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We want to say a sincere thank you for supporting Longwood timber over the past few months. The mill has been exceptionally busy, and that’s entirely due to your continued trust in our locally sourced, sustainably managed products. Every order, whether for a large project or a single board, helps keep the mill thriving and the woodland cared for.

🦉 How Your Timber Purchases Support the Woodland

When you choose timber from Longwood, you’re doing far more than buying materials. You’re directly supporting the long‑term management of Longwood Community Woodland. All income from timber sales goes straight back into improving biodiversity, restoring habitats, maintaining paths, and enhancing visitor facilities. Your support helps us protect wildlife, improve access, and ensure the woodland remains a welcoming place for everyone.

🌍 Sustainability at the Heart of Our Work

Sustainability guides every decision we make. By choosing timber grown and milled right here in Longwood, you help reduce transport miles, lower carbon emissions, and support a circular local economy. Nothing is wasted. From sawlogs to boards, from roundwood to firewood, every part of each tree is used with care and purpose. This responsible approach benefits both nature and the community.

🌳 Your Support Secures Longwood’s Future

Your custom keeps the mill active, the woodland healthy, and the future of Longwood secure. Thank you for supporting Longwood timber and for helping us protect this special place for generations to come.

If you’d like to discuss a project or place an order, click here!

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This week our volunteers enjoyed a brilliant morning with Carys from the West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre (WWBIC). She returned to Longwood to share her expertise in identifying local wildlife, and her enthusiasm made the whole session engaging from the start. Because Carys knows our local species so well, she guided the group through the woodland with confidence and ease.

Listening for Birdsong

We began by learning how to recognise some of our resident birds by their song. As we walked along the paths, Carys encouraged everyone to pause, listen and notice the subtle differences between calls. She explained how birds use sound to communicate, defend territory and attract mates. This gentle activity helped volunteers connect more deeply with the woodland and appreciate how much life is happening around them.

Exploring Woodland Species

After exploring birdsong, we turned our attention to other species found at Longwood. Carys introduced us to woodland plants, mosses, insects and several other small but important indicators of a healthy ecosystem. With her guidance, volunteers slowed down, looked more closely and discovered details they might otherwise have missed. These moments highlighted just how rich and varied the biodiversity at Longwood truly is.

Recording Wildlife with LERC Wales

Next, Carys demonstrated how to record the species we found using the LERC Wales app. This simple tool allows anyone to submit wildlife sightings, which are then added to a national database. These records play a vital role in monitoring biodiversity across Wales. They also help conservation organisations understand how species are changing over time and where support is most needed.

Get Involved at Longwood

We’re grateful to Carys for sharing her knowledge once again, and to our volunteers for their curiosity and enthusiasm. If you’d like to find out more about volunteering at Longwood, visit our volunteer page and join us for one of our Tuesday sessions. Everyone is welcome, and no experience is needed.

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Bluebells in British Folklore

For generations, bluebells have been surrounded by British folklore. Many old stories describe bluebell woods as enchanted places filled with mystery.
According to tradition, bluebells were said to be fairy flowers. Their delicate bells were believed to ring when fairies gathered, calling one another through the trees. Some tales warned that hearing a bluebell ring meant you were being summoned into the fairy realm. Others claimed that bluebells marked fairy paths, where travellers could easily lose their way if they wandered too far.

In some regions, people called them “dead man’s bells”, believing that picking them brought bad luck. Although the superstition sounds dramatic, it likely came from a real truth: bluebells are fragile, and once damaged, they struggle to return.

These stories add a sense of magic to the display, and it’s easy to understand why. Standing among the bluebells in Longwood, with soft light and birdsong all around, the woodland feels like a place where folklore could come alive.

Protecting the Bluebells in Longwood

Bluebells take five to seven years to grow from seed to flower. Because they are so delicate, even a few footsteps off the path can damage them. To help protect the bluebells in Longwood:
• Please stay on the marked paths
• Keep dogs close
• Avoid stepping into the flowers
• Enjoy the display without disturbing it

These small actions help the bluebells return year after year.

