This website has been developed by volunteers within BALM with financial assistance from Carmarthenshire County Council, historical information from Oxford University and Dyfed Areological Trust and funding from the European Union to help provide information for local schools, residents, and visitors on the heritage of the ancient forest of Glyn Cothi, currently known as Brechfa Forest and Llanllwni Mountain. The Woodland Trust have also kindly given us permission to provide links to their suggestions for free activities for children and families visiting the countryside.

The culture and landscape of a forest based community is very different to that of an agricultural based society. Before records began our community was established by sharing the benefits and work of caring for our forest.   Throughout the centuries the Norman Invasion, National politics and more recently technological advances have changed the way our forest supports our community,   but have never diminished its central role in the communities identity and existence.

Our aim in developing this website is to start to raise awareness of the heritage of this ancient forest and its importance in the history of Wales and the UK over the centuries. We not only wish to make it easy for people to plan their own walks,   rides or family days out in the area,   but also ensure that the forest and mountain continue to support employment by encouraging people to visit village shops, pubs or stay in accommodation in the villages encircling the site of the Ancient Forest of Glyn Cothi.

Sustainable tourism supporting the development of sustainable communities where the money spent by visitors supports the creation of employment opportunities are currently key phrases in Welsh Government and UK Government policy.   Our forest has played that role within our community for over 800 years. To continue that tradition,   volunteers have committed to maintain this website.

BALM consists of  a group of volunteers working together on projects for the benefit of the community and there is currently no charge for membership.

As a result of Covid -19  we  removed all tourism businesses from the links on this website.  As the Welsh Government announces that tourism businesses can reopen the links to members websites will be replaced.

BALM have recently been appointed a grant by Brechfa Forest West Windfarm community benefit fund to develop additional resources to support visitors and tourists recreational use of Brechfa Forest and Llanllwni Mountain.  These resources are currently being developed on this website,   and will be formally launched when the grant authority has approved them.

At present we work on an informal basis donating our time to for the benefit of the community as a whole.   We do plan to move on to registered charity status.   Once this occurs we will have additional overheads in producing the accounts for companies house so there will have to be a small charge for membership.

If you would like to suggest any additional information or links to other projects, or have any questions about membership of BALM please contact us.

Datblygwyd y wefan hon gan wirfoddolwyr o fewn BALM gyda chymorth ariannol gan Gyngor Sir Gaerfyrddin, gwybodaeth hanesyddol gan brifysgol Rhyd-Uchen a Chronfa Archaeolegol Dyfed, ynghyd a chyllid gan yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Ein bwriad ydi darparu gwybodaeth i ysgolion lleol, preswylwyr, ac ymwelwyr â choedwig hynnafol Glyn Cothi. Mae Coed Cadw wedi ein caniatau i hysbysu y gweithgareddau sydd ar gael am ddim I bawb.

Mae tirwedd, a hunaniaeth cymuned goedwigol yn wahannol iawn i gymuned amaethyddol. Mae hanes ein cymuned wedi ei gwreiddio yng nghadwraeth y goedwig. Dros y canrifoedd mae sawl esblygiad neu ddigwyddiad wedi newid y berthynas rhwng y goedwig a’r gymuned- boed hynnu’n Goncwest Normanaidd, Chwyldro diwylliannol neu datblygiadau diweddar y byd modern, er hyn mae’r goedwig yn parhau yn ran gannolog o’n bywoliaeth.

Gobeithiwn i’r wefan fod o fudd i ymwelwyr a thwristiaid drwy fod yn hwb hawdd ei defnyddio, ar y cŷd a bod yn fuddiol i fusnesau lleol a ddibynnai ar y twristiaid megis tafarndai, siopa leol a gwestâi o amgylch Glyn Cothi.

Mae twristiaeth cynnaladwy a gefnogai ein cymuneadu yn holl bwysig yn lygaid Bae Caerdydd a San Steffan hefyd. Mae ein coedwig wedi chwarae ei rhan dros y canrifoedd, a hoffem fel gwirfoddolwir wneud yn sicr fod hyn yn parhau i fod yn wir yn y dyfodol.

Mae BALM yn grŵp o wirfoddolwyr sydd yn cydweithio ar briosectau er mwyn bod o fudd i’r gymuned leol felly nid oes rhaid talu am aelodaeth.

Fe dynnwyd linciau busnesau oddi ar y wefan oherwydd Cofid19. Pan fydd polisiau Llywodraeth Cymru yn codi y cyfyngiadau Cofid fe fyddom yn eu ail argraffu.

Yn ddiweddar fe apwyntwyd grant i BALM gan Brechfa Forest West Windfarm er mwyn datblygu’r wefan. Fe gawn lawnsio’r datblygiadau pan fydd yr awdurdodaeth grantiau yn eu hawlio.

Yn bresennol rydym yn gweithio yn anffurfiol fel gwwirfoddolwyr er mwyn y gymuned gyfan. Ein bwriad yw symud ymlaen fel Elusen Gofrestredig. Yn sgil hyn fe fydd angen gofyn tâl aelodaeth.

Os oes unrhyw wybodaeth pellach, neu awgrymiadau, neu gwestiynnau ganddoch ynglyn a BALM cysyllltwch a ni.