Twenty years in the making
The story of Blaeneinion: a steep hillside near Machynlleth, slowly turned back into woodland, wetland and a home for the wild.
Where it began
Blaeneinion began a long way from this valley, in the community gardens of north London. Back in the late 1990s, in the days of Local Agenda 21, I found myself growing food with my neighbours and learning how even a city can make a little room for nature. I did not really grasp at the time that I had joined something much bigger.
I trained in permaculture with Naturewise in 1999, and in 2000 I started Plot 21, a community allotment at the foot of Alexandra Palace. After fifteen years of growing alongside London schools and a city farm, I was lucky enough to find the funding to do something far larger, and in 2008 we began here.
Blaeneinion is 75 acres at the head of the Artists Valley, near Machynlleth. In the years since, it has become a labour of love: a steep hillside slowly turned back into woodland, wetland and a place where wildlife and folk can share the same quiet ground.
Slow, patient work
Over the years we have planted around 34,000 native trees, alongside a 2.5-acre forest garden with around 100 fruit and nut cultivars and some 800 soft-fruit bushes. It is slow, patient work, and it is still going on, season after season.
Along the way
Drawn into community food-growing in north London, in the days of Local Agenda 21.
Trained in permaculture with Naturewise in London.
Started Plot 21, a community allotment at the foot of Alexandra Palace.
Began Blaeneinion: 75 acres of mid-Wales hillside to plant and restore.
A family of beavers came to live in the valley.
Honoured with the River Restoration Centre's River Champion status, for the wetland the beavers have made.
Beavers recognised as a native species in Wales, with legal protection at last. Blaeneinion is a small, quiet part of that bigger story.
On film and in the press
The valley and its beavers have found their way onto film, radio and the page over the years. We are gathering the links together here.
A short film featuring our beavers and the quiet return of these creatures to Welsh rivers. You can watch it over on the beavers page.
Footage from the early days of the beavers coming to live in the valley.
Watch or readThe best of the story is the place itself, on a quiet evening with the beavers feeding by the fire pit. You are very welcome.