The Best Time to Visit

The bluebells in Longwood are at their peak for only a few weeks between late March and early May. Early mornings and late afternoons offer the softest light and the quietest moments. Whether you come for a peaceful walk, photography, or simply to enjoy the beauty of spring, this is one of the woodland’s most magical times.

Share Your Bluebell Photos

We love seeing Longwood through your eyes. If you capture photos of the bluebells, feel free to share them with us on social media. Your images help celebrate the woodland and the community that cares for it.

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🌸 Planting Over 200 Saplings for Our New Blossom Walk

The team got straight to work. They planted more than 200 young saplings to launch our new blossom walk. This project boosts biodiversity, strengthens habitats, and creates a colourful seasonal feature for everyone who visits Longwood.
We chose a diverse mix of blossom‑rich species. Each one adds colour, resilience, and value to wildlife. As these trees mature, they will transform the path into a bright corridor of spring blossom. Visitors will be able to walk beneath clouds of colour, enjoy the scent of flowering trees, and feel more connected to the woodland throughout the year.

🤝 Community, Collaboration, and Corporate Volunteering

Groundwork Wales and the National Grid brought energy and teamwork from the moment they arrived. They worked efficiently, supported one another, and kept spirits high throughout the day. Their hard work gave this project a strong start, and we’re incredibly grateful for their contribution.
Corporate volunteer days like this help us care for Longwood’s woodlands. They allow us to expand conservation work, improve habitats, and create new features for visitors. They also give teams a meaningful way to spend time outdoors, build connections, and support a community‑run woodland.

🌱 Looking Ahead — And How You Can Get Involved

These saplings will grow into a beautiful, wildlife‑friendly blossom walk that will brighten Olwen Wood for years to come. Thanks to everyone who joined us, this vision is already taking shape.

If you would like to arrange a volunteer day for your team, get in touch — we’d love to welcome you to Longwood and work together to grow something special.

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Today, our community came together for an important task: ash sapling relocation. A group of dedicated volunteers helped move young ash trees that were at risk of being destroyed during essential forestry works. Thanks to their hard work, these healthy saplings now have a safe new home where they can grow and thrive.

Why Ash Sapling Relocation Matters

Ash trees have faced enormous pressure in recent years. Ash dieback has devastated woodlands across the UK, leaving behind gaps in our landscapes and reducing biodiversity. Because of this, protecting healthy and disease‑resistant ash saplings is more important than ever.

Relocating these young trees gives them the best possible chance to mature. Each sapling represents hope for the long‑term recovery of ash populations. By saving them today, we’re helping to secure a more resilient woodland for tomorrow.

A Huge Thank You to Our Volunteers

Our volunteers approached the task with patience, care, and real enthusiasm. They carefully lifted each sapling, preserved the roots, and replanted them in a safer location. It was thoughtful, hands‑on work, and every person who joined us made a meaningful difference.

Your time, energy, and commitment have ensured that these ash saplings can continue to grow. You didn’t just move trees — you helped protect a species that has shaped British woodlands for centuries.

Looking Ahead

We’re excited to watch these saplings develop in their new home. With continued community support, we can protect more young trees, strengthen our woodland, and create a healthier environment for future generations.

If today’s work has inspired you and you’d like to get involved in future activities, we’d love to hear from you. You can find out how to volunteer with us here

Thank you once again to everyone who took part in today’s ash sapling relocation. Your efforts truly matter. 🌱💚

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On Saturday, our Biodiversity and Engagement Officer, Beth, joined our friends from Lampeter Family Centre for the Saint David’s Day Parade Lampeter. As the parade began, the town quickly filled with colour, music, and movement. Families gathered along the streets, and children waved flags and carried bright banners. Because the event celebrates Wales’ national day, the atmosphere felt especially warm and proud. The parade is always a highlight; however, this year felt even more connected, as many familiar faces joined in and greeted one another along the route.

