- Ruperra on the television
The BBC filmed at Ruperra in 2005 (see article below). The results were recently (November 2007) screened as part of the "Nature in Britain" series. We have some photos taken during the shoot.
- Community Art Workshop
- Art work in Coed Ruperra. Louise Shenstone and Maureen O'Kane of Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Arts Team directed a summer workshop for local people as part of the Cydcoed funded project to make the most of our woodlands. Go to this page to see some photos.
- Save the Castle Blog
- A blog has been started to keep you up-to-date with events in the campaign to save Ruperra Castle.
- The Woodland Festival
This took place during the weekend 8th-9th July
We have a photo-gallery of some of the events.
- Book Launch
- The launch of the book “Serving Under Ruperra” was a great success. Go to this page to see an article and photos.
- The Trust has a new Patron
- After being approached by Trust chairman Phil Bevan, Simon Boyle, Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, paid a visit to Coed Craig Ruperra and kindly agreed to be our patron. For a background article and picture go to this page.
- Ruperra Castle - planning
- In November 2005 the owner of Ruperra Castle, Mr Barakat was given three months by Caerphilly County Council Planning Department to finalise his application for new housing on the site. If satisfactory, it should come before the Planning Committee in February 2006.
- The BBC at Coed Ruperra
In October 2005 Ruperra Conservation Trust was delighted to welcome a BBC production unit with presenter Iolo Williams at Coed Ruperra. Various activities, including cherry laurel management being carried out by the Trust's volunteers, dormouse conservation, and early morning bird ringing on site, were all captured on film for a forthcoming new series of Alan Titchmarsh's “Nature in Britain”.
This shows recognition of the importance of Coed Ruperra in the world of nature and we are only sorry that we have to wait until 2007 before the programme appears on our screens.
- New Chairman of the Trust
County Councillor Phil Bevan was elected as chairman of Ruperra Conservation Trust at the AGM in October 2005, succeeding John Curteis who retired from the Trust this year due to his commitments as Vice Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan.
Phil represents Morgan Jones ward in Caerphilly and was Cabinet member for Education and Leisure during Plaid Cymru's tenure of office 1999 to 2004. He will take up the post of Mayor of Caerphilly Town Council for the third time in May this year. He is committed to preserving the natural and historic heritage of South East Wales and particularly Ruperra.
- New Woodland Manager
- Alex Coxhead was appointed to the post of Woodland Manager in June 2005. Alex brings substantial and valuable experience of woodland management and conservation, much of it accumulated during his work for the Glamorgan Wildlife Trust (which later became part of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales) and, more recently, his work for RSPB Cymru. Alex has developed an interest in history, and is enthusiastic about the combination of broadleaved woodland management and archaeological conservation which his new job offers. We look forward to working with him.