A free woodland heritage day will be held at the Plas, Machynlleth, on Wednesday, 12 December.

Woodlands have always been an important part of the landscape and culture of the Dyfi Valley.

Trees and timber have shaped peoples’ lives throughout history, providing vital flows of firewood, tanbark and charcoal and as the source of raw material to build houses, barns and boats, not to mention supporting the livelihoods of farmers, foresters and the wider community.

Now Coed Cadw (Woodland Trust) is compiling a history of woodland usage in Dyfi Valley and is organising a special, free woodland heritage day in Machynlleth to gather stories, histories, facts or tales, so they can be passed down to future generations.

Dave Crowley is leading this work, as a volunteer heritage researcher for Coed Cadw.

He said: “I’ve been working with source material from local archives and historical records as well as photographs and existing timber frame buildings.

“We’ll be telling story about the vital role woodlands have played in the history of the Dyfi Valley. However, a crucial element could be missing.

“We need your stories to bring this narrative to life and to make it a people’s history.

“Did you or someone in your family work in the forestry in the past?

“Are there woodlands or significant trees on your farm, next to your house or near your village or town?

“Is there a story or tale about a particular wood that is special to you?

“We would like to hear what you have to say about woodlands, forests and trees from the source of the Dyfi all the way to the mouth of the estuary through time from the distant past to the present day.”

Coed Cadw is inviting everyone who’s interested to go and meet them in Y Plas, Machynlleth on 12 December from 11am to 3pm to share their stories and recollections.

See this week’s Machynlleth & Llanidloes paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now