Understanding A History of Council Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome back. Today, we embark on a journey and let me start by saying: "I am not anti-authority, nor am I anti-governance. I strongly believe in the foundations laid by our ancestral past. That being said, I believe that council, in my eyes, should stand as a privilege to manage through its people and within its territory. It comes with honourable prestige, but also a heavy price. Those in power should never take it for granted. The concept of democracy starts within the council’s operations it should stand for a service that fosters prosperity for its people." In today’s blog, let’s explore the origins of council, and how it has been shaped across the tides of history. Going Back In TIme: The Origins Of Council Going Back In Time: The Origins of Council Many people may not know that the very first Councils or local government bodies did not begin purely as democratic institutions. In the early stages, especially during the Indu

A Petiton For Action: Bonus Blog: The Petition That Planted A Seed – Rewilding Pont-Y-Pandy Begins Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome back again Sometimes, change doesn’t start with thunder or spectacle but with quiet, determined footsteps through woodlands. Over the years, I’ve walked those trails in Pont-Y-Pandy more times than I can count. Watched bramble reclaim forgotten paths. Watched syringes sparkle in ditches where there should’ve been snowdrops. And every time I returned, the land spoke a little louder. Not in words, no but in need. It was 2019 when I first made the call to action public. Not a political outcry or polished press release, just a straightforward message carried from the woodland floor to the digital commons: let us rewild. And so, with little more than a local's heart and a lifetime's worth of learning, I launched a petition to give permission official permission to rewild Pont-Y-Pandy Woodlands. Click here to read and support the petition This wasn’t just about pla

The Leap Into The Unknown. The Journey So Far Ladies and Gentlemen welcome back and today we explore more into the journey so far, In the early days, my path was one of quiet observation and gentle steps. I chronicled the whispers of the woods, the silent encroachments of neglect, and the subtle signs of imbalance. Each blog post served as a stepping stone, guiding me deeper into understanding the delicate harmony of Pont-Y-Pandy Woodlands. From the initial stirrings of concern to the realization of a community's potential, The narrative has been one of awakening and preparation since our starting point of this blog. As time flowed, it became evident that observation alone would not suffice. The woodland's cries grew louder, echoed by the community's rising unease. I reached out, extending hands to local organizations and the council. The woods, once a haven, had become a site of desecration, burnt waste and discarded needles marring its sanctity. My appeals found resonance. local poli

A Deep Sadness & A New Beginning Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome back. As we continue our shared journey into the past, I must confess revisiting these moments has stirred emotions I thought long settled. But we are not alone in this. Together, we're walking through it, step by step. It wasn’t long after the events of "Researching With Luna" that everything shifted. In my mid-20s, life turned sharply, and the days grew heavy with questions I wasn’t ready to answer. I needed direction, something to anchor me. So I dug deep isolated myself, focused solely on finding a sense of purpose. I won't shy away from saying it: I struggled. Deeply. But I endured. I overcame. And I learned, as we often do, that we are rarely as alone as we believe. Decomposing Waste & A Deep Sadness What followed were weeks of painful solitude. A life once crowded with family chaos became a silent echo chamber. Everything that could go wrong… did. Murphy’s Law became more than just a phrase it was my lived reality. I

The Days Of Change Begin: Introduction Ladies and Gentlemen, today’s journey brings us to the quiet canopy of the Pont-Y-Pandy Woodlands a place filled with both beauty and memory. It’s here, walking among trees and turning leaves, that our story of research and rewilding truly began. But before this path was clear, life as it often does took a sharp turn. You see, Pont-Y-Pandy wasn't just a woodland. It became a turning point. At one time, my world looked much like anyone else's steady work, a loving family, and dreams waiting patiently to unfold. Like many parents, all I wanted was to give my children the best I could: knowledge, kindness, and an education shaped by the natural world around us. I wanted to show them the richness of our land, to share pride in being Welsh, and to lend a helping hand to our communities. Then, everything changed. Shortly after one of the most cherished photos was taken, tragedy struck. My world turned upside down. A family breakdown followed by silence

Ladies and Gentlemen, today’s blog takes us somewhere both familiar and foundational... My journey into the Pont-Y-Pandy Woodlands didn’t begin as some may expect. It wasn’t born of formal research or environmental planning it began with something far more personal: a deep-rooted love for both commercial and nature photography. In Pont-Y-Pandy i found this small patch of woodland that became my open-air classroom. I was working toward my professional photography diploma at the time, and Pont-Y-Pandy was the ideal location off the beaten path, unseen by my peers, and full of character. But what struck me week after week wasn’t just the light through the trees or the seasonal textures it was the litter. So much of it. What was meant to be a photography study often turned into a clean-up mission. Half my time would go into clearing the scene before I could even press the shutter. And yet, I stayed. I was eager for a challenge, and this location had a uniqueness that couldn’t be replicated