🐦 Walking Together Through Town

Beth walked with the Lampeter Family Centre team and spoke with parents, carers, and supporters throughout the morning. As conversations flowed, the sense of community grew stronger. Being present at events like this matters to us, since the community sits at the heart of Longwood. These shared moments—walking, talking, and celebrating—build trust and deepen relationships. Moreover, taking part in the Saint David’s Day Parade Lampeter allowed us to show our support for a partner organisation that works tirelessly for local families.

🌳 Community at the Centre of Longwood

Saint David’s Day celebrates Welsh culture, language, and community spirit. Because these values guide our work all year, the parade felt like a natural place for us to be. We support families as they explore the woodland, run biodiversity sessions, and work with local groups on events and projects. Through each activity, we aim to bring people closer to nature and to one another. We’re grateful to Lampeter Family Centre for inviting us to join them again. Their dedication inspires us, and we always enjoy working alongside them. We hope everyone who joined the parade—or cheered from the pavement—had a brilliant day. Diolch yn fawr, Lampeter!

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In the weeks before the visit, our volunteers worked hard to clear and prepare the garden. Because of their effort, the space was ready for families to get involved as soon as they arrived. Children explored the area and learned why wildflowers matter. They also enjoyed taking part in a project that will continue to grow throughout the year. As a result, the session felt both fun and meaningful for everyone involved.

The seeds planted during the visit will bring colour and movement to the garden as the seasons change. As the flowers bloom, they will attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This will support local wildlife and increase biodiversity across the woodland. In addition, the new wildflower patch will add a bright, sensory‑rich feature to our Dragon Sensory Trail giving families even more to discover on future visits. It will therefore become a space that encourages curiosity, calm, and connection with nature.

Events like this show how valuable community partnerships can be. We’re grateful to Lampeter Family Centre for joining us, and we’re equally thankful to the volunteers who made the activity possible. Watching the children take part with such enthusiasm was a lovely reminder of how important these shared outdoor moments are for building confidence and nurturing a love of the natural world.
We’re excited to see the wildflowers grow over the coming months. Afterwards, we look forward to welcoming families back to enjoy the garden as it changes through the year.

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First, attendees reviewed the year just gone. This included developments within the Welsh timber industry and the wider market. Next, the group discussed current challenges. These included timber supply, sustainability, and skills across the sector. Importantly, the AGM also looked ahead to future opportunities for Welsh-grown timber.

In addition, attendees discussed the latest Confor manifesto, produced for the Welsh Government ahead of this year’s Senedd election. The discussion focused on how policy could better support forestry, woodland management, and the wider timber supply chain in Wales. For more details, the manifesto can be viewed on the Confor website here. This gave sawmillers a valuable chance to share their views and consider the sector’s priorities in the years ahead.

Supporting the Welsh Timber Sector

As a business committed to the Welsh forestry and sawmilling sector, Longwood was pleased to host the AGM. The venue offered a practical and welcoming environment. Because of this, discussions were open, constructive, and well informed.

Moreover, bringing Welsh sawmillers together remains essential. The industry continues to face economic pressures and changing regulations. At the same time, demand for sustainable, locally sourced materials is increasing. Therefore, collaboration across the sector is more important than ever.

Face-to-face meetings allow businesses to share knowledge. They also help build stronger relationships. In addition, they encourage new ideas and partnerships that support long-term resilience. Attendees were also able to tour Longwood’s own sawmill facilities, seeing firsthand how local timber is processed and managed sustainably.

Collaboration and Industry Connections

Alongside the formal AGM agenda, time was set aside for networking. These informal conversations were equally valuable. They allowed sawmillers to share experiences, compare approaches, and discuss common challenges.

Furthermore, the AGM highlighted the importance of working together. By collaborating, Welsh sawmills can support local forestry. They can also reduce reliance on imported timber. In turn, this strengthens local supply chains and promotes sustainable practices.

Finally, the meeting reinforced a shared commitment to the future of the timber industry in Wales. Through continued cooperation, the sector can remain adaptable, resilient, and forward-looking.

Longwood would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to a successful AGM. We are proud to support events that promote Welsh timber, local sawmills and sustainable forestry, and we look forward to hosting similar industry gatherings in the future.

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