About Us
The Friends group is a not-for-profit organisation run by a committee of volunteers and governed by our constituition (available on request).
We work with the Community Park Rangers in protecting and maintaining Forest Farm and the remains of the Glamorganshire Canal.
During the last few years the Friends working with Cardiff County Council have created a series of ponds, scrapes and wetlands which encouraged water loving birds to feed and nest on them. These can be viewed from two bird hides, which have contributed greatly to the enjoyment of visitors as has the improved access and disabled facilities. A winter-feeding area for birds was established in 2001 and is very popular.
Forest farm, including the Local Nature reserve was designated a Country park in 1992 thereby increasing the area covered by the friends to over 150 acres. The western boundary of the park is the River Taff and the Friends have agreed to look after a keep clean and tidy a 2.5 Kilometre stretch of the River bank.
All of this area is under constant threat from developments on its borders, developments that could harm the Country Park if not stopped, curtailed or modified to be environmentally friendly. This is an essential part of the friends work and over the years we have been successful in either stopping or major concessions from these developers. That is why it is essential the there is an organisation able to stand up to developers and present a case from a position of strength and commitment.
The membership of the friends is presently c250 families and organisations (application form on next page) and there would be a warm welcome to any wishing to join and help keep this wonderful locality for the enjoyment of the public.
The Friends join with the RSPB for a walk around the reserve from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm on the third Saturday of each month, to learn about the flora and fauna, and to recognise and record the birds that use the reserve. Other walks are arranged during the summer while in the winter talks and social events are help indoors. A three monthly newsletter and a yearly programme are also available.
Renewal
In recent years we have suffered from some members not renewing their membership and we hope for most people it is simply a case of forgetting.
To help with this we are introducing a way to renew online using the Paypal system.
Paypal
Paypal is probably the most used online payment system. It is safe, secure and offers a buyers protection policy.
You can renew your membership with the button below to set up an annual subscription.
If you're not already a paypal user then why not sign up today.
Alternatively...download and print
You can fill in a membership form online, print it off and send it in the post together with your cheque. Please do not send cash in the post.
Newsletter
Members receive a copy of our latest newsletter before it is made available freely on the website or at our events.
When you become a member you can chose between having the newsletter emailed to you in PDF format or receive the paper copy which we are happy to deliver to your door.
