Bedford Park Nature Reserve, enveloping 18 hectares of green space and ruins of the 18th century Cefn Cribwr Ironworks, is set to benefit from improved access arrangements, with works already underway.
Led by the council’s Green Space Enhancement team in collaboration with the Conservation and Design team, and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the project features extensive access improvements throughout the park, including within the area of the ancient monument, Bedford Ironworks. Additionally, the transformative project will also create designated zones, including a wellbeing space and picnic area.
The Bedford Ironworks, a site of exceptional heritage value in Wales, offers a unique glimpse into the industrial past of the region. Established in the early 19th century, the ironworks played a vital role in the production of iron, utilising local coal and limestone resources. Today, its preserved features provide an invaluable link to the nation’s industrial history, making it a key location for heritage tourism and education.
Port Talbot based contractors, Emroch Landscapes, under the expert oversight of Whittington Landscapes Ltd, have been enlisted to complete the works and will ensure that this sensitive site is carefully managed, whilst creating a space that is more accessible and inclusive.
Other contributors to the project include artist, Ami Marsden, who has been working closely with pupils from Cynffig Comprehensive School to design bespoke oak benches for the park. Pupils have spent time in workshops hand carving their own designs following site visits to Bedford Park for inspiration. Marsden has also designed Corten steel panels as a part of the site transformation.
Local historians and green stewards from Y Cefn Gwyrdd, a volunteer community group dedicated to the conservation of the ironworks for over forty years, have also been involved in the scheme. Representatives, John and Carole Mason, have been instrumental in working with the local authority to develop new bilingual materials for the site, as well as an education pack for schools, to ensure visitors can fully appreciate its history and significance.
“Bedford Ironworks is an incredible piece of our local heritage, and this project is an opportunity to tell its story in new, engaging ways. Our hope is that the improvements will inspire visitors of all ages to connect with the site’s history and its role in shaping our community.”
“This project demonstrates the power of partnerships in delivering meaningful change. From enhancing wildlife habitats to creating inclusive community spaces and celebrating our heritage, Bedford Park Nature Reserve will be a true community asset that serves both people and nature in equal measure.”
