly growing, crowded trees.

“Bringing woodlands back into sustainable management improves the quality of the habitat for wildlife while creating a local supply of renewable fuel and material.”

Green Valleys has already helped set up six community woodland groups in and around the Brecon Beacons and the group is now looking to expand its operation around Llandeilo and Ammanford.

Members receive training in woodland management, how to organise and operate safely, have management plans prepared for the woodlands and enjoy continued support and assistance.

“Some groups are now into their fifth year, have made a huge difference to local woods and have saved over 40000kg of carbon emissions and lots of cash by replacing oil, electricity and gas with locally sourced firewood,” said Gareth.

Anyone interested in joining such a group, particularly if they have some woodland that they would like to have managed for them, is invited to a meeting sponsored by Transition Town Llandeilo on September 3 at the Angel, Llandeilo, from 8pm.

For more details contact Gareth at gareth.ellis@thegreenvalleys.org or telephone David Thorpe 07901 925671.