In Beddau in Rhondda Cynon Taff, a group came together to explore the changing landscape of Wales, by learning about the rewilding of ex-industrial sites and drawing inspiration from nature to create art. Spoil tips from coal mining are not usually thought of as one of the glories of the Welsh countryside, but these spoils support an impressive array of species and can be particularly rich in invertebrates. Buglife’s Conservation Officer Liam Olds says “Colliery spoil sites are often regarded as unsightly areas of land that are devoid of life. This couldn’t be further from the truth! They are in fact places of incredible beauty which harbour complex ecosystems for many rare and threatened species”. The Cwm Colliery Coke Works site in Beddua, Rhondda Cynon Taff, South Wales, is one of these surprisingly biodiverse sites. Since the cokeworks were closed, a mosaic of habitats has developed on the spoil tips, transforming the once barren land into a thriving ecosystem. Dry and wet habitats weave together to provide opportunities for a wealth of wildlife, including declining butterfly species, bees, beetles and spiders, as well as reptiles, birds and small mammals. It is even home to the ‘Beddau Beast’, a tiny white millepede only found in Beddau and the Spanish Pyrenees! After a talk from Carys from Buglife Cymru, learning about the history of the site and its importance to the community as well as the animals that can now be found there, the group took a walk to view the abandoned Cwm Colliery site, recently earmarked for future development as a housing estate. The group then examined how it has since been reclaimed by nature with a guided ‘spoilheap safari’ by BugLife, looking for minibeasts. Cath said “My favourite thing was the trip to Cwm Colliery. I’d never been before, I was excited when I caught a butterfly and sang ‘Let it go’ as I watched it fly away.”

With the help of mosaic artist Justine Stroud, the group then created personalised mosaics of their own initials, reflecting the unexpected beauty to be found in their local environment. Everyone then worked together to paint a mural of the coke works featuring flowers, butterflies, bugs and of course the Beddau Beast. The lettering is in the shape of the abandoned cokeworks, currently an unmissable silhouette in the heart of the village, but it is overshadowed by the riot of colour and creativity as the natural world takes over from the industrial past. It presents a bright vision of a post-industrial landscape as a cherished nature reserve, bursting with life, an unexpected and entirely natural coda to what is otherwise a story of decline and destruction. Life has found a way, as one participant said, and as the group continues to explore their local history, they hope to protect it for a greener future.

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Ysbryd Y Mor is a residential home where every room has a beach/sea view. We hired Newport photographer Rhys Webber to visit with a portable photography studio and shoot portraits of anyone who was happy to sit for one. Rhys can’t keep his mouth closed when he shoots – he prefers to engage, ask questions and connect with his sitter to get the best portrait he can.

So instead of stock ‘say cheese’ poses, we get to see a little of the personality of each sitter.

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