VOLUNTEERS have been springing into action at Woodland Trust property Cefn Ila.

Thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund project at the site, which used to house a maternity hospital, many opportunities to engage with wildlife and history are blossoming.

People have had the chance to learn how to graft in the wonderful setting of Cefn Ila and the event was fully booked.

Despite rain and wind a hardy bunch learnt how to graft fruit trees with Woodland Trust community development officer Amelia Lake.

The public who attended not only went home with an apple tree but also new skills.

Volunteers, staff and the public have grafted almost 200 trees this year as part of the plan to restock the orchard at Cefn Ila.

This has also seen support for the restoration of orchards locally and the reinvigoration of a culture of food growing.

In the safe hands of experienced staff, attendees were guided through the principles of grafting and shown how to make their own apple trees.

With the support of volunteers the budding grafters then had the opportunity to hone their skills, grafting numerous trees using the traditional methods coupled with some new technology for a good likelihood of success.

Unbeaten by the weather people left appreciative of the chance to learn an ancient and sustainable skill and had the tree to prove it.

Volunteers not only grafted their own trees but also participated in the restoration of the unique site at Cefn Ila where many local people were born.

The orchard has a wide variety of veteran apples and perry pears.

Amelia Lake said: "The orchard has impressively old trees, and volunteers and the public are helping us ensure that there are apples and pears growing here for many years to come.

"We aim to bring this site to life with events like the grafting, by making it more accessible and with some exciting new interpretation."

The grafting event was just the first of a programme of events which will continue on Sunday 26th April with the opportunity to learn about foraging and wild flowers on the diverse site.

Local experts will show visitors the myriad of wild flowers on the site and then be treated to a foraging walk to get to grips with the wild food in the Welsh countryside.

On Sunday 16th May visitors are invited to learn how to identify birds by their call and discover the bats that live at Cefn Ila.

Amelia said: "We are keen for Cefn Ila to be at the heart of the community again and hope that people enjoy the events and get involved through volunteering and exploring the site."

To book on to the flowers and foraging event or find out more,

email cefnila@woodland

trust.org.uk, call 0843 770 5566 or visit http://www.cefnila.wordpress">www.cefnila.wordpress.

